I’ve been running circles since my babies were tiny — back when my sleep was interrupted every 90 minutes and spare time felt like a myth.

So I’ve learned how to get my energetic prep down to a short, sweet, and sacred art form.

If you’re juggling motherhood, work, and community care too, this one’s for you.

My Pre-Circle Ritual

1. Arrive Early (but realistically early)

I aim to get to the venue 15 minutes earlier than the time it takes to physically set up.

That might not sound like much, but it’s enough to stop me from feeling rushed and frantic.

As I set out cushions, cups, and build a simple altar (about a 45-minute job), I blast upbeat music from my clubbing days in my 20s.

Yep — no whale sounds or chanting bowls here. Just whatever gets my heart rate up and shakes off any nervous energy sitting in my body.

2. Keep the Door Closed Until Start Time

This was a game-changer.

I used to let women arrive early, thinking it was welcoming — but what actually happened was it disrupted my rhythm.

I’ve learned that most women arrive early because they want those precious minutes away from home and to settle in themselves.

But by holding the boundary and keeping the door closed until we begin, I protect those last moments for myself to ground and drop in.

3. Play Please Prepare Me by Beautiful Chorus

Every single circle, without fail.

Once I’m set up, I pop this song on. It’s my anchor track and it signals to my whole system that it’s time to land.

I close my eyes, lengthen my breath, and let the mantra wash over me.

It reminds me that this isn’t about being perfect, wise, or polished.

It’s about being present, safe, and real for the women walking through that door.

That’s It — Simple, Doable, Grounding.

A little dancing.

A boundary or two.

A song that drops me in.

That’s my energetic prep sorted.

✨ Want to Learn How to Hold Women’s Circles of Your Own?

If you’ve been craving a way to gather women together, to offer them a space that feels both sacred and human, I’d love to invite you to join Together: Women’s Circle Facilitator Training.

It’s self-paced, designed for mothers and women with busy, overthinking brains, and it’ll give you everything you need to start holding circles confidently — even if you’ve got little ones at your feet.

👉🏻 Check it out and join us here.

Your community is waiting.