tend your garden: sustainability circle
work life balance, if you can find it, is fleeting.
we tell everyone that in order to relax, and feel rested, you have to work harder at it. but don't rest too much because you'll be lazy. it's not that you need to earn your rest (wink wink, there's always a bubble bath if you need it!) but definitely make sure that your work is done, and your house is clean, and your loved ones have everything they need before you relax and then maybe pick a relaxation activity that is going to move you forward....like a side gig or something that produces something useful, at least.
and in the last few years, there have been a real narrowing of options for how we can disconnect, recharge, or relax safely. if you have the resources to take a month and move to a cabin in the mountains or a beautiful spot on the beach, then i applaud you and implore you to go do that! but for the rest of us, we're trying to figure out how to create space for ourselves while being in the same space as our work, our family, and everything else that needs to get done.
what if there was a space for all the parts of ourselves that need care - the human and the scholar both? a pace that feels sustainable - not static, but seasonal? and tools, above all, that suit us and what we’re growing, harvesting, and composting at the moment?
tend your garden is my answer.
i designed this group to be like a community garden.
we are all growing our own plants, but we can benefit from our neighbors in dirt and their wisdom and wins.
this group is designed to be flexible temporally, but structured enough so that you don't get overwhelmed by what to do, or when to do it.
every two weeks i will release:
a workbook (fillable and printable) full of:
resources to explore around the topic at hand (suggested articles, podcasts, books, and more so that you can pick and choose what piques your curiosity)
questions to go deeper into the topic, explore your own thinking, and open up new ways of considering the ecosystem of your life
suggestions of experiments to run over the course to the two weeks - go beyond thinking about sustainability and into doing things to gather data and see what works for you, and in what conditions
an audio coaching track (transcribed of course) to illuminate the workbook material, go deeper into the topic, and give you more perspectives on the topic
there will also be a private discord space (an online forum) where:
i'll post prompts to help you go deeper with the material, encouraging conversation and learning from each other
there will be affinity groups to help you connect with people who are traveling similar paths (like caretaking, faculty roles, disability, neurodivergence, minoritized identities, and so on) and be honest about how those roles and identities impact your rhythms
and i’ll host accountability threads, where we will cheer on your wins and be with you through the hard stuff
because this is an experiment for me in both style of coaching/support and topic, this is a lower beta trial price (in exchange for your honest feedback about the group!) and as a special thank you, i'll also include a free 45 coaching session with me ($100 value) as a thank you, for you to use any time before october 1, 2022!
“This is the only space full of other academics where I don’t feel ashamed, judged, or alone when I veer off-course, fall short of my goals, or have a really terrible day (or month...). It’s a community of really kind, generous, supportive people who make me feel like I can do it... and I did it. I also really appreciate that there is no “one-size-fits-all” advice, just a lot of tools/ resources/ metaphors to work with so you can find what works for you. ”
“my whole approach to work - academic and otherwise - has shifted since working with Katy. my energy has shifted away from frazzled, stressed, and feeling endlessly behind with work towards being more compassionate to my whole self, knowing that i’m better able to show up for my work and my people when i’m taking care of myself. ”
the details.
the circle will officially be open on july 1, and run through august 31. the pre-group workbook will be available on june 20th.
topics:
pre group workbook - where you are now
containers (releasing july 4) - what containers of time, energy, importance, and value are in your life right now? does the size of the container match its contents?
borders (releasing july 18) - what makes it easy for you to spend your time and energy where you want to? what makes it harder? which of these are negotiable boundaries, and which are not?
seasons (releasing august 1) - what do various seasons feel like in your garden? how do you plan for the transitions? what kinds of changes feel welcome, and which are harder?
plant identification (releasing august 15) - what kinds of behaviors and habits support you? which make it harder? how do you know if something is a plant or a weed - or is there a difference?
post group workbook - how to take it with you
as usual, there is a no-questions-asked sliding scale so you can choose the price that works for your budget, and there will also be a payment plan for those who prefer monthly payment options.
Questions? Let’s talk.
Nervous about committing? Not sure if this is the tool you need? Want to meet me first to see if we click? Have a question and just need to talk to someone?
Schedule a 30 minute consultation - we'll talk about where you are, where you want to go, and what you are looking for in terms of coaching to see if we are a good fit! No pressure, just more information.
Do not worry about “wasting my time” with an appointment - these are here for you!