What are Authentic Relating Games?
Communication can be fun and easeful!
AR Games were created to give you a playbook for how to begin relating on an authentic level.
Often communication starts and stops because we feel unsure about how to approach it, what to say, or what to ask. Turning communication into a game provides a guiding structure and set of agreements for everyone involved. This removes a lot of the stress and anxiety from connection, and adds in an inviting element of play.
AR Games (played with 2 or more people) are designed to take you from:
Surface level answers to ---> Sharing what’s really going on
Feeling disconnected to ---> Feeling a real bond
Not knowing what to say to ---> A connected in-flow conversation
Lack of understanding to ---> Gaining helpful insights about each other
Playing these games help build skills for any relationship: Romantic partnerships, families, roommates, friends, community groups, teams, and clientele.
Below are a few of our most basic Authentic Relating games. We invite you to find a group near you (or online) or simply dive in and try them out with someone in your life!
The Noticing Game
A begins: “Sitting/standing here with you, I notice…”
B responds, “Hearing that, I notice…”
Go back and forth: “Hearing that, I notice… Hearing that, I notice…” for 2-5 minutes.
Note: YOU CAN SHARE OBSERVATIONS, THOUGHTS, SENSATIONS, FEELINGS… You can share ANYTHING you’re noticing inside this structure of “A” and “B” going back and forth.
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The Curiosity Game
At the end of the time, B get a chance to give a minute of feedback to A on how they felt about the questions, including if there was anything they wished had been asked or anything that really struck them. Then, A resumes questioning for 3 more minutes.
At the end of the time, A gives a gift to B of three sentence stems: “My first impression of you was. . .”, “I felt you the most when . . .”, and “What I really get about you is . . .”.
Truths
A begins: "_______(person B's name), I have a truth for you. Are you available to hear it?"
B responds: “I’m open to it” or "I'm not open to it."
If B is open, A shares: “_____(person B’s name), when you ________ (name a particular, unarguable moment or experience), I felt _______(share an emotion).”
B responds, “Thank you.”
Go back and forth sharing truths for as much time as you have available.
Note: You can share truths and/or appreciations following this same format.
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Watermelon
Directions: Two people stand or sit facing each other. Designate an A and a B.During the game, A will onlly say the word, "Watermelon."Next Steps
Want to go even deeper?
The Authentic Life Course
The ALC is a transformation-turbocharger for all your relationships and everyday interactions.
