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How Belonging Feels

Activity: Emotional Journey Map

Learning Goal: To help learners understand their feelings of belonging and othering. To help them develop self-awareness, confidence, and the agency to spark change.

There are many definitions of belonging and its insistent opposing force, othering. Belonging is being accepted and invited to participate; being part of something and having the opportunity to show up as yourself. More than that, it means being able to raise issues and confront harsh truths as a full member of a community. Othering, by contrast, is treating people from another group as essentially different from and generally inferior to the group you belong to. Once these terms enter your frame of reference, you’ll find that belonging and othering show up everywhere. 

This activity is a great starting point for anyone who wants to think about belonging. Feelings of belonging are powerful. Belonging is a real factor in having the confidence to believe in oneself and in one’s ability to do hard things.

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Learn more about Design for Belonging.

Exam Copies for Educators

To request a complimentary examination copy to review for use in your classroom, contact Penguin Random House Education for PreK–12 Education or for Higher Education.