Reader,

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If we’re ever sharing space in a group (a.k.a. a webinar, q&a, my program) you’ll find out that there's a container I like to keep. If you’ve ever been part of or facilitated a group experience you know that we tend to call this group agreements or group expectations.

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My rebel self has always had a hard time with the word expectations. And my questioning self has always wondered if all people in a group really agree to the agreements (read people who need more time than the norm to process information, people who are introverts, people who were culturally socialized to not take much space or even speak up, people who have experienced trauma, etc, etc).

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This is far from being perfect, but so far I’ve landed on the word container. This is because if you're ever in a group with me, I won’t have any expectations of you whatsoever. And I believe that we need to get to know each other well to really come up with embodied agreements. So, for now, and until I think of a better term that has a loving and compassionate intention, I’ll offer a container.

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It's my responsibility as a facilitator to offer a container. It seems one sided though (let’s be honest, you don’t get a say in what the container is). But since I try to give people as much informed consent as I can, it occurred to me that I can share my container with all of you, so that you know what to expect if we’re ever sharing space, even before you sign up for any of my offerings.

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My embodied container:

• We're not doing well: we’re dealing with a pandemic, current and past sociopolitical challenges, vicarious trauma, challenging personal circumstances, and more. So let’s be extra patient and compassionate with ourselves first and foremost.
• Let’s respect where everyone else is at in their journeys of decolonization. Let’s respect each other’s pace and process.
• Let’s denounce oppression EVERYWHERE and acknowledge and stand in solidarity with ALL who are oppressed.
• We're learning (liberation) and unlearning (colonization).
• We speak from the experiences of our bodies and our identities only, while respecting especially the experiences of people living in bodies and with identities that have been systemically and historically marginalized.

What are some of the expectations, rules, agreements, containers you’ve resonated with when being part of or when facilitating a group? Hit reply and let me know!

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With much warmth and softness,

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Silvana @ Decolonize Your Practice​

PS.

🔥 🔥 For all the planners out there (like myself): Decolonize Your Practice is coming back next year in late January! Go check my site to get the dates in your calendar and make sure you can join me for this 8-week experience!! 🔥 🔥

Let's connect!