A Lesson in Capacity
The last Her Circle session started for me with an unexpected life lesson.
I was putting the final touches on the room, moving between the Mix Coworking kitchen and the space we’d be using. I had my notebook and phone, a large glass of water, and a small jug of milk. I can handle this easily, I thought.
Then it started pouring rain.
Rachel, the woman behind Mix, offered her help — and an umbrella. I confidently refused the help but accepted the umbrella. I shoved the notebook and phone under my armpit, held the glass in one hand, and the jug and umbrella in the other.
“I can do this!” I said with a smile.
As I stepped through the door, in a single forward motion, the umbrella caught in the doorway and pulled my hand backwards. Because that hand was also holding the milk jug, this resulted in a large splash of cold Irish full-fat milk leaving the jug, travelling through the air, and landing squarely on my surprised face and nice clothes.
Learning nicely delivered, I told myself.
You wanted to stay within your capacity. You wanted less stress. You promised yourself you wouldn’t take on too much. So here it was — a very literal reminder.
“Thank you, 2026,” I said out loud, turning to show Rachel my new look with a big smile.
Graphic Harvest of Her Circle discussion
The session itself went well. If anything, the experience made me more present and more relaxed. We started late, accepting that it’s January. Things take longer. We move slower. And that’s okay — it’s January.
After getting to know one another, we began working with the Systemic Design Framework developed by the Design Council, often referred to as the Double Diamond. In simple terms, this meant slowing down before rushing into solutions.
For half an hour, the room was silent. Each woman reflected on the year that had been, noticing how it had lived in her body. We were invited to acknowledge both external and internal factors that influence our capacity — loss, illness, a partner or child going through a difficult time.
We were reminded that life is full of contradictions, and that this is not a problem to be solved. We can want freedom and structure. We can know we are capable and still need support. We can feel like powerful goddesses one moment and completely overwhelmed the next.
We finished by reflecting on what we want to water in our lives — practices, clients, relationships, or projects that have worked well. What might need adapting, or what new seeds might be planted. And finally, what we are ready to let go of and compost, allowing energy and attention to be released.
I’m curious about the stories the women will bring next month when we gather again. The kind of clarity we cultivated in the session is gentle. It doesn’t shout. It might come to you in a dream, or reveal itself in a word that keeps repeating. It may be something you hear yourself say to a friend, or a line in a book that seems to leap off the page to meet you.
This kind of clarity takes patience. It also grows more easily when shared with fellow life travellers.
If any of this resonates and you’d like to experience it for yourself, you’re very welcome to get in touch. There are plans for another in-person circle in Clonakilty, West Cork, and potentially an online session if there’s enough interest.
You can also join our growing WhatsApp community — open to those who attend the circles and those who can’t. It’s a space for shared resources, gentle support, and updates on upcoming sessions and trainings.
You can join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JN7dVS7pSch1orUfJx3sD1