Restoration Circle: Returning to Ourselves in the Work of Change
- Anurika Onyenso
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
On December 3rd, from shared spaces and quiet corners across vastly different time zones, 37 of us gathered on Zoom…
Not for a working session.
And, not for another call to action.
Hosted by Canada Confesses’ Events Lead, Anurika (Rika) Onyenso and facilitated by mental health practitioner Yawa Idi, this hour-long gathering was designed for those who are often asked to hold everything and everyone else. It invited us to step out of urgency, even briefly, and return to the body, to breathe, and to the deeper “why” beneath our work.
The Need for Restoration
The session was created with a clear intention: to support DEI practitioners, youth activists, and community workers navigating burnout, compassion fatigue, and the quiet weight of sustained advocacy.
Many participants came carrying exactly that.
People who are used to facilitating, organizing, advocating. People who hold space in classrooms, community circles, boardrooms and movements. People who rarely get to be held in return.
From the beginning, there was an unspoken understanding in the (virtual) room: this space would be different.
It would not ask for productivity.
It would not demand performance.
It would not rush.
Instead, it offered care and consciousness in equal measure.
A Space to Land
Yawa opened the session with a grounding exercise. Her pacing was gentle and intentional, and her approach made it clear that participants were invited, not expected, to engage.
Through guided somatic practices like progressive muscle relaxation and breathwork, participants were given space to reconnect with their bodies. These moments stood out as some of the most meaningful parts of the session.
“I really enjoyed the overall workshop and the PMR exercise” - Anonymous
But what made the session particularly powerful was how these practices were connected to a broader context:
Yawa wove together somatic awareness with honest reflections on burnout, urgency culture and the realities of doing equity work. Many participants recognized themselves in these conversations. It was not just about slowing down. It was about understanding why we feel the way we do in the work we carry.
Holding Space, Together
Throughout the hour, the Zoom chat became its own kind of collective storytelling space, filled with reflections, affirmations and shared recognition.
Participants expressed appreciation for the non-judgmental, restorative environment, where they could speak openly or simply be present without pressure.
“I liked that we had the space to talk about this very important topic” - Anonymous
Even within a virtual format, the intentional design allowed participants to feel seen, supported and grounded.
Beyond the Session: Seeds of a Larger Story
The “Restoration Circle" series serves as an entry point into Confessions on Native Land, a Canada Confesses project centered on storytelling, truth-telling and collective healing.
Before we can share stories outward, we must first reconnect inward.
This session created that bridge.
What We Learned
From both participant feedback and team reflection, a few key insights emerged:
Somatic practices like progressive muscle relaxation and breathwork resonated deeply. People appreciated having structured ways to reconnect with themselves.
There is a real need for spaces that bring together personal care and systemic understanding. Participants valued being able to reflect on both their inner experiences and the broader systems shaping them.
Many wanted more time. A longer session or deeper follow-up spaces could allow for more reflection and practice.
And most importantly, safe and intentional spaces like this are still rare, but clearly needed.
Behind the Scenes: Collective Effort
The success of Restoration Circle was shaped by a strong collective effort. From outreach and promotion to technical setup and facilitation, many hands contributed to making the session feel smooth and thoughtful. Registrations exceeded expectations, with participants joining from across Canada and internationally.
Huge shoutout to Priscilla Ojomu, Sana Sandhu, James Shin, Abigail Cullen, Vanitzza Cruz and Ateefa Juma for your support.
A Gentle Reminder
If there was one quiet truth that lingered after the session, it was this:
For those building, advocating, disrupting and holding space for others, restoration is not indulgent. It is necessary. It is necessary for sustaining the work over time.
What might shift if we allowed ourselves to come back to ourselves more often?
If this gathering spoke to you, we’d love to have you in the next one.
Explore upcoming Restoration Circles, panels, and workshops designed for care, connection, and collective reflection.
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