Destroy-to-Create Exercise
Materials Needed:
To Support Feeling:
Furious
How to Do It
Take an old piece of furniture, a cardboard box, or any other object you no longer need. Use a hammer or your hands to break it apart, letting each swing or tear be fueled by your fury. Once the object is completely destroyed, gather the pieces and use them to create something new—a sculpture, a collage, or even a new piece of furniture.
Why It Works
This exercise allows you to physically express and release anger through destruction, but it also offers a constructive follow-up by transforming the remnants into something new. It’s a powerful metaphor for turning fury into creativity.
Guided Practice
Find a space where you have some materials to work with—something you can safely tear apart or reshape. Sit quietly and take a few breaths, feeling the sensation of your hands and the potential energy within them. Notice any feelings of tension or power, holding them gently in your awareness without needing to act immediately.
Now that you have found a space with materials you can destroy—like an old piece of furniture, cardboard boxes, or paper—take a moment to ground yourself. Feel the firmness of the ground beneath your feet and take a few deep breaths notice the texture and weight of the object you’ve chosen, feeling it in your hands or under your grip. Tearing, smashing, or breaking the material with intention. Feel the resistance and give of the object, the way your muscles engage as you exert force. Let each movement be a release, a way to channel any pent-up energy or emotion. Stay present with the sensation of destruction—the sound it makes, the way the material changes under your hands. As you continue, notice any feelings that arise. Observe the dynamic tension in your body, perhaps sensing a surge of energy or a release of tension. Allow the destruction to be a metaphor for letting go of what no longer serves you, making space for something new to emerge. When you feel ready, pause and take a deep breath. Look at the remnants of what you have destroyed, feeling the space you have created. Take a moment to reflect on what you wish to create from this new space, feeling grounded and ready to begin anew.