Today on the blog we have life coach and mentor Sadie Tichelaar who runs a brilliant free co-regulation techniques event each month for our Portal community in Circle. But what is co-regulation? Why do we need it when life is lifeing and world events are world-eventing?
Sadie: “Co-regulation is the way our nervous systems respond to and sync with each other in safe, supportive environments. It’s the foundation of feeling calmer, more grounded, and better able to handle life’s ups and downs.
Many of us, especially neurodivergent folk, need intentional co-regulation techniques because we’ve had fewer opportunities to experience that safe nervous system-to-nervous system connection - especially as our true, unmasked self.
Self-regulation is much harder when your nervous system is already in overdrive. As humans, we are wired for connection, so learning co-regulation techniques in community lets you borrow someone else’s calm when yours feels out of reach.
Being with others, doing similar things in community is often easier than motivating ourselves to take action solo.
Having quiet company and gentle accountability to do the things we resist or put off can often support us to prioritise spending time on ourselves and see the benefits.
Community is where we feel seen, supported, and celebrated for who we are. It’s a place where we remember we’re not alone in the mess or the magic and that the former is easy to navigate with others, and the former is maximised when shared.
I chose to be a part of The Portal because it is my favourite kind of online space, especially since leaving mainstream social media. It’s warm, real, and built for connection instead of algorithms.
It's where co-regulation techniques actually come alive, because we’re practising them together in a community that feels safe, supportive, and genuinely human.
- What does “safety” feel like for your nervous system? What promotes those feelings? Who supports you to access that feeling of groundedness?
- Spend as much time as possible with people and groups where you can simply be without performance or pressure
- Be intentional about prioritising time and space for the things that support you to feel creative, restful, joyful and connected - being is just as important as doing (maybe more so!)
“Sadie's sessions are the perfect space to come and be at ease in a shared space of trust and warmth. This time for yourself, guided and hosted by Sadie is the kind of opportunity that it's so often tough to carve out in the day-to-day and yet is so beneficial and has such positive impact on your wellbeing.”
Sadie was struggling to make time for things she knew supported her to feel regulated and calm. She could see they always got pushed aside. Feels familiar, right?
She could see that a concept known as ‘body doubling’, where being in company helps you get things done. So then she wondered, why not apply the same principles to being? From there, she created a regular, zero-pressure space where people could show up exactly as they are, get a little nervous system nourishment, and practice co-regulation techniques without feeling they had to “earn” rest or connection.
“I thought it was beautiful. It's exactly what I need from that kind of space.”“If you're keen to create a space for yourself - a space of peace and calm, where you can relax into yourself and meet yourself where you are today and where you may be in the future - this is exactly the space to be in.“
Every month Sadie hosts a free monthly co-regulation sessions where you can rest, connect and come home to yourself, together. These 60-minute online sessions offer a gentle, structured space to rest in community.
Think co-working, but for nervous system nourishment. Instead of bringing your to-do list, you bring a restful activity - something intentional, soothing or supportive. Being, not doing.
The sessions run on the second Thursday of each month, online for about an hour. You can book your free place The Portal events and join us for some collective quiet time and community.
I’m an AuDHD (autism + ADHD) coach and mentor for late-diagnosed neurodivergent women in midlife (like me!), with over 20 years in project management and leadership. My work blends self-connection, cyclical living, shadow work, and now co-regulation practices to help people thrive without hustle culture burnout.
We’re growing a different kind of learning space - one where wisdom flows freely, creators support each other’s growth, and everyone’s voice can be heard. The Portal Collective brings sophisticated tools and genuine connection together in a natural ecosystem, far from the noise and pressure of traditional platforms.
Join us in building something different - a space where learning happens through real engagement, community grows organically, and success isn’t measured in follower counts.
You can find out more here. 
