The Pause
(Not your average mid-life women's circle)

"The Pause" is a safe, nourishing space for you pause, catch your breath, and unfold into the ever-changing era of mid-life.

You Most Likely:

Are a successful, modern woman who has had a "great life" on paper, but suddenly you don't even recognize yourself because every.single.thing is changing in you all at once

Are attempting to balance more than you ever have: work, a partner, a family, self-care, health, and more... but some days feel like you are failing at all of it

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

Are feeling like many parts of you that no longer want to "come out and play" while other parts of you are asking 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 wise-Feminine energy.

Yes, the wise, loving, compassionate, feminine energy that 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.

The Pause is the place where we reframe our perimenopause era from a collection of terrible symptoms into the celebratory rite-of-passage into wise womanhood that it was meant to become.

Why Join The Pause?

After attending The Pause you will leave...

Feeling heard, seen, and held in a time where you may feel invisible, lonely, and misunderstood by everyone--including yourself
With a new sense of unwavering self-compassion to lovingly accept ALL parts of you
Both hearing AND trusting your intuition (the wise woman) to make the small and BIG mid-life decisions
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
Practicing healthy boundaries that protect your vital energy
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 not your average women's circle.

It is designed to be introvert-friendly. Sensitive-friendly. First-timer-friendly. (Look, it's friendly...)

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

We go deep: into yourself and into what it means to be a mid-life woman in the 21st century.

You'll learn real, tangible tools and skills that help you Grow into the woman you are becoming.

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

And you just might leave liking women's circles...

What we do...

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

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. 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

A woman who helps herself helps her family and her community, you will value your inner journey as a service to the world.

When and Where is The Pause?

The Pause will be every second Tuesday evening at Solely Therapeutic Massage and Wellness

Her-Quest can be brought to a venue near you!

Inquire HOW!

Who is your Guide?

Her-Quest is guided by me, Dr. Katie T. Larson, PhD--wife, mother, and founder of GrowthQuests. My day job is coaching and hypnotherapy, but I am passionate about women's circles!

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.

I've run women's circles for 15 years and I mix 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 and personal Growth coach who specializes in working with Highly Sensitive People, Empaths, and Intuitives.

Still on the Fence?

A woman who Grows herself plants the seeds of Growth for everyone around her.

Imagine a world where everyone you interact with are comfortable unfolding into the most authentic versions of themselves: with high self-worth, unbreakable self-compassion, utmost confidence, deep-seated meaning-making, and life-driving purpose.

Her-Quest FAQs

Q: What are the benefits of women's circles?

A: Women actually shine brightest when we are in supportive, loving, authentic groups. Women who attend women's circles regularly have better physical, mental, and social health, stronger friendships, longer-lasting marriages, and even more career success.

But you don't need a research study to confirm what you feel once you attend one. There is a palpable power in women's circles that many attendees confirm is the exact feeling they have been missing from their 'perfect-on-paper' (but not in reality) lives.

Q: Why Her-Quest, Why now?

A: Empowering women isn't just a political or economic issue. We must begin to heal the Feminine within.

Personally, I at the age of 12 I was a victim of girlhood bullying and this significantly influenced the way I approached women the rest of my life.

Although I was an "includer" by nature, the thought of joining a woman's circle scared me because most of my previous experience with groups of women usually ended with betrayal or disappointment.

Fast forward to 2015 when I accidentally stumbled into a women's circle and was met with a safe, nourishing space that allowed me to explore my entire perspective of myself as a woman, the Feminine energy within the world, and my relationships with other women.

When mature women reconnect with their Feminine energy (light and shadows!), we can literally change the world.

One woman at a time.

(You can read Dr. KTL's BLOG on her experiences HERE)

Q: Why is this considered "not your average women's circle"?

A: Her-Quest was designed with the assumption that you may have never attended (or enjoyed) women's circles in the past, so I make sure you understand why we do what we do so you can learn how they can positively influence your life (and do them at home!).

Additionally, Her-Quest is less discussion-based and more experiential, which can be a welcoming experience for women who are more introverted (and don't enjoy the social nature of talking-groups), those who like to chat can stick around toward the end. All are welcome to have a unique experience in the comfort of other women.

Even if you actually love women's circles (and other women), you will find the design of Her-Quest a refreshingly new take on how to experience the power of a circle.

Q: Can I leave early/arrive late?

A: We ask kindly that all participants commit to the entire time (7pm-8:30pm) to prevent interrupting the flow of the experience.

Q: Why is this a women-only event?

A: We will be discussing experiences that are unique to women, and may share intimate, personal insights that are appropriate for women only. We welcome anyone who identifies as a woman to join.

Q: What if I want to ask more questions before I sign up?

A: Email Dr. Larson at: Unfold@GrowthQuests.com

The Pause (Not your average mid-life women's circle)