The Pause
(Navigating the "messy middle" ... in community)

"The Pause" is a safe, nourishing space for you to PAUSE, catch your breath, and unfold into the

ever-changing era of mid-life.

If you are reading this, you most likely:

Have a "great life" on paper, but suddenly you don't even recognize yourself because every.single.thing is changing in you all at once

Attempting to balance work, a partner, a family, self-care, health, and more... but some days feel like you are failing at all of it

Were absolutely caught off-guard by all the mental, emotional, and physical aspects of midlife and perimenopause (that nobody warned you about)

Are watching in real-time as parts of you seem to disappear while others are yearning to reconnect with something even deeper...but you are not quite sure HOW to quite yet.

"The Pause" is WHERE you learn HOW...

The thing you need to know is:

That "something even deeper" is real.

For nearly all modern women, that longing in midlife to connect with "something even deeper" is actually your desire to connect with your emerging wise woman.

And as annoying as the symptoms of perimenopause can be (and OMG they are!!) this is the age that the wise, loving, compassionate, feminine energy saves you from the absolute $#@%-show of mid-life.

We call this the "sage", or "crone" energy and it is what our ancestors revered in older women, celebrated about menopause... (and what we are losing in modern life).

The Pause is the place we have longed for as mid-life women: where we reframe our perimenopause era from a collection of terrible symptoms into the celebratory rite-of-passage into wise womanhood that it was always meant to become.

Why Join The Pause?

After attending The Pause you will leave...

Feeling heard, seen, and held with a new sense of unwavering self-compassion to lovingly accept ALL parts of you
Understanding how your changing physical body will influence all parts of your life during the next few years, and how to manage, protect, and honor it as it does
Both hearing AND trusting your intuition (the wise woman) to make the small and BIG mid-life decisions
Embracing life's pleasures by leaning into the FUN side of the wise-Feminine

What is The Pause?

The Pause is a holistic mid-life women's circle...

*designed for women who normally don't attend women's circles

It is important to note that The Pause is introvert-friendly. Empath-friendly. LGBTQ-friendly. First-timer-women-circle-friendly. (Look, it's friendly...) :)

We do embodied practices that give you hands-on/hearts-on experiences with understanding who you really are right now, right here.

You'll learn real, tangible tools and skills (that you can use TOMORROW) that help you Grow into the woman you are becoming in midlife.

You will create mature, meaningful relationships with other women who are longing for the same thing.

What we do...

Each 2 hour session will have a specific theme, but it includes a

combination of individual and partnered activies:

Movement: Dance, Physical exercises, Role-playing

Deep Reflection: Journaling, Deep-thinking prompts, Art, Creative Depth-Play

Sacred Inquiry: Listening without judgment, Speaking with intent, holding space, storytelling

Visualization/Guided Meditation: Gaining insight using guided exploration

Touch: Shared healthy touch, massage, hugging

Did one of those make you nervous? (usually it's the 'touch'!) Don't worry...

a) you're normal and b) each of these Feminine Embodiment Practices are set to a playlist so five minutes of (temporary) discomfort in one activity may be what Grows you the most... ;)

What we DON'T do...

This women’s circle is very intentional about providing a safe, nurturing space. The focus is more on YOU finding your own way through mid-life, and less on:

Complaining or gossiping about other women or partners

Giving “expert” advice, trying to "fix you" or make you into something else

Taking photos or videos for social media

Arguing about divisive topics like religion or politics

We will uphold the guidelines in the Awakening Women’s Global Sisterhood Manifesto.

Personally, I pride myself on providing a genuine space for women to feel welcome, safe and appreciated. I kindly ask that only those who can do the same join us.

Who would enjoy The Pause?

Those who identify as midlife women of all backgrounds are welcome (yes, LGBTQ and differently-abled are welcome).

Whether you are in the beginning stages of perimenopause, are through menopause, or are simply needing A PAUSE from midlife, there is a space waiting for you. You will know if The Pause is right for you if you are:

Open to learning realistic, holistic practices that you can apply immediately

Ready to embrace the challenges in midlife in a way that equally intrigues and scares you

Curious about why certain aspects of midlife are so hard, and how to ease the discomfort by leaning into the lessons self-compassionately

I hope you know that a woman who helps herself --helps her family and her community. This self-care is definitely NOT selfish.

When and Where is The Pause?

The Pause will be every second Tuesday evening 6:00pm to 8:00pm

at Solely Therapeutic Massage and Wellness

Buy TIckets March 9th

Buy Tickets April 13th

Who is your Guide?

The Pause is guided by me, Dr. Katie T. Larson, PhD--wife, mother, and founder of GrowthQuests.

Perimenopause hit by absolutely SHOCK and the past 3 years I have been gathering tools to help me through this rite-of-passage that feels pretty intense...

Almost 15 years ago, I never thought I would join a women's circle, but after accidentally attending one (!) I found the warm, support of mature, genuine women was just what I was longing for. It changed my life positively in dozens of ways.

Since then, I've run women's circles by mixing my favorite emotional wellness practices to create a welcoming, holistic environment for women of all walks of life.

When I am not hosting circles, I am a Somatic Practitioner, Hypnotherapist, Forest Therapy Guide, and personal Growth coach who specializes in working with Highly Sensitive People, Empaths, and Intuitives.

Beyond the Pause Documentary

Dr. Katie T. Larson- has been featured in the perimenopause documentary, "Beyond the Pause".

In it, she describes how she wasn't even aware she was in it for over two years... and which aspects of her journey have been the most challenging--and helpful.

See the timestamps below for any specific insights.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Introduction to Katie

0:42 - Being two years into perimenopause wasn't clear until looking back

1:59 - Avid cycle-tracking helped with recognizing abnormal erratic emotions

4:29 - Experiencing increasing amnesia was a major flag

6:37 - Feeling shame about symptoms to seeking medical support

8:17 - Visiting doctors, making lifestyle changes, and navigating childhood wounds

11:14 - Choosing bioidentical hormones: Reluctance to benefit

16:31 - Hormone testing during the luteal phase

17:50 - The impacts of perimenopause on highly sensitive people / empaths

21:25 - Menopause as a rediscovery of self: The big changes in ability, motivation, and sense of self due to hormone shifts

26:04 - Personal knowledge of our hormones helps our relationships become supportive during perimenopause

30:48 - The impacts of perimenopause on relationships and navigating the whirlpool of emotions

33:56 - Being open about perimenopause helps others through horrible lows

35:10 - Supporting clients through perimenopause while experiencing it at the same time

36:53 - Going through perimenopause with young children

39:42 - Menopause teaching women to shed performative selves & Katie's perimenopause quest

42:17 - Finally understanding the caterpillar / butterfly metaphor for menopause

45:01 - Other cultural perspectives on perimenopause (Asian communities)

49:08 - Accepting and releasing anger as a woman (i.e. permission to have a temper tantrum)

53:28 - Talking to friends and family about perimenopause

55:53 - Perimenopause as a catalyst to build community: Millennial women lead the way

59:10 - The importance of teaching children and youth about perimenopause

1:00:58 - Tactics for navigating perimenopause symptoms

1:04:07 - Chakras and perimenopause

1:07:49 - Advice for other women going through perimenopause

Any Questions?

If you have any questions about "The Pause" or want to feature this event in your newsletters, etc. reach out via email Unfold@GrowthQuests.com

The Pause (Navigating the "messy middle" ... in community)