<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Through Pause by Bronwyn Benstead]]></title><description><![CDATA[Exploring the narratives that shape your life through somatics, reflective writing, and Self-Leadership – with stories and ideas to help you respond to life with greater agency and intention.]]></description><link>https://www.blog.bronwynbenstead.com</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!oauf!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd92c1d29-afc8-477d-8326-1280d3071a6b_313x313.png</url><title>Through Pause by Bronwyn Benstead</title><link>https://www.blog.bronwynbenstead.com</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:21:36 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.blog.bronwynbenstead.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Bronwyn Benstead]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[bronwynbenstead@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[bronwynbenstead@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Bronwyn Benstead]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Bronwyn Benstead]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[bronwynbenstead@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[bronwynbenstead@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Bronwyn Benstead]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[Who are you to write?]]></title><description><![CDATA[A reintroduction as Through Pause returns.]]></description><link>https://www.blog.bronwynbenstead.com/p/who-are-you-to-write</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.blog.bronwynbenstead.com/p/who-are-you-to-write</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Bronwyn Benstead]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:52:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SpqS!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7dfe2db-d23a-4b12-81c9-d252eae55eaa_1600x900.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Who are you?<br>Who are <em>you</em> to write about the Self?</p><p>The tiny voice echoes in my mind. Despite the stinging pang of insecurity the question touches, I can&#8217;t help but laugh. The voice that poses the question bears an uncanny resemblance to the Blue Caterpillar from <em>Alice in Wonderland</em>.</p><p>What nonsense. &#8220;Who are you?&#8221; I ask back. &#8220;Whose words and stories have I taken to be my own?&#8221;</p><p>This inner part of me seems desperate to keep me small &#8211; to protect me from the opinions of others.<br><br>Narnas to that!</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!SpqS!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc7dfe2db-d23a-4b12-81c9-d252eae55eaa_1600x900.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>So who am I?</p><p>Well, hello. I&#8217;m Bronwyn &#8211; a somatic coach and commercial leader.</p><p>Over the last four years, I&#8217;ve worked with hundreds of people to help them reclaim sovereignty, rediscover agency, and step into Self-Leadership.</p><p>My work has always been underpinned by a blend of embodied awareness, cognitive tools, reflective practice, and nervous system literacy. But increasingly, the people I see in practice already know the science.</p><p>They&#8217;ve studied the frameworks.<br>They&#8217;ve tried the tools.<br>And yet they still feel stuck.</p><p>As I picked up my pen to reflect on the future of <em>Through Pause</em>, a question surfaced: if knowledge isn&#8217;t the missing piece for change seekers and self-developers&#8230; what is?</p><p>After attending three events celebrating women for International Women&#8217;s Day this year, the answer became clearer.</p><p>One created space for conversation and collective discussion.<br>Another shared facts about the injustices faced by women, alongside a one-way conversation about what we <em>should</em> be doing for self-care.<br>The third was radical and deeply inspiring.</p><p>The experience reminded me of something important.</p><p>In our age of digital information &#8211; where ALL the answers are available at just the click of a button (or you can always ask Siri) &#8211; I&#8217;d take a punt that 99.9% of those reading this article don&#8217;t need more information.</p><p>You need inspiration.</p><p>You need experiences that spark something inside you &#8211; that bit of magic that unlocks action.</p><p>In the words to follow, through storytelling and metaphor, you see yourself mirrored.</p><p>That reflection creates clarity.<br>Clarity creates meaning.<br>Meaning unlocks change.<br><br>And so, Through Pause has found a new home here on Substack.</p><p>Partly because it allows me to send these reflections straight to your inbox each week. But also because it gives my work room to breathe.</p><p>Not just words on a screen, but space for voice notes, conversations, video, and guided practices &#8211; the kinds of experiences that invite you to pause, reflect, and explore your own inner landscape.</p><p>Here in Through Pause, you&#8217;ll find words, experiences, and reflections that centre on the <strong>liminal</strong> &#8211; the threshold space where you step out of habitual reactions and into more conscious responses to life.</p><p>Through Pause is the space where Self-Leadership and I&#8217;m so grateful to have you here, on this journey with me.<br><br>Until the next time,<br><em>Bronwyn </em>&#127803;<br><br>P.S. if you find value in my reflections or think someone would benefit from a little <em>pause</em>, please invite them to join us on this journey.<br></p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.blog.bronwynbenstead.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading <em>Through Pause</em> penned by Bronwyn Benstead! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>