Isabelle Olsson

In addition to working with Common Art, as a part of my internship I am also spending some time at the Black Seed Writer’s Group offered as a part of MANNA at St. Paul’s Cathedral. This has been such a wonderful opportunity to continue to work with many of the same community members in a different space, through their writing I get to see a different side of their creativity that often compliments their artwork. This past week, as I left the Black Seed Writer’s Group I found myself a bit stuck on the concept of negotiating boundaries. I had a few small moments throughout the day that tested my boundaries as a new member of the community and had me reflecting on what boundaries should look like. In some ways, I felt like I had foundered in a few moments where I could have set firmer boundaries.

I think that too often, boundaries are something that can make us quite uncomfortable and for many can be challenging or anxiety inducing. As I started my internship, the importance of setting boundaries and the unease in doing so both came to light early. For me, in a new setting where I wasn’t quite accustomed to the culture of the space, setting boundaries sometimes went against the people-pleaser part of me that would start to make noise. Yet through discussions in my supervision and observation, I’ve realized that setting boundaries is an important part of building/continuing relationships and showing up. In setting boundaries I’m demonstrating care for the community and myself.

Something unexpected is how I have grown to learn my own boundaries as a clinician in training and community member. While I adhere to the boundaries set by the community and space, I also may have to work to establish where my own boundaries lie when it comes to many things. One example being the amount of self-disclosure I am comfortable with as community members ask questions about myself and my personal life. I took some time to myself to reflect while making art on what boundaries in my life and internship are important to me. Even though I left the writer’s group feeling a little less than confident about boundaries on that particular day, I was able to remind myself to be gentle in the learning process and appreciate the great boundaries I have set and observed so far. I imagine that in the coming months, boundaries will come easier all while continuing to change and be tested yet I feel ready to adapt and continue learning.

Isabelle Olsson