Take a breather
The topic of sexual violence can be heavy, and even in a bright and warm space dedicated to healing, sometimes you need a moment to step away.
The Breathe Room is a gentle reminder that you’re allowed to take breaks. Here, we offer quiet spaces, trauma-informed support, and tools to help you reconnect.
The Breathe Room
A space to pause, process, and reconnect with yourself.
At Awakenings, we know that healing is not a linear journey. Creativity can stir deep emotions, and survivorship is often held in both the body and mind. That’s why we’ve created the Breathe Room – a quiet, low-stimulation space within our studio, designed for you to take a moment whenever you need it.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, reflective, or just need stillness, this room is here for you. There’s no need to ask or explain, just go, breathe, and return when you’re ready.
We have a trauma-informed studio
Emotional support and safety is at the heart of every program we offer. Our staff is trained in trauma-informed care and committed to creating a space where your autonomy, boundaries, and lived experiences are respected. We don’t ask you to share anything you don’t want to, and we trust you to know what your healing needs.
From the way we speak to the way we structure our programs, everything is designed with compassion and intention. You’re invited to participate on your own terms, always.
Join a Workshop
We make art together at our workshops and open studio hours. We’d love to see you there.
Find a Cohort
Our cohort program allows our survivors to heal together in a safe, trauma-informed environment, while building a creative community.
Free Resource: Facing Unstructured Time
Unstructured Time can be an uncomfortable experience. Especially if we are diving into it with activated emotions. We can build skills and awareness around coping with and accepting unstructured time by reflecting on the benefits and importance of having unstructured time. Remember: Not every crisis is a learning opportunity, but maybe you can use this time to hone the skill of managing unstructured time. Download this Unstructured Time Gratitude Worksheet or use it as a journal prompt as a way to practice gratitude, process emotions, and adapt to our life’s current changes.
Listen to “Layers” by Kaleigh Michelle Mattson
KALEIGH MICHELLE MATTSON is a freelance musician, director, and visual artist, residing in the south suburbs of Chicago. She is excited to be part of Gallery of Sounds, and to share some of her original works with you. Her music is inspired by her journey to heal after surviving sexual trauma and assault, and the works she is sharing are from a song cycle she is working on called METAMORPHOSIS, which is a musical reflection on a decade of a journey of healing from sexual trauma. She was last seen at Awakening’s Songs of Survival event in May 2019. Outside of writing and playing music, Kaleigh loves directing theatre projects, teaching, painting, hiking, rescuing animals, and cooking plant-based food. Follow her on Instagram and YouTube @lifewithkale .
View some of our online resources:
Below is a compilation of resources that make up our Virtual Breathe Room
Video – An extended body scan meditation Meditation Exercise
These mindfulness meditations are provided to give you space and comfort as a reminder of how we can take time for ourselves to be present and potentially find some sense of momentary relief.
Created by Deanna Digiulio, Student of The Mindfulness Center
Healthy Coping Mechanism Exercise Play coping mechanism bingo!
When negative feelings surface or are activated, it can be incredibly difficult to find our way to ease. Use this Bingo Exercise as a way to take steps to deescalate your feelings and find peace.
You can adapt any of these to fit what you have on hand or what you need in this moment. Try to hit a Bingo!
Create, connect, & heal
Find your place in our circle of creators, where every artistic choice is valid and every emotion is welcome. Healing isn’t linear, nor a path you have to walk alone.