Photo by Greg Rosenke

Pacing Yourself

Moving beyond the inner critic is a wonderful gift we can give to ourselves. However, it involves inner work that can sometimes bring vulnerable and challenging places into our attention. The processes in this course will affect each one of you in different ways depending on your history, practice approach and experience, as well as your current life circumstances.

Given all of these factors, we would encourage moving through the units at a pace that feels like it isn't persistently putting you on a challenging edge. Being able to digest and integrate these practices is often supported by backing up regularly, going slowly, and finding the timing that works for you and your life circumstances. Taking breaks when needed in order to resource yourself is really kind and wise, and something we encourage in everyone's approach to this course. There is no timeframe you have to follow. Some people might even find they move back and forth through the units or parts of them.

If it helps, consider the image of a river. In some places the river is deep and fast-moving, much like our experience of thoughts and emotions. We can easily become overwhelmed if we don't have a firm footing. At those times, it can help to back up and find shallower waters where you feel more comfortable. This might mean slowing down and looking for sources of support and wellbeing. It may mean coming out of the river altogether—taking a break for a while—and perhaps watching the flow from a safe distance. Then, when you feel ready, you can venture back into the river to continue exploring.

You will have access to the course for as long as you need it.

—Laura & Gavin