Have you ever longed for a space where you can simply be?
No masks, no small talk, no fixing or performing, just real connection, warmth, and exhale?

That’s what a Women’s Circle is.

It’s not therapy, not a workshop, and not a place where anyone tells you who to be. It’s a gentle gathering where women come together to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and each other. A reminder that you don’t have to hold everything alone.

I often say: it’s less about doing, and more about remembering.

Remembering who you are underneath the noise. Remembering how to listen to your own truth. Remembering that you belong, to yourself, to nature, and to a community of women walking alongside you.

So… what actually happens in a Women’s Circle?

Each circle is a little different, but the essence is always the same: we gather, we slow down, we connect.

When you arrive, the space is already set, soft candlelight, maybe a few gentle herbal scents in the air, a centrepiece of seasonal flowers or natural treasures gathered from the woods. You’re greeted, offered water, and invited to settle in. No rush. No pressure.

We begin by grounding together, often with a simple mindfulness practice or a guided meditation to help everyone arrive fully in the moment. Then, we open the circle, sharing intentions, stories, or reflections linked to the evening’s theme. These themes change with the seasons, rest, renewal, boundaries, courage, self-trust, and more, always inspired by the rhythms of nature.

There’s often a creative or symbolic ritual too. Sometimes we write gentle affirmations, create with natural materials, or share a moment of collective reflection. These aren’t activities to get ‘right’; they’re invitations to explore, to express, and to be held by the process itself.

We close with quiet reflection, journaling, a poem, or simply a few moments of stillness. Sometimes round the fire. And yes, there’s usually hot chocolate involved.

Who are Women’s Circles for?

Women’s Circles are for anyone identifying as a woman who feels drawn to slowing down, reconnecting, or healing in a safe, nurturing space.

They often attract women who describe themselves as sensitive, soulful, or tired of the constant push to be “more” and “better.”

Many have been through burnout, anxiety, grief, or big life transitions. Some are rebuilding after loss or trauma. Others are simply craving genuine connection and community.

If you’ve ever thought, “I feel disconnected, but I don’t quite know why,” a Women’s Circle can be a gentle doorway home to yourself.

You don’t need to know anyone. You don’t need to say anything profound. You don’t need to say anything at all - you can just listen and be present. You don’t even need to feel “spiritual.” You only need to come as you are.

Why they matter (especially now)

We live in a world that celebrates speed, productivity, and independence. Yet, many of us are quietly running on empty, craving something slower, deeper, and more real.

In ancient times, women gathered naturally. Around fires, at wells, in kitchens, beneath the moon. They shared stories, wisdom, laughter, and tears. These gatherings weren’t luxuries; they were part of the fabric of community life.

In modern times, much of that has been lost. But the need hasn’t gone anywhere.

Patriarchy has taught many women to shrink themselves, to prioritise doing over being, and to measure worth by productivity rather than presence, so spaces like women’s circles offer a much-needed return to softness, intuition, and belonging.

A Women’s Circle is a reclamation of that ancient practice, a remembering of what happens when women gather with intention and tenderness.

It’s about belonging. It’s about being witnessed. It’s about coming home to a way of being that our bodies and hearts already know.

What you might experience

Every circle is unique, but here’s what women often share afterwards:

“I feel lighter.”
“It’s the first time I’ve really stopped in weeks.”
“I didn’t realise how much I needed this.”
“I felt seen… like truly seen.”

You may not have words for it at first. It’s more of a feeling, one of calm, grounding, and quiet strength.

In circle, there’s no hierarchy, no teacher or student. Everyone is equal. The wisdom flows between us, shared, reflected, and magnified.

You might arrive feeling anxious, scattered, uncertain, or carrying the weight of your week. You’ll leave softer, steadier, and a little more connected to yourself.

That’s the quiet power of sitting in circle.

The deeper benefits of Women’s Circles

While the experience itself feels simple, the impact often runs deep. Over time, women describe:

🌙 Greater self-acceptance
You learn to meet yourself where you are, authentically, not where you think you “should” be.

