October has been a BIG behind the scenes month.

I’ve been making small shifts, acting on the recognition that I need more space and time for creativity and contribution. These shifts involve going slower, pulling back from activities, holding questions about capacity, practicing meditation, and prioritizing writing toward a collaborative book project. These shifts feel exciting—like they support me in showing up more fully, vulnerably, and with presence. And these shifts will impact both the capacity and pricing for Heart-Head-Hands, which I describe below.

A Glimpse Behind the Scenes  

These past few months, I’ve been slowing down to clarify commitments.

I’m growing my belief in my own artistry. I’m befriending surly voices (like “must be nice…”) that would typically keep me going-going-going. Instead of running from fear, I’m standing in place. I’m engaging in ancestral healing around money and power abuse. I’m listening to friends and colleagues who encourage me to prioritize spaciousness. And I’m recognizing that spaciousness needs me (not only that I need spaciousness). Time and space are needed for more creative solutions and writing to emerge.

The backstory is that since this summer, every counseling session I’ve had has focused on questions of capacity. Back in August, I wrote the question—“Do I have capacity?”—on sticky notes that have since been positioned around my home. These notes are on the refrigerator, bathroom mirror, and my monitor. I also have added weekly reminders “check in with capacity” in my calendar so that I can’t get through more than a few days without consciously asking about capacity. The question is central to my life and connected with the strong desires that arose from my experience with covid back in June: go slower, stay true to commitments, and prioritize writing and walking.

So much of this self-work is focused on learning and unlearning. So much is deeply personal and remains behind the scenes. But a lot of it also relates to how I’m following commitments and showing up in coaching and in my writing and in shared group spaces. A lot of it will be reflected in the direction of Heart-Head-Hands ~ especially through recognition that I want to be well-resourced and well-rested in and for this relational work.

So, over the next few weeks—heading into the holidays, my business anniversary, and the new year—I’ll be bringing behind the scenes work onto center stage.

Preview of What’s Changing

There are five primary changes because of this behind the scenes work:

1. Gatherings: I’m wrapping up the recharge and recommit gatherings (this Wednesday is the final one). At the same time, I’m planning workshops and small-group coaching on writing and living out commitments. More dates and details are coming.

2. Gift Cards: I’ll be releasing gift cards in time for the holidays. Perhaps you’d like a writing retreat or coaching session as a gift? Or perhaps you’d like to gift a retreat or session to someone? This will be an option very soon.

3. Pricing: I’m revising my pricing and Patreon subscription tiers. There will continue to be free registration options, and I want to be sure that people can access offerings and pay what they can. To make this work, I’m adding more sliding scale options and a wider range of subscription tiers. I’m also increasing the rates for full-price registration and for registration with professional development funds.

4. Website Updates: I’m asking for testimonials and updating website descriptions of the core offerings: coaching, career discernment, writing groups, writing retreats, and speaking/presentations. If you’re willing to share a short story, description, or endorsement, please do. I’m deeply grateful for this form of support!

5. Announcements: I’m gathering feedback about what people know and don’t know about my offerings. And I’m learning that I can do more with publicity because many times people don’t know that I tailor retreats for groups or that payment plans are available or that it’s ok to drop in and out of writing groups and retreats. I’m learning that I need to communicate more, and I’m seeking support for advertising and announcements. Also, I’ll say again: if you have any feedback, please let me know.

These changes, I hope, will be mutually supportive—resourcing me for this relational work and allowing people various ways into working together.

Across all of my work, I want to be creative in striving against capitalism and for economic justice. This means working against any hustle mindset or rushed body-rhythm. This also means using practices like sliding scales and payment plans instead of limited time offers or discounts for paying up front. And this means continuing to tithe 10+% of income to people, projects, and organizations striving toward social, racial, and environmental justice.

I know that change can be scary, but I’m really, really hopeful. These changes feel aligned with my desire to be in relationships of mutual support, abundance, and sustainability instead of relationships premised on urgency, growth, scarcity, extraction, or transaction.  

In the midst of changes, the core mission of Heart-Head-Hands: Everyday Living for Justice remains the same: to hold space for learning and unlearning, writing and striving toward justice. I hope you’ll join me in this work.

With deep gratitude and on the brink of more announcements,

Beth

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This post is written by Beth Godbee, Ph.D. for Heart-Head-Hands.com. Subscribe to the newsletter for upcoming announcements. A few of these announcements include: 

• Recharge and Recommit: Final gathering is Wednesday 10/26.
• Writing Retreats: Six open dates—the next is Tuesday 10/25.
• Weekly Writing Group: Registration is open for Fridays Nov-Dec.