JAKARTA - Nowadays, many people are used to making decisions spontaneously without really giving themselves the space to understand what they really want.
In fact, phases such as career changes, changes in life priorities, social pressures, and confusion in determining the direction of the future often require more than just advice from others.
This phenomenon is increasingly visible, especially among young adults. Various terms such as quarter-life crisis, burnout, to overthinking are a picture of how many individuals are trying to find meaning and direction in the midst of various demands of modern life.
According to the Founder of Good Duck, Dyah Oetari, one of the biggest challenges today is that many people hear voices from the outside more often than giving themselves the opportunity to think clearly.
"We want to make Good Duck a place for every individual to have the opportunity to stop for a moment and think about themselves, in a playful way. Good Duck is not a workshop. There are no conclusions prepared or predetermined answers," said Dyah.
Instead of providing specific materials or directions, the approach used encourages participants to find their own answers through a more personal reflection process.
Interestingly, self-reflection, which has been synonymous with journaling or meditation, is now beginning to evolve into more interactive methods. One of them is through the use of visual media and creative activities that help a person translate thoughts that are difficult to express in words.
In practice, participants are invited to answer reflective questions by building a model using bricks or construction blocks. This activity is not intended to produce a certain work, but rather as a means to express ideas, feelings, and confusion that have been stored in the mind.
Dyah explained that the process helps a person see their mindset from a different perspective.
"There is no right or wrong answer. What we present is a condition for participants to find their own answers, which is realized through something concrete and can be seen physically," he said.
According to him, when the hand begins to build a certain shape, there is often an awareness that was not previously realized by the participants. Thoughts that have been abstract are easier to observe because they have a visual representation.
In recent years, the need for this kind of reflection space has indeed increased. Many people are beginning to realize that mental health is not only related to overcoming stress or psychological disorders, but also the ability to understand oneself and make decisions that are in line with one's values and life goals.
Dyah admitted that for more than five years accompanying various groups of participants, he found a similar pattern.
"One thing that always comes up is awareness of their life today and what possibilities there are to make choices. Some come home with a clearer picture of the next steps. Some realize that their thoughts so far have not been entirely correct," he said.
The need to pause and reflect may be one of the most sought-after things in the midst of a modern life that continues to move quickly. Because, as the world becomes increasingly crowded with various opinions and demands, finding space to understand yourself can be the first step to making more conscious and meaningful decisions.
"I want this method of self-reflection to be a space for thinking clearly about yourself, in a fun way. After attending this session, I hope the participants know what they want to do, because the intersection of choices and decisions will always appear in every phase of our lives," concluded Dyah.
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