Let's put down the measuring stick.
And see if we can reconnect with who we are and what we want.
Being a woman can feel like walking a tightrope while juggling a thousand invisible tasks and being made to smile through it. We carry the weight of expectations, contradictions, and a never-ending to-do list. And too often, no one even acknowledges it.
But sometimes, pop culture nails the truth. Michelle Wolf’s stand-up bit “Women can have it all,” and America Ferrera’s monologue in Barbie hit home because they name what we’ve been living: the rules for us have always been different, and impossible.
Even as little girls, we were told to be polite, be quiet, be helpful. But not too quiet. Not too bold either. We’ve been navigating double standards for as long as we can remember.
In our February event, we talked about self-love and how it helps us stop some of the negative cycles we’ve been sucked into. The kind we don’t even realize we’re repeating until we finally pause. And honestly, pausing is hard in a world that’s always on, always measuring, always pushing us to keep up.
We try to do it all: climb the ladder, show up for our families, hit the gym, host the dinner, clean the house to host the dinner… Sometimes we love those roles. Sometimes we’re just checking boxes. So, how do we tell the difference?
That’s what our June 3rd event is all about.
We’re partnering with Tara Jenkins, founder of Conscious Revolution, for a conversation about perfectionism, conditioning, and what it means to live honestly. To pause. Reflect. And choose something better, on purpose.
Tara spent years leading in HR and DEI spaces before her body and soul told her it was time for something different. As she puts it: “I couldn’t do the hypocrisy anymore.” That moment led her to create Conscious Revolution, a space for people ready to do life with more honesty and courage. We asked her to share some thoughts ahead of our June 3rd event:
We’d love to hear a bit about your background and what led you to start Conscious Revolution?
TJ: I worked in many organizations in leadership positions in HR, Organizational Development, diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Fundamentally, I decided to start Conscious Revolution because my body and soul could no longer withstand hypocrisy. There's a longer story to that, of course, but that's the most succinct way to share it!
Women often carry societal expectations on how they should present themselves and live their lives. What steps can they take to shed these expectations and reconnect with what feels genuine and authentic to them?
TJ: What a great question! This lifelong inner work should be guided by a process that unfolds in each woman, as there is no one way. A deeper connection and articulation of one's values is a natural starting place for many. Education about what conditioning is common in our society for women is also often illuminating, creating an awareness that can lead to rejection and an ongoing stripping away of the conditioning and moving into deeper authenticity. This takes a lot of courage!
You talk about the 'pause, notice, choose' practice. Can you walk us through what that looks like in real life and why it matters?
TJ: We have been systematically trained to be reactive, as our elevated nervous systems do not permit us to be intentional and thoughtful or recognize patterns and ongoing harm in a way that slowing down, intentionality, and authenticity allow. Pause, notice, and choose is a fugitive move and a direct act of resistance against toxic productivity and the white and male supremacy culture that we are all swimming around in. You are slowing down to intentionally determine a response that is consistent with your values, rather than perpetuating speed, quantity over quality, and the conditioning we've all experienced of reacting in a Power Over mode rather than a Power With mode. When something happens that you want to react to, a reaction often leads to us not showing up as our best selves - pausing, noticing what's going on for you, and making a choice about how you'd like to respond leads to a deeper connection to oneself and then a deeper connection to others.
So, let’s pause together. This isn’t about doing less. It’s about being more intentional in how we show up and live our lives. It might get awkward. But, afterwards, it will likely feel incredible.
Bring your questions and your full self to our event on June 3rd from 6-8 pm. Just remember that you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it all out before showing up.
We can’t wait to see you.
UPCOMING HELD EVENTS
To receive invites to held events, please sign up here and share with those who would be interested.
Sign up for our last event before we pause for the summer!
Burn the Script: Tuesday, June 3rd, 6-8pm @ Conscience Revolution, 10 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine
As women, we move through a system that was never made for us. It’s no wonder so many of us are constantly comparing, questioning, second-guessing. We shrink, edit, overthink. Not because we’re weak, but because we’ve been conditioned to believe we are.
Together with Conscious Revolution, we’re creating a place to pause. To reflect. To see who we are beneath the noise and possibly take a step towards something liberating. Register here.
ABOUT
Held was an idea that developed over a cup of coffee. Tenaya and Mary Beth are passionate about their community in Portland, Maine, and wanted to create something that made women feel supported and connected.
Life can feel overwhelming and isolating, and let’s be honest—building a sense of community can seem intimidating or out of reach. At held, we believe that being seen and feeling a true sense of belonging are essential to well-being. That’s why we create events that bring people together in a natural, inclusive, and inspiring way. More than just meetups, our gatherings are designed to foster personal growth, spark new friendships, strengthen existing connections, and redefine what it means to truly connect.
To receive invites, please sign up here and share with those who would be interested. We hope to see you soon!
CLASSIFIEDS
Discover Culture Through Cuisine with en-noble
At EN-NOBLE, we believe that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect with the world. We curate enriching, in-person cultural experiences for those who crave deeper understanding through taste, tradition, and storytelling.
Our unique events include interactive cooking demonstrations led by talented home cooks and chefs from around the globe, guided tours of specialty markets, and curated tastings that highlight the authentic flavors of diverse cultures.
Join us every week (July-August) :
Wednesdays, 4-6 PM - Grocery Store Experience & Tasting
Fridays, 6–8 PM – Live Cooking Demo
Sundays, 4–6 PM – Live Cooking Demo
Previous experiences have featured an Angolan cook preparing Calulu de Peixe alongside an Iraqi chef creating Iraqi Biryani with Toasted Sha'riyya—a vibrant celebration of heritage and hospitality.
Join us to expand your palate and your perspectives, and visit www.en-noble.com to book your next cultural adventure!