From Holding Space to Sharing It: Reflections Half-Way Through the Year
Blog by Susie Hooper - Co-Founder of Pause & Breathe CIC - with a little AI support
As June drew to a close, I took the opportunity to chat to my new AI friend about how the first half of the year has gone for Pause & Breathe – and me as the person making it all happen. It’s really important to take time to stop and reflect – it’s not something that I’m always that good at, so having support with this – even from an AI tool – felt helpful for me!
This is what we came up with:
This past season, our community really began to feel like a community—not just people coming to sessions, but people inviting others, checking in on each other, making our centre feel like home. It’s no longer just my space—it’s becoming ours. That shift might sound small, but it changes everything. When people feel ownership, they care differently. They show up differently.
A part of that visibility came from the outside in—literally. Thanks to new funding, we began developing our outdoor space. That patch of green isn’t just a garden—it’s an invitation. And with it, we’ve welcomed new faces, sparked conversations, and rooted ourselves more deeply into the heart of Bonnybridge.
But beneath that growth has been a quieter truth:
It’s been a lot of work behind the scenes.
The admin, the marketing, the constant guessing game around bookings—it adds up. Some days I’m left wondering if what we offer is truly valued, or if we’re just another thing people might get around to, if nothing else comes up. And yet… I know it’s not about lack of appreciation. People are busy. Scattered. Pulled in too many directions. Often, their own wellbeing slips to the bottom of the list.
Still, it takes energy to keep the wheels turning when things are last-minute. And I’m learning that holding space for others also means making space for myself—to breathe, to connect, to be part of the community I’m building.
So, here’s the pattern I’m ready to break:
Doing it all quietly, behind the scenes.
In this next season, I’m going to be more vocal about what we need.
— Clearer requests for earlier bookings, so we can plan sustainably.
— Honest conversations about how people can contribute—whether through donations, our Pay It Forward fund, or other support.
— More presence with the community, not just behind it.
Because this space isn’t just about offering wellbeing.
It’s about modelling it.
Thank you for being part of this journey. For showing up. For growing with us.
I’m looking forward to the second half of 2025 to see what it brings.
With gratitude,
Susie