Sunday Calming Creative Circle

A free online creative circle for mindfulness, seasonal reflection, nervous system care, and connection.

Sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is slow down.

Life has a way of filling our calendars, our minds, and our nervous systems until we lose touch with the quieter parts of ourselves. The Sunday Calming Creative Circle was created during a season when I deeply needed that reminder myself. It became a gentle place to pause…to breathe, create, reflect, and begin the week with intention rather than urgency.

Since first gathering in December 2024, this circle has grown into a beloved seasonal community where creativity, ritual, and shared presence come together in support of nervous system care. Together, we follow the changing rhythms of the year through simple creative practices, mindful reflection, and community connection.

You don’t need to think of yourself as artistic to belong here. You only need to arrive just as you are.

This Circle May Be for You If…

• You long for a calmer, more intentional way to begin your week.
• You enjoy creative activities but don’t want the pressure of making something “good.”
• You’re a Highly Sensitive Person who benefits from quieter, gently structured spaces.
• You’d like to develop a mindfulness practice that feels creative, embodied, and accessible.
• You’re drawn to seasonal living, simple rituals, and meaningful reflection.
• You appreciate small groups where there’s room to breathe.
• You’re looking for a welcoming community where sensitivity is understood and respected.
• You’d like to reconnect with yourself through creativity, even if you’re unsure where to begin.

Meet Your Facilitator

Sunday Calming Creative Circle is facilitated by Heather Hassenbein, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), Registered Art Therapist (BCATR), and founder of Constellations Counselling.

Heather’s work is rooted in sensitivity, creativity, ritual, and the belief that healing and self-discovery don’t always happen through conversation alone. Over the past several years, her work has increasingly centered on seasonal rhythms, creativity, and community as gentle pathways back to ourselves.

She brings a warm, relational, and trauma-informed presence to every gathering, creating spaces where people feel safe enough to slow down, notice what is present, and reconnect with themselves through creativity.

You can learn more about Heather at the bottom of this page.

Autumn Series

Returning to Rhythm

After the spaciousness of summer, autumn invites us back into rhythm.

Not the hurried rhythm of productivity or obligation, but the quieter rhythms that help us feel grounded: changing light, cooler mornings, familiar routines, creative practice, and gathering together in community.

For Highly Sensitive People, transitions often ask more of the nervous system. Returning after time away may feel comforting, energizing, uncertain, or all three at once.

This four-week series invites us to move gently into autumn, exploring how simple rituals, creativity, and seasonal awareness can help us feel more settled as the season changes.

Together, we will explore how rhythm can become a form of regulation, how simple rituals can offer steadiness, and how returning to ourselves can be practised slowly rather than forced.

🍂 September 6: Returning to Rhythm

After a summer of different routines, rest, travel, or simply living at another pace, this first gathering invites us to gently find our rhythm again. Rather than beginning the season by asking what we should accomplish, we will begin by noticing what helps us feel supported, steady, and connected to ourselves.

Reflection Questions

• What rhythms helped me feel grounded before summer?
• What feels supportive to return to now?
• What am I ready to welcome into this new season?
• What kind of rhythm does my nervous system need this autumn?

Example Intentions and Affirmations

• “I return gently.”
• “I create rhythms that support me.”
• “I allow consistency to grow slowly.”
• “I begin this season with care.”

🍂 September 13: Creating Gentle Anchors

As the season begins to change, small rituals can help us feel more settled within it.

This gathering explores the everyday practices that bring us back to ourselves. A cup of tea, a familiar creative practice, a quiet walk, lighting a candle, or taking a few intentional breaths can become an anchor when life feels busy or uncertain.

Reflection Questions

• What helps me feel anchored in my day?
• Which small rituals already support me?
• Where in my life am I craving more steadiness?
• What kind of anchor would feel nourishing rather than demanding?

Example Intentions and Affirmations

• “I return to what steadies me.”
• “I create small moments of care.”
• “My rituals can be simple.”
• “I allow consistency to feel gentle.”

🍂 September 20: Listening to the Changing Season

As the Autumn Equinox approaches, the balance between light and dark begins to shift.

The days grow shorter. The air cools. The natural world begins turning inward.

This gathering invites us to notice what the changing season is awakening within us and what our own bodies may be asking for as autumn arrives.

Reflection Questions

• What am I noticing about the changing season?
• How is my body responding to the shift in light and temperature?
• What feels ready to slow down?
• What would it mean to listen to the season rather than resist it?

Example Intentions and Affirmations

• “I listen to the season.”
• “I honour the rhythm of change.”
• “I allow myself to slow down.”
• “I notice what my body needs.”

