Self Acceptance

Tool used: Storytelling

Challenge & Selection

I spend a major part of my time on research in any design or photography project to  empathize with the stakeholders involved. And to do that I often use storytelling as a tool to  bond with the people which most of the times helps them identify their real problem and  then they work around it. One such example is about a friend of mine who is not familiar to  design thinking; she had a very restricted and a worry-some approach towards life and  herself, like she doesn’t like herself mentally or physically. One of the major concerns  according to her was of her being overweight.

Application

So I happen to be a lean & thin guy, and hence I started with a story of my own, that how I  too had similar thoughts due to my physical appearance and how overtime I evolved and  got over that stage of feeling lonely and worrying for every other thing. I told her that how a  simple act of acceptance of myself, that whatever I am is enough and with that I can do a  lot.

Insight

After listening to my story she started to open up and started with one of many instances of  her story that how everyone judges her as a person as mature or immature attitude towards  everything and her body. Eventually while talking, both of us learned about her that the  major concern in her case was she feared judgement and that, she always unintentionally  sought approval of others.

Approach

So we discussed about how can we work on the real issue in this case, and we came up with  a very simple approach that she can choose to learn different point of views about her from  others but it is herself that matters the most and she should try to accept herself first.

This course in particular has helped me not only in understanding the importance of  storytelling but also some important tools like mind mapping and how they play a major  role in applying design thinking in even our day to day life.


Self Acceptance Tool used : Storytelling Challenge & Selection I spend a major part of my time on research in any design or photography project to empathize with the stakeholders involved . And to do that I often use storytelling as a tool to bond with the people which most of the times helps them identify their real problem and then they work around it . One such example is about a friend of mine who is not familiar to design thinking ; she had a very restricted and a worry - some approach towards life and herself , like she does n’t like herself mentally or physically . One of the major concerns according to her was of her being overweight . Application So I happen to be a lean & thin guy , and hence I started with a story of my own , that how I too had similar thoughts due to my physical appearance and how overtime I evolved and got over that stage of feeling lonely and worrying for every other thing . I told her that how a simple act of acceptance of myself , that whatever I am is enough and with that I can do a lot . Insight After listening to my story she started to open up and started with one of many instances of her story that how everyone judges her as a person as mature or immature attitude towards everything and her body . Eventually while talking , both of us learned about her that the major concern in her case was she feared judgement and that , she always unintentionally sought approval of others . Approach So we discussed about how can we work on the real issue in this case , and we came up with a very simple approach that she can choose to learn different point of views about her from others but it is herself that matters the most and she should try to accept herself first . This course in particular has helped me not only in understanding the importance of storytelling but also some important tools like mind mapping and how they play a major role in applying design thinking in even our day to day life .