A Place to Breathe: How Debra Found Calm, Connection, and Community on GetSetUp
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When the pandemic hit, Debra, a retired civil engineer who lived in an adult living community in Alabama, found herself more isolated than ever.
“We couldn’t even speak to anyone in the hall,” she recalled. “