Love Your Tree
An arts-based program for people of all ages focused on cultivating self-compassion, body acceptance and mental well-being.

The Who, What, When & Where
Who Can Participate?
Anyone and everyone. You can choose to participate as an individual or host an event for community. Love Your Tree (LYT) is a great way for individuals, families, schools, colleges, social organizations, or professional groups to cultivate mental wellbeing through creativity, community connection and self-reflection.
How Much Time Do I Need?
Love Your Tree activities can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2+ hours. The length is up to you: if you’d like to go through all the prompts, or just some, and how much time you want to dedicate to your art.
Does ERC Pathlight Facilitate Love Your Tree?
This program is designed for anyone to use, anywhere at any time. We want to empower you and/or your community to use this independently. With that, we’re here to support if needed! Contact us at LoveYourTree@ercpathlight.com with questions.
What Tools Do I Need?
An open mind and your favorite art supplies (pencil, paint, collage materials, etc.). Everything else can be downloaded here at no-cost.
Step By Step
Ready to get started? Follow our guide to get involved with Love Your Tree.
Questions?
Email us at LoveYourTree@ercpathlight.com. We want to hear from you! Whether you’re an individual artist with questions about a submission or you’re a teacher or group leader looking to implement a LYT Workshop. You can also download our FAQs.
The Program Packs contain resources and activities to help you learn about the Love Your Tree themes and provide you with important information about participating. Complete the activities on your own or host a Love Your Tree workshop for your school or organization to get involved. Love Your Tree is flexible and adaptable to almost any setting or situation.
Use the activity sheets and other Love Your Tree resources to inspire your answer to the phrase, “Like a tree, I am…” and then start creating! You might choose to paint, sing, write, build, draw or film your creation – all forms of art are welcome. Artwork can be created individually or during group workshops, classes or other gatherings.
Love Your Tree entries will be added to the virtual gallery and showcased for all to enjoy. Remember…Artwork is a broad term that includes ANY application of your creativity and imagination! Entries may include art in all its forms. Download the FAQ sheet for details about how to submit different types of art. Submissions are featured in the Love Your Tree Gallery!
The most important part of Love Your Tree is that the message can be shared with others. Be sure to share about your artwork and the gallery on social media using the hashtag #LoveYourTree!
Individuals can also spread their own and Leaves of Inspiration messages directly with these shareable cards.
Downloadable Materials
Find everything you need to get involved here.
Download Workshop Facilitator Slides and one of the program packs below to get started hosting your own workshop.
Program Pack - Detailed packet of information for hosting a workshop for all audiences
Educator Program Pack - Detailed packet of information for hosting a workshop for student audiences under 18
Printable individual sections of the program pack
Printable individual sections of the educator program pack
Sharing Your Art
Like trees in a forest: we are strong, resilient and unique. We are always growing. We are interconnected. How will you express this metaphor through your art? We can’t wait to see!

The Roots of the Love Your Tree Program
Trees are a universal symbol for growth, resilience, strength and the beauty of individual differences. Just like humans, every tree a forest is unique. Yet, trees remain connected to one another and the world around them in powerful ways. Through participation in the Love Your Tree (LYT) Program, people of all ages are encouraged to explore this metaphor of trees to self and community, and to share their creative interpretations of it.
In the past, LYT has focused on highlighting body diversity and has helped thousands of participants use art to embrace body acceptance for themselves and others. However, LYT is growing in new and wonderful ways We now extend beyond body image to overall individual and community mental wellness making room for more inclusion and diversity of all mental health journeys.
Love Your Tree encourages themes of acceptance and gratitude for human diversity, and the many ways in which we heal and grow stronger through connection with others.
Ready to Share Your Art?
Get involved and share your artwork with our community!
Add Your Art to the LYT Virtual Gallery
Sharing your finished artwork to the Virtual LYT Gallery can inspire or encourage someone else. We empower you to share your art when you are ready!
There are two ways to submit your art for display.

Resources + Further Reading
Articles
Books + Podcasts
Poems
Songs
Quotes
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