profile

Dr Zac Elizabeth Buchanan

A question for your weekend (and a tiny act of reclamation)

Published about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader,

My heart is feeling incredibly full today.

Last night, we gathered for the very first evening of The Return 4-week immersion series. Sitting in a room with a group of women, hearing their stories, their challenges, and their wishes, was a profound reminder of a simple truth: the quest to find your authentic voice and reclaim what is true to you is a journey so many of us are walking.

To witness the immediate warmth, encouragement, and love that filled the room was beautiful. It reminded me deeply of how much we need these dedicated spaces for women to support one another as we tread this path together. My passion for this work has only deepened after last night, and I am so excited to see how the next month unfolds for this group.

One of the themes we explored last night was the importance of re-attuning to our physical bodies—learning how to actually listen to its signals and requests again.

After a lifetime of pushing through, overriding our exhaustion, and ignoring our own bodies to tend to everyone else, turning inward is a radical step in self-reclamation.

And it doesn't require a massive lifestyle overhaul. It can begin with a single, simple question:

“What do I need right now?” or “What is one tiny thing I can do to make myself just a little bit more comfortable?”

So, as you head into this weekend, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself that question. Make that cup of tea. Adjust the pillow behind your back. Roll your shoulders away from your ears. Take your time in the bathroom instead of rushing back to what's waiting.

Don't hurry through these micro-moments. They are the small yet powerful actions that help you honour you again.

​
Looking Ahead: An Invitation for July

If you missed out on joining this 4-week immersion and feel drawn to exploring these themes in person, I would love to invite you to a special upcoming offering.

I am partnering with Pilates and Yoga instructor, Carolina Moya, to bring you an immersive 3-hour workshop on Sunday, 26th July.

Together, we will blend clinical insight with somatic practice, focusing specifically on understanding your unique stress response and learning how to adapt more meaningfully and effectively to life's demands. It is designed to be another soft place to land—giving you the tools to listen to your body and reclaim your peace.

The Details: Honouring Your Needs in Times of Stress

  • Date: Sunday, 26th July, 10am-1pm
  • Hosted by: Dr Zac Elizabeth Buchanan & Carolina Moya​
  • Cost: EARLY BIRD $120pp (ends 30 June)

With love and warmth,

Zac ♥

Dr Zac Elizabeth Buchanan | Clinical Psychologist​
The Return
​drzacelizabeth.com @dr.zacelizabeth​

1/66 Whitehorse Road, Deepdene, VIC 3103
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

Dr Zac Elizabeth Buchanan

Welcome to The Return - a place to learn deep rest, unravel old patterns, trust your intuition, and connect authentically with a community of women also treading the path home to themselves. Sign up to hear about upcoming offerings, including women's circles, workshop series and retreats.

Read more from Dr Zac Elizabeth Buchanan

Dear Reader, It has been two weeks since I last landed in your inbox. I’ve been away for one of those weeks, and my focus shifted entirely to my kids while they were on school holidays. If you've ever navigated the holiday shift, you know it isn't necessarily an easier time. For me, it required adapting to a completely different rhythm of life, accepting what cannot be controlled, and constantly reminding myself to be gentle with myself as stress levels—and sibling rivalry—inevitably...

4 days ago • 2 min read
Honouring Your Needs in Times of Stress

Dear Reader, This week, I've found myself navigating a bumpy personal landscape. And it got me reflecting on the delicate, ongoing dance of carrying the weight of the world while still allowing ourselves to live fully within it. How do we notice the pain, suffering, and unfairness in the world without letting it completely dampen or strip away our permission to experience the joyful, frivolous, beautiful parts of life? And on the flip side, how do we avoid shutting that pain out so much that...

25 days ago • 1 min read

Dear Reader, Last night, as we sat in circle for the third week of our current workshop series, the space felt raw and tender. There was a collective awakening as the group shared that they were beginning to truly notice and name the different parts of themselves. But sitting right alongside that awareness was a heavy exhaustion. We talked about how we are still stretching ourselves thin, and how hard it can feel to actually say "no" in the moments that matter most—blocked by a myriad of old...

about 1 month ago • 2 min read