Workplace communication has its own weird language.

A period can feel aggressive. A “…” can mean absolutely nothing to one person and something to another. A thumbs-up can be a genuine thumbs-up or somehow leave you wondering what you did wrong.

Then there are all the unspoken rules of being “professional.” How friendly should you be? How direct is too direct? When does feedback become passive-aggressive? When does competition between coworkers start changing the way people treat each other?

Sometimes we know there is tension. Other times, we’re trying to figure out if there was tension at all.

Different communication styles, generations, personalities, and workplace cultures can make something as simple as a message surprisingly complicated. And when you spend enough time with the same people, it can be hard not to read into the tiny things.

This Space is about the strange social world of work. We’ll talk about the things we interpret, the things we misunderstand, and all the unwritten rules we somehow learned we were supposed to follow.

Transition moment: decoding everything >> setting the read between the lines aside

Vibe: Raw, a little chaotic, validating, messy, and unfiltered.

All of it welcomed — panic, pause, pivots, and the small victories in between. Show up as you are here. No questions, no advice, no judgement.

A Space for exploring the chaotic, exhausting, nonlinear experience of change, survival, and becoming. We hold space for the aftermath of trauma — and just, the ick of life — for uncertain identities, invisible burdens, and the weight of the “in-between.” Here, we honor the messy moments, the stumbles, the hard pivots, and the small victories that don’t follow a script.

🪐 This Space is for you if:

• 🌀 You’re in the messy middle of something and don’t have the words yet
• 🌱 You’re figuring out who you are after survival, loss, burnout, or life upheaval
• 🛤️ You’re tired of advice and coping tips and need space to move through life in your own way, even if it looks different from others
• 🤍 Something inside you is saying it’s OK to be here, even if you’re unsure why

In this Space, we’re not here to fix each other. We’re here to witness, validate, and walk alongside one another in the in-between — honoring panic, pause, pivots, and repeats alike.

💬 Themes we may explore:

• Justice, societal pressures, diversity, equity, inclusion, access and representation
• Embracing and sitting with emotions
• Transitions in family, relationships, identity, careers, hobbies, and values
• Finding your voice, worth, and agency — living for yourself, not comparison
• Navigating spaces that don't see or believe you

☁️ Why this Space matters:

Transitions aren’t tidy. Growth doesn’t follow a straight line. Healing doesn’t happen on schedule. And not everyone gets a clear “before and after.” This Space centers the human experience — raw, real, and unfiltered. Your truth matters. It’s for people who’ve lived through something, are still living through it, or aren’t sure what comes next. Together, we practice naming the hard stuff, honoring rest, leaning into the panic and the pause, and embracing the pivots that keep us moving forward — however slowly.

And here you are, living despite it all.

— Rupi Kaur

• Click here to learn more about what to expect during a Space Session.

• Check out my other Space, Still Sick, Still Here. A Space for folx navigating chronic health, illness, pain, mental health and disabilities.

Questions? claire@totem.org