🍂 September 27: Gathering What Sustains Me

As our first autumn series comes to a close, we will gather what has felt meaningful. Not everything needs to be carried forward. This gathering invites us to notice the people, practices, places, and rituals that genuinely sustain us and to choose what we want to keep close as the season deepens.

Reflection Questions

• What has been sustaining me lately?
• What do I want to carry into the months ahead?
• What no longer needs my energy?
• What helps me feel connected, supported, and resourced?

Example Intentions and Affirmations

• “I carry what sustains me.”
• “I choose what supports my well-being.”
• “I release what no longer needs my energy.”
• “I move into autumn with care.”

What to Expect

Each gathering follows a gentle rhythm designed to support mindful presence, nervous system regulation, and seasonal reflection through creativity.

Together we’ll…

• arrive and settle together
• participate in a grounding practice based on the theme
• set a personal intention as a group
• spend time creating in whatever medium feels supportive
• close with sharing and reflection

You are invited to participate in whatever way feels most comfortable for you. Sharing is always optional. Conversation is welcome. Quiet moments are welcome too. There is no critique, no pressure to explain what you create, and no expectation to make anything polished or perfect. Presence, curiosity, and showing up exactly as you are is enough.

What to Bring

Bring whatever quiet creative practice feels supportive.

Ideas include:

• Colouring
• Drawing or doodling
• Painting
• Journaling
• Collage
• Pattern-making
• Knitting or crochet
• Any simple handcraft

No art experience is needed. The focus is not on the finished product, but on the experience of creating.

Group Details

Location: Online via Zoom

Hosted From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Dates: Sundays, September 6–27, 2026

Time: 5:00–6:15 PM Pacific Time

Session Length: 75 minutes

Cost: Free

Group Rhythm: We gather for four consecutive weeks, followed by two weeks of rest before beginning a new seasonal series.

A Free Community Offering

While therapeutic in nature, Sunday Calming Creative Circle is not a therapy group. It is a free, non-clinical community offering centered on creativity, mindfulness, reflection, and connection. No clinical services are provided. No clinical records are created. This group is not eligible for insurance reimbursement.

A Note to Participants

This is a welcoming and inclusive space for all. We value kindness, respect, curiosity, and care for one another. Because the circle is intentionally kept small, we kindly ask that you register only if you reasonably expect to attend. If your plans change, please cancel your reservation or let Heather know so your space can be offered to someone else.

No-Show Policy

If you register for two gatherings and do not attend either one without letting us know beforehand, we may no longer be able to reserve a space for you. This helps ensure everyone who wishes to participate has an opportunity to join the circle.

Privacy & AI Recording Policy

To honour the privacy and sacred nature of our gatherings, AI meeting assistants, automated note-taking tools (such as Read.ai, Otter.ai, and Fathom), recording, and screenshots are not permitted. Please disable any automated meeting assistants before joining. Our circles are intentionally human-only spaces grounded in creativity, presence, and trust.

Reserve Your Spot in this Mindful Sunday Circle

Choose your day(s) and time to reserve your spot. 

Looking foward to connecting with you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the circle take place?

The circle is hosted on Zoom. Please note that the host is in Vancouver, BC, Canada (PDT time zone), so be sure to check the time difference for your location.

Do I need to bring anything?

Yes, all participants must come with their own art supplies, including colouring books, sheets, or whatever you’d like to work on.

What if I’m running late?

We kindly ask that you arrive on time to honor the shared space and respect everyone’s time. Please note late arrivals will not be admitted during the Grounding and Intention-Setting rituals, as these moments are part of a sacred flow, and interruptions can disrupt the group’s energy and focus.

What if I can’t stay for the entire session?

You are welcome to leave early if needed. We understand life happens, and we’re happy to have you join for as much time as you’re able.

Can I join if I’ve never practiced mindfulness before?

Absolutely! This group is beginner-friendly and designed to help you ease into mindfulness through a simple, accessible activity like colouring.

Is this group therapy?

No, this is not a therapy group. While the circle is led by a registered clinical counsellor and designed to promote mindfulness and connection, it is a supportive and creative space for personal reflection and relaxation, not a therapeutic session.

What kind of colouring materials should I bring?

Bring whatever feels right to you—this might include colouring books, printed sheets, blank paper, or even digital colouring apps. Colored pencils, markers, or crayons all work great. Choose what brings you joy and comfort!

Do I need to have my camera on during the session?

To foster safety and connection during introductions and the closing ritual, we ask that cameras be turned on. For the colouring portion, we encourage you to explore different camera views. Showing your colouring in the camera view can enhance the shared environment and create a community feel.

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