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Inner Compass

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Lesson Plan

Compass Navigation Outline

Guide adult participants to use an emotional-compass metaphor to map their grief and define personal boundaries post-loss, resulting in actionable self-care plans.

Grieving adults often feel directionless; this lesson fosters emotional awareness and empowers boundary setting for healthier healing paths.

Audience

Adult Small Group

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection and mapping exercises

Materials

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Welcome and Check-In

5 minutes

  • Greet participants and introduce the purpose of today’s session.
  • Invite each person to share one word describing how they feel in this moment.
  • Explain the session flow and set confidentiality and respect guidelines.

Step 2

Introducing the Emotional Compass

10 minutes

  • Display compass graphic in the Emotional Direction-Finding Slide Deck.
  • Describe the four directions: North (Grief), East (Anger), South (Sadness), West (Acceptance).
  • Ask participants to note which direction resonates most with their current state.

Step 3

Guided Reflection Activity

15 minutes

  • Hand out the Mapping Your Compass Worksheet.
  • Guide participants through prompts:
    • Identify where you are on the compass now.
    • Name emotions you’re experiencing in that direction.
    • Reflect on recent events that pulled you toward that direction.
  • Encourage journaling and silent reflection for 7–8 minutes.

Step 4

Boundary Mapping Exercise

10 minutes

  • On the worksheet, prompt participants to list one boundary they need to set in relation to their grief (e.g., limiting triggers, communicating needs).
  • Ask them to map how enforcing this boundary moves their compass toward Acceptance.
  • Invite volunteers to share insights, if comfortable.

Step 5

Conclusion and Next Steps

5 minutes

  • Summarize key takeaways and reinforce the value of ongoing boundary work.
  • Encourage participants to keep their worksheet and update their compass weekly.
  • Provide resources for additional support and invite feedback on the session.
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Slide Deck

Emotional Direction-Finding

A guided exploration of your inner compass to navigate grief and foster acceptance.

Welcome participants. Introduce the purpose of using the compass metaphor to navigate grief and set healthy boundaries. Emphasize confidentiality and respect.

The Emotional Compass

Visualize your feelings on a compass:
• North – Grief​
• East – Anger​
• South – Sadness​
• West – Acceptance

Explain that feelings can be mapped like compass directions, helping us identify where we are and where we want to go.

Compass Directions Explained

North (Grief): The weight of loss and yearning
East (Anger): Frustration, resentment, or irritability
South (Sadness): Deep sorrow, emptiness, or tearfulness
West (Acceptance): Finding peace, adjustment, or forward movement

Discuss each direction. Invite brief examples or clarifying questions as you go.

Identifying Your Direction

Reflect quietly:
• Which compass direction best represents how you feel right now?
• What sensations or thoughts arise when you place yourself there?

Allow 2–3 minutes for silent reflection. Then invite volunteers to share one word or phrase that captures their current compass direction.

Next Steps with Your Compass

Use the Mapping Your Compass Worksheet to:

  1. Chart your current emotional direction and associated feelings.
  2. Identify one boundary to set that guides you toward Acceptance.
  3. Create an action plan for practicing that boundary.

Prepare participants to transition into the worksheet activity. Emphasize how boundary mapping moves their compass toward Acceptance.

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Worksheet

Mapping Your Compass Worksheet

Use this worksheet alongside the Compass Navigation Outline and the Emotional Direction-Finding Slide Deck to chart your feelings, set healthy boundaries, and create an action plan.

1. Identifying Your Current Direction

Which compass direction best represents how you feel right now?
(North – Grief; East – Anger; South – Sadness; West – Acceptance)



2. Emotions and Experiences

List two emotions you’re experiencing in this direction and describe a recent event or thought that pulled you toward each one.

  1. Emotion: ____________________ Event/Thought: ____________________






  2. Emotion: ____________________ Event/Thought: ____________________






3. Boundary Setting

Identify one personal boundary you need to establish to support your grief journey (e.g., limiting triggers, requesting space, carving out time for self-care).






4. Mapping the Boundary

How will enforcing this boundary help you move your compass toward Acceptance (West)? Describe the anticipated shift and its impact on your emotional well-being.






5. Action Plan

Outline at least two specific steps for practicing this boundary. Include a timeline or milestone for each step.

Step 1:











Step 2:











6. Reflection and Next Steps

Anticipate potential challenges you may face in upholding this boundary and describe strategies to address them.






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