The Pause — Both / And

About this event

This month's thread: What if both can be true?

We often think of ourselves as one thing or the other.

A talker or a listener. A planner or a wanderer. Someone who wants closeness or someone who needs space.

But people are rarely only one thing.

This month’s Pause is an experiment in what happens when we spend a little time with someone standing somewhere different from us — and get curious about where those differences might be less opposite than they first appear.

The Pause is a small outdoor gathering for people who want to slow down, spend time in nature, and have real conversation without the usual pressure to network, perform, or make something happen.

There is nothing to get right and no conclusion you are supposed to reach.

We’ll keep this gathering intentionally simple.

We’ll begin by exploring one or two human continuums together—not as personality types or labels, but as places to notice where we are today.

Then you'll spend time talking with someone who stands somewhere different from you.

Maybe you'll talk about: - Why this spot? - What's good about being over here? - Do you ever surprise yourself by being the exact opposite?

And then we'll leave room for the conversation to go where it goes.

Less structure this time. More room to encounter another person. A little movement. A little quiet. Conversation. Curiosity. And tea. — This may be for you if…

• You enjoy meaningful conversation without forced intimacy.

• You're curious about how different people experience the same world.

• You like questions that open something rather than immediately resolve it.

• You want to meet interesting people without having to work the room.

• Or you simply want an hour or so where nothing is asking you to be “on.”

— What this is NOT… - No networking. - No debate. - No personality typing. - No advice circle. - No forced sharing. - No need to agree. - And no need to turn your Sunday morning into another self-improvement project.

You can always pass on an invitation, choose quiet over conversation, or participate in whatever feels comfortable for you. — Bring A mug you love. I’ll bring organic herbal tea and hot water. Wear comfortable walking shoes and layers appropriate for Santa Fe weather. Reusable mugs help us keep the gathering simple and low-waste. I’ll have a couple of extras in case someone forgets. — Who's hosting? I’m Stef Lum, a facilitator, integrative somatic practitioner, and coach with a background in communication arts, visual design, and multidisciplinary creative practice.

I'm interested in attention, perception, creativity, human connection, and designing experiences that let us encounter familiar things a little differently.

The Pause is part of Santa Fe Connection + Curiosity Lab (SFCCL ), a community I'm creating around connection, curiosity, creativity, and experiences that invite us to notice something we might otherwise pass by. SFCCL gatherings are educational and experiential community events. They are not therapy, mental health treatment, or coaching. — FREE • LIMITED TO 10 PEOPLE Come curious. Please RSVP only if you reasonably expect to attend. If your plans change, update your RSVP as soon as possible so someone on the waitlist can join. Please arrive 5–10 minutes early so we can begin together.

Sunday, November 8 – 11 AM • Patrick Smith Park Restroom note: There is no restroom on-site.

From Santa Fe Connection + Curiosity Lab