Join Group Hugs for the support you want right now
We meet once a week on Zoom and talk about our feelings. That's all. Just talking and listening and giving each other support.
The group meets Monday afternoons from 4-5 pm Eastern time. We won't record the sessions, so everyone can speak freely. Come and talk about what you're feeling, what you're worried about, what's making you happy.
$65/month
Everything's stressful already, and it feels like there's a new stupid thing every day
Being human in the United States is not easy right now, even when good things are happening for you personally.
If social media feels unsafe or unsatisfying now but you want community, Group Hugs is just right for you.
If you're tired of making your partner or BFF hear all your feelings, or you're surrounded by people who don't get why all this is so scary, or you're just tired of all the worries winding around and around inside your head and chest, Group Hugs is just right for you.
If you're generally doing well but can't talk about it because it feels weird to be doing well when all our structures are conspiring to crush us, Group Hugs is just right for you.
If you just need a group of people to talk to that you know wish good things for you and understand when you can't be cheerful, Group Hugs is just right for you.
It's a support group, spiritual yawp, and community circle all at the same time.
"I feel like a bit of the weight has been lifted from my heart" -- A Group Hugs member who lives in a very red area
Group Hugs is simple and supportive
Every week, log into the Zoom call and talk about your feelings with the rest of the group, or just listen. There's nothing else to do, no reading or homework, and no message board or chat group (I don't want people getting into an adrenaline loop of checking for messages all day every day). Just come when you can and want to, and talk about what you want to talk about, and listen and support the others in the group.
By joining, you agree to some things
By purchasing this subscription you agree to keep the group and everyone in it as safe as possible. You agree not to disclose anything said in Group Hugs to anyone else, not to download any captions or transcripts from any Group Hugs sessions, and not to engage in Misery Poker in the group. (Misery Poker means comparing your own pain or distress to others', either to downplay their pain and distress or to downplay your own pain and distress. Everybody's pain is valid.)
You agree to give everyone in the group (including yourself) the benefit of the doubt, to co-create safety in the group, and be honest and kind.
Group Hugs is for putting your feelings out there for validation, not a place to vent negative feelings unchecked. Reality matters, so if you're looping or spiraling, we'll call you on it (kindly), and we expect you to call people on it (kindly) if they're getting into a spiral.
Group Hugs is not therapy, or a substitute for therapy.
Hosted by me
It's me, Magda Pecsenye, formerly Ask Moxie, the parenting advice blogger who helped you work through all your parenting questions while staying true to yourself. Currently I'm writing a newsletter about being a human during the collapse of society. Everyone always says I gather the best groups of people to talk about the things that really matter, so that's what I'm doing here. Putting together Group Hugs so you can get and give support from other good people who know that feelings matter and that we can't stay isolated or we'll stay stuck.
This isn't therapy, I'm not licensed to do anything except drive (and I'm certified in Agile Project Management, but I don't think we're going to be developing any software in Group Hugs). But I've been solving problems for people, and teaching people to solve their own problems, for decades. So some of Group Hugs is going to be solving problems, some of it is going to be congratulating you for solving problems, and some of it is going to be getting the feelings out there to feel supported when there isn't any way to solve the problem.
What Happens Next
Sign Up
You click the button to sign up and pay, and then you'll get an email confirmation that you're in the group. If you'd rather pay weekly ($15) than monthly, go to this page and sign up through the weekly page. (The amounts are exactly the same. Three monthly payments is equal to 13 weekly payments. I don't penalize anyone for wanting to pay in smaller increments.)
Click through the link when it's time for the meeting
Block off Monday at 4 pm Eastern on your calendar. On Monday morning, you'll get an email with the Zoom link for the meeting. When it's time to join, just click through.
Talk and/or listen
Say what you need to say to get it out of your body. And listen to what other people are saying to help them get it out, too. Rinse, repeat.
