Before The Exit

This painting depicts how change can happen in our lives. It is based on the Stages of Change model by Prochaska and DiClemente. The silhouette shows its journey through the cycle in different universal phases.

It begins with grey, which represents precontemplation. You are unaware of the behaviour, habit, or pattern that needs to change. The chains feel almost like part of you. Then comes yellow, contemplation. Awareness begins in the heart. You start feeling that something is not right and needs to shift.

Orange represents determination. The mind wakes up. You are no longer just feeling the need to change, you want to change. Purple shows temporary exit. You feel that thinking about change is enough, and that false relief pulls you back into precontemplation. This happens because determination was not followed by action.

Red represents action. It is the integration of heart and mind. You can see some chains beginning to break. But action is not the hardest part. Maintenance, shown in green, requires deeper integration. You sustain the change long enough for more chains to fall away.

White represents permanent exit. No chains, no struggle, just existence without bondage. It opens space to replace old patterns with healthier ones.

Blue is relapse. The chains return stronger. There can be shame, regret, and a sense of helplessness. It often restarts the cycle from grey. But relapse is not purely negative. It is part of the process. It shows that you tried and that you can try again.

This painting is simply a way of visualizing these phases, so that if you decide to change something one day, you can recognize where you are in the cycle.