🌿 Reduced stress and overwhelm
The act of slowing down in community soothes the nervous system and creates space for breath and rest.

🔥 Empowerment through authenticity
Being witnessed in your truth builds confidence, trust, and compassion, not the loud, performative kind, but the quiet strength that comes from within.

💫 A sense of belonging
You realise you’re not alone. Your story may differ, but the emotions are shared, familiar, and human.

🌾 Connection to nature and rhythm
Themes often follow the seasons, helping you live more cyclically, honouring the natural rise and fall of energy, rest, and renewal.

Common myths about Women’s Circles

“It sounds a bit woo-woo.”
It’s really not. While some circles include spiritual elements like meditation, rituals or seasonal reflection, it’s always about personal connection, not dogma or belief. Everything is invitational - you take part in a way that feels right for you.

“I’m not sure I’d know what to say.”
That’s completely okay. Silence is always welcome. You’re never put on the spot. You can listen, reflect, or simply rest in the shared energy of the group.

“It’s only for spiritual people.”
Not at all. Circles attract all kinds of women, teachers, carers, business owners, mothers, healers, students, retirees. What matters is your openness, not your background.

“I’m too introverted for something like that.”
Actually, many introverts love circle work because it’s calm, structured, and non-judgmental. There’s no pressure to perform or talk, presence is enough.

Why I hold circles

I began holding Women’s Circles through attending them myself and feeling the benefits. It’s also because I saw, time and again, how deeply women were craving genuine connection and slowness.

So many of us are carrying invisible weight, the emotional labour, the perfectionism, the trying to hold it all together. Circles offer a sacred pause from that.

They’re not about fixing what’s broken, but remembering what’s already whole.

Through stillness, sharing, and creativity, we begin to reclaim the parts of ourselves that got lost along the way. The parts that long for softness, truth, and rest.

And when one woman reconnects with her wholeness, it ripples outward, to her family, her work, her community, her world.

That’s why I believe this work matters.

What to expect if you join one

If you decide to come to a Women’s Circle, know that you’ll be held gently from the moment you arrive.

Bring a journal if you like, wear something comfortable, and maybe a cosy layer or blanket. You’ll find yourself in a small group of women, usually between 6 and 8, each with their own story, each brave enough to show up.

There’s time for quiet, for reflection, and for laughter. You might cry, you might not. Either way, you’ll leave feeling lighter and a little more yourself.

A few words to leave you with

“The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate and expand her sense of actual possibilities.”
– Adrienne Rich

That’s what circle is. A space to illuminate what’s possible, together.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t have to arrive in a certain mood. You only have to arrive.

And the rest, the softening, the remembering, the reconnecting, will unfold naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often do you hold Women’s Circles?
I host them at least monthly, following the rhythm of the seasons and moon phases. Each one has a different theme, but the structure and energy remain familiar and grounding.

2. Do I need to bring anything?
You’re welcome to bring a journal, water bottle, and anything that helps you feel cosy, a blanket, shawl, or cushion. Everything else is provided.

3. Do I have to share personal details?
Never. Sharing is always an invitation, not an expectation. You can participate as much or as little as feels right for you.

4. Is it religious or spiritual?
It’s not tied to any religion. Circles draw inspiration from nature, mindfulness, and ancient traditions of women gathering in community. It’s about connection, not doctrine. There are spiritual elements, but they are invitational (so optional).

5. How many people usually attend?
Each circle is kept small and intimate, usually around 6-8 women, so everyone feels seen and safe.

6. What if I’m nervous about coming alone?
You won’t be the only one. Most women come alone the first time, and by the end of the evening, there’s always warmth, laughter, and new connections forming. You are welcome to message me beforehand or arrive a bit early. Just reach out.

7. How can I find out about upcoming circles?
You can find all upcoming dates here: www.naturally-mindful.co.uk/workshops
Or join my mailing list to receive gentle reminders and reflections each month.

What Is a Women’s Circle (And Why They’re More Needed Than Ever)