Beyond Words: How Feel Your Best Self Transcends Language Barriers
Sometimes the most profound discoveries happen when we step outside our comfort zones—literally. A couple of weeks ago, Emily and I found ourselves wandering the (many) cobblestone streets of Portugal as we got ready for multiple presentations at the International School Psychology conference being held at the University of Coimbra. We carried bags full of Feel Your Best Self materials, armed with nothing but puppet parts and strategy cards and with belief that emotional wellness strategies can transcend any language barrier.
What started as an opportunity to share some research-focused presentations quickly became a powerful lesson in the universality of emotional well-being and the remarkable capacity of visual communication to bridge cultural divides.
The Universal Language of Well-Being
As we set out each day carrying our FYBS resources, we realized that we were about to be put to the ultimate test. Many of the FYBS materials are available in both English and Spanish, but this was an international conference attended by speakers of many different languages. Could the FYBS tools communicate effectively without words? The answer was a resounding yes.
In bustling plazas and quiet café corners around the university setting, we watched as the FYBS icons and imagery became a universal language. Families pointed to our puppets and joined in trying out Belly Breathing. University students laughed as they built their own puppet creations and were eager to share with us while demonstrating different strategies. Tour guides and their groups looked at us quizzically but jumped on the opportunity to learn about the puppets and take a few of the strategy cards to learn more about emotion coping techniques.
Over shared meals, the puppet demonstrations of strategies by a colleague’s 8-year-old became impromptu street theater, drawing curiosity from all those around us. Through gestures and broken English (or Portuguese), we exchanged wellness tips across generations and cultures. The smiles and questions about how to find our website showed us that every person could immediately understand and engage with FYBS.
The Power of Visual Design
This experience reinforced something we've long believed: the inclusion of intentional visual design of FYBS materials isn't just aesthetically pleasing—it's functionally universal. The FYBS logos and icons and clear visual progressions create a communication system that operates beyond linguistic boundaries. Children, adolescents, and adults can explore FYBS without reading a single word, connecting with the strategies through imagery alone.
Global Potential, Local Impact
Our Portugal adventure shined light on the tremendous global potential of FYBS. While we currently offer materials in English and Spanish, the visual nature means the strategies can be adapted and implemented anywhere. The core strategies—grounded in solid research—remain effective regardless of cultural context or linguistic background.
More importantly, this experience reminded me that wellness is inherently global. The need for emotional regulation tools, stress management strategies, and mindful practices exists worldwide. The specific expressions may vary, but the fundamental human need for these skills is universal.
A Vision for Global Wellness
As I reflect on those sun-soaked (and very hot) days in Portugal, I'm energized by the possibilities ahead to expand access to evidence-based wellness strategies worldwide. Imagine FYBS materials being used in schools from Tokyo to São Paulo, in community centers from Cairo to Copenhagen, by families from Mumbai to Montreal. This vision doesn't mean imposing one-size-fits-all solutions. FYBS is all about offering a flexible framework that communities can adapt while maintaining fidelity to the research-backed core strategies that make these tools effective.
Wandering the streets of Portugal taught me that FYBS isn't just a collection of materials that U.S. educators can use to teach emotions—it's a bridge to better well-being that can span any divide. Every moment of connection that we shared with others can ripple to create waves of positive change in our collective emotional well-being.
The question isn't whether FYBS can resonate globally—our Portugal adventure showed us the possibility. The question is how quickly we can get them into the hands of communities around the world who are ready to feel their best selves, one visual strategy at a time.
Dr. Sandy Chafouleas, psychologist and researcher focused on school mental health and the FYBS co-developer