Talking to Strangers by glitterchowder in Burnaby

Talking to Strangers is a monthly conversation and art making experience I offer at Slice of Life. The focus on “strangers” was inspired by the curious way we often find it easier to share deeply personal, unresolved experiences with strangers— like fleeting conversations on a bus—while we may struggle to reach that same openness with those closest to us. Kahlil Gibran’s words, “Your other half is not the one you love, it is you in another time yet in the same space,” resonate with this idea. It made me wonder: what if we could bring that “other half” of ourselves—our hidden narratives, vulnerabilities, and experiences—into spaces where we tend to hold back? Monthly Workshops On the first Tuesday of each month, I meet with the strangers fate brings and we practice listening actively using a deck of questions I created, tuning into our intuition, and tapping into the wisdom of our bodies. Participants explore where they’re seeking support—whether that’s love, courage, or strength—and engage in somatic movement, a conversational game, and intuitive art-making practices such as collage, mark-making, and stamp-making. These exercises are designed to nuture deep connection with oneself and others. Why this Matters: • Therapy is expensive and not always accessible, and many cultures still carry stigmas around mental health.. • Many people struggle to articulate their feelings, especially in a world focused on productivity over connection. • Creative practices like crafting offer a meaningful way to slow down, reflect, and access inner wisdom. • Caring, supportive groups create safe environments to explore personal struggles. • Learning to witness and listen to one another is an act of anti-violence, countering feelings of isolation. • Creative practices, like collage, can disrupt habitual thinking and reveal insights from our subconscious.