At YWCA Glendale and Pasadena, our prevention programs include afterschool opportunities for girls in grades 5-9 across Los Angeles County. Through engaging enrichment activities, we strive to uplift youth, nurture their confidence, and create a safe, welcoming space where they can share their experiences and lean on one another for support.
As we began our Girls Circle programming this school year, one of the key topics we focused on was the importance of self-care. Many of our students juggle the challenges of school, family responsibilities, extracurricular activities and individual struggles. We wanted to intentionally create space for them to explore how they care for themselves and offer practical tools that would encourage them to prioritize their well-being.
To support this, I chose the AWBW activity, Take a Break, Self-Regulate. Before the students began creating, I provided each student with the AWBW “50 Ways to Take a Break” handout. The colorful graphics and wide range of self-care ideas sparked curiosity among the group and provided new approaches they hadn’t considered before.
I reminded the group that there was no right or wrong way to participate and encouraged them to create in whatever way felt authentic to them. To set a calming tone, I played soft background music and allowed the room to be a peaceful, creative space.
As supplies were passed out, the atmosphere became focused and intentional. The students quietly and thoughtfully assembled their dice, carefully choosing which self-care practices they wanted to include. Some examples they wrote were “Create with markers or paint” and “Give a hug to 3 people.”
One surprising and beautiful moment came during our reflection circle. A student shared, “Making this dice was self-care for me because I got to reflect and create something by hand.” Hearing this perspective reminded me that the act of creation itself is often just as powerful as the finished product.
The students expressed genuine excitement about using their self-care dice beyond the workshop. Several commented on how fun it would be to roll the dice at home when they felt stressed or overwhelmed. Others said they planned to share the idea with their siblings or friends.
This activity not only introduced them to new self-care practices but also offered a meaningful reminder that taking small breaks is both important and achievable. The workshop gave them a tangible tool they could carry forward, and it gave me the chance to witness how creativity and reflection can foster healing and empowerment in real time.
