My T surprised me today by emptying out what I had thought was a merely decorative wicker box onto the floor. Toys! Lots of little characters and animals and figurines... I eyed them warily as I wondered what she was going to have me do, but it's okay, it turned out to be non terrifying.

She asked me to select one that represented me. I was drawn to a My Little Pony toy, pink, with a sunshine on its hiney. I chose it because it reminded me of my childhood - I had lots of those colourful little ponies, and would spend hours and hours playing with them. She asked me what the characteristics of the pony were, and I said it was a nice happy pony. Then I figured the pony was actually supposed to BE me. Oh, wait.. nice maybe, happy not so much.. I said I changed my mind - I WANTED to be the pony. I found a little grey donkey figure and said maybe that was more 'me' right now... (think the donkey in Shrek and how he turns into the beautiful white stallion! ) She actually asked if it was a donkey or a mule... Yeah, I am stubborn!

I also had to pick toys to represent other people in my life and explain why they represented those people. Then toys that represented who I wanted them to be. Then I was to tell her what I wanted to change about each of the toys and why. I wanted to turn the pony purple - because it's 'edgier' and more 'grown up' than pink. Then she did hypnosis with me based on all of this. It was really kinda cool, a good session

This all got me thinking, and of course I had to pick just based on the selection of toys she had. I think if I were to choose any toy to represent me as I am now I might select a little wooden doll or puppet.. and one day I'll become a 'real' girl..! Or perhaps I'm a russian doll, with the 'real me' in the middle? But I still want to become the beautiful, nice, happy little purple pony with the sunshine motif

What toy represents you and why? And what toy do you WANT to be and why? Anyone else ever do an exercise like this in therapy? (Or maybe T reminds you of a particular toy? I know we had the 'which animal would your T be' thread a while ago!) Just for fun