Know Yourselfin a day

Our one-day-festival explores the benefits of self-knowledge, through an interactive and immersive learning experience.

know yourself in a day

0 9 . 3 0 A r r i va l a n d R e g i s t r at i o n

Find your seat and meet new friends over hot drinks and pastries.

1 0 . 3 0 T h e P r o b l e m o f o u r M i n d s a n d S o l u t i o n s t o S e l f K n o w l e d g e — A l a i n d e B o t t o n

Our first session explains the problem of our minds: why it can be so tricky to understand our own minds directly, and how this can make our lives, work, and relationships difficult. We will consider the way that our always-vulnerable childhoods shape who we are and how our grown-up selves avoid addressing the inevitable wounds of our childhood, or acquiring uncomfortable self-knowledge, through addictions, distractions and denial.

We’ll then consider some solutions to self-knowledge, most notably eight key ways in which psychotherapy helps us to understand ourselves better and thereby become calmer, slightly saner and more mature through a keener understanding of our own psyche. We’ll look at the

importance of our “inner voices” – our responsive inner monologue, often comprised of narratives carried over from events and relationships in our past. We’ll practice giving time to philosophical reflection in order to discover wiser and more forgiving ways of understanding ourselves and others.

1 2 . 0 0 S o c i a b i l i t y — R a u l A p a r i c i

After spending time considering the problem of our own minds, we’ll turn to sociability and to our relationships and connection to others. We’ll consider 7 skills of sociability that can help us to have better conversations and build more meaningful relationships, including overcoming shyness, being more vulnerable, listening more deeply, getting into relationships, making use of humour, and much more. We’ll also have the chance to practice these key skills with those nearby.

1 3 . 0 0 L u n c h

Enjoy a pre-prepared lunch box with newly-made friends.

Programme Details

know yourself in a day

1 4 . 0 0 F a i l u r e — A l a i n d e B o t t o n

Our hopes and aspirations say a lot about who we are and who we hope to be. But what happens when we fail? We live in a society that celebrates success and which sees failure as a freakish and a remote possibility, rather than the inevitably that it is. In this afternoon session we learn to make friends with failure and hone the skills that will equip us with the right attitude towards it when we meet it as we surely will.

To know ourselves better, we should be prepared to examine our aspirations and expectations more closely, and meet with failure more gracefully.

1 5 . 1 5 C o f f e e B r e a k 1 5 . 4 5 T h e M e a n i n g o f L i f e — R a u l A pa r i c i

Most of us want to know ourselves better in order to live a more meaningful life. Yet the meaning of life itself often feels vast and unapproachable.

Yet in truth, we all have meaningful moments. We’re just bad at knowing what they involve and how we might build more meaningful periods out of them.

The question of what makes a life meaningful has to be answered personally, as we begin to understand what is particularly meaningful to us. In this afternoon session, we consider where meaning might lie for us, the obstacles to a meaning-rich life and learn to recognise meaningful moments that might illuminate our often seemingly small and humdrum daily activities.

1 7 . 0 0 D r i n ks r e c e p t i o n

Discuss what you’ve learnt over the course of the day over wine and canapés.

1 9 . 0 0 D ay E n d

Programme Details

The School Yard is a space for reflection and for socialising, where you can meet others and consider the various emotional skills you have learnt over the day. Pick up your free ticket-holders goodie bag, pin your thoughts to The Wall of Self, browse through The School of Life’s library and play The Confessions Game. Food and drink will be served here throughout the day...

T h e C o n f e s s i o n s G a m e

One of our faculty members will prompt engaging conversations on some of the most daring questions of all. This game encourages us to talk honestly about what is going on in your lives, sharing your joys, hopes, fears and triumphs and allowing you to feel less alone and embarrassed around areas that often cause so much sorrow and shame.

T h e Wa l l o f S e l f

A holding space for your most elusive thoughts. Pin up your thoughts and feelings and see how our wall of reflection builds and develops throughout the day.

The School Yard

know yourself in a day

T h e D e c i s i o n D i c e G a m e

The main enemy of good decision-making is a lack of perspective. Lead by one of our faculty members, this engaging, interactive game prompts us to think through a decision from six angles: our Enemy, our Gut, Death, Caution, Courage, and our Parents. By learning to juggle and synthesise our perspectives, we find a tolerable way forward from our present state of confusion.

T S O L f o r B u s i n e s s C l i n i c

It can be so tricky to understand where work has gone wrong, why our colleagues are making our lives difficult or how work could, on a good day, be more fun. But our specialised business department can help. Name your workplace problem and our TSOL for Business team will guide you towards the the emotional skills that are required to make your business prosper and your working life more meaningful.

T h e T S O L S h o p

Browse and buy the the full range of our books, games, cards, in one place.

The School Yard

know yourself in a day