Why I’m Building The PAUSE Network®

I never set out to create “a thing.” There was no grand vision, no business plan. I just had a thought this Summer and by early Autumn it was in motion. It was created by a desperate part that has grown weary of the relentless pressure felt by being a business owner in Perimenopause. That part of me is tired of pretending I can keep up with my younger self.

So - I founded The PAUSE Network® - a response to my own lived reality.

After 4+ years in the solopreneurial world, I’ve learned a lot, and unlearned even more. So here I am, creating the supportive structure I genuinely need. And if I need it, I suspect there are other self-employed folks out there who could use it too.

How I’m Finding It So Far

Uuuugh - it’s hard. A lot of the time I feel like throwing in the towel before I even get started. I really underestimated how much work it would take, along with patience (not my strong suit) and a willingness to hold onto a vision when the evidence feels distant.

And as I am deep in Perimenopause - I’m dealing with fluctuating energy levels, hormones that can turn me into a puddle of emotions, and that confusing foggy-brain rubbish. It’s an emotional load that feels heavier than I ever expected.

This isn’t about creating a shiny brand. It’s a living, breathing entity that sometimes feels like I’m building the room while sitting in it, hoping others will join me.

But, when I find myself questioning everything, I return to this: if I need a space like this, others do too.

This isn’t just theory - it’s what people are telling me - so I refuse to give up on something that supports me too!

What I Hope For It

I don’t need The PAUSE Network® to become the biggest thing out there. I’m not chasing viral fame or racing to scale up overnight. I don’t want to recreate the exhausting environments that pushed me to my limits in the first place.

What I really hope for is much simpler, and more profound…I want this to be a sanctuary where people can truly land:

a warm, inviting space that feels like home

a place where you can show up as you are, whether you’re feeling foggy, clear, flat, or bursting with inspiration

At The PAUSE Network®, I want to help you breathe without the weight of expectations, knowing you belong just as you are.

Picture a circle of like-minded souls, gathered together, sharing laughter and tears, stories and wisdom. This is a space where we openly share our experiences without fear of judgment, where we remind one another that we’re not alone in our struggles. We acknowledge that our bodies are changing and embrace those shifts instead of pretending they don’t exist.

We won’t minimise our lived realities or idolise productivity as if it’s our only worth.

In this community, slowness isn’t shamed; it’s celebrated. We’ll share stories of our struggles and victories, where each pause becomes a moment of connection rather than a sign of weakness.

So many people I’ve spoken to who are post-menopause have expressed a wish that something like this had been around for them. They long for a supportive network that understands the unique challenges and transformations midlife brings. I want to create that space now, so no one has to feel alone in their journey.

This community is more than just a network; we’ll weave our shared experiences and diverse stories into it. Each thread being woven in, will represent someone’s journey, creating a delicious picture of solidarity.

That’s the vision that fuels my passion.

And that’s why I keep going, even on the days when doubt sneaks in. I see business owners sitting at their desks, wrestling with feelings of inadequacy because their pace has shifted. They’re wondering why everything feels harder than it did in their 30s, questioning if they’re the only ones in this struggle - and of course they’re not!

The PAUSE Network® will remind us that we are in this together, holding space for each other’s journeys, sharing our burdens, and celebrating our victories.

So, I’ll keep building it…slowly, intentionally, and with a whole lot of heart, because the future of business for us isn’t about hustle; it’s about allowing ourselves to pause, connect, and still feel like we belong.

How To Get Involved

If this resonates, you’re welcome to sit with us online and feel it for yourself. We meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 12pm (UK time) for coworking and connection. There’s no performative hype and no expectation to be “switched on”. Just real humans doing the best they can. You can book a session whenever you feel ready — and if it’s your first time, use the code FIRSTPAUSE at checkout to come along for free.

And if you’d also like to be the first to hear when in-person PAUSE Network® events begin, I’ve set up a simple waitlist form here.

The PAUSE Network® logo by Bec Morris