I facilitated Touchstone Journey for Resident Assistants (RAs) who were navigating the aftermath of a significant conflict within their residence hall and team. This group of students came from a variety of backgrounds but shared the challenge of processing the conflict both individually and collectively.

To help them address these challenges, each participant created three touchstones, each symbolizing different phases of their journey: one for past feelings during the conflict, one for their current emotions, and one representing their aspirations for where they wanted to go. This hands-on art activity provided a tangible way for them to explore and express their emotions while fostering self-reflection and growth.

We came together as a group to debrief and process the experience, creating a space for shared understanding and connection. While some students participated in group discussions, others chose to OWL (observe, witness and listen) but later met with me one-on-one to process and share more privately.

We also explored how the touchstones could continue to support them after the workshop. Students considered different ways to use their stones—some planned to keep them on their desks as reminders of their personal growth, while others thought about burying or throwing the stones as ways to process their emotions.

After the workshop, several students shared that they had kept their stones as daily reminders of where they wanted to go. Others met with me individually to continue processing their experiences. I noticed a significant emotional shift within the group; they appeared to move through some of the lingering emotions from the conflict, using the art workshop as a starting point for healing and reconciliation.