Spiral Journal
Each person folds a sheet into four quadrants and slowly draws a tight spiral in the centre, which calms the mind. Then they answer four prompts, one per quadrant, about a challenge or opportunity. They circle what stands out, share in pairs or trios, and the room looks for themes.
Use when you want people to think quietly and personally before a group conversation, and to give quieter people a way in.
Solves: Group discussion starts before anyone has had a moment to think, so the first idea spoken sets the agenda.
- 1
Step 1: Introduce the challenge or opportunity people will reflect on (1 min).
- 2
Step 2: Fold the paper into four quadrants and draw a slow, tight spiral in the centre (1-2 min).
- 3
Step 3: Answer four prompts, one per quadrant, about two minutes each (8 min).
- 4
Step 4: Read back over the page and circle what stands out (2 min).
- 5
Step 5: Share in pairs or trios (3 min).
- 6
Step 6: Whole group: what themes are we hearing? (3 min).
- Tell people every spiral is fine. Nobody is judging the drawing.
- Encourage writing without filtering; there is time to choose later.
- Keep the room quiet during the spiral and the prompts.
- Prompts such as: What must we protect? What must we resist? What must we invent? What must we let go of?
- Play quiet music during the drawing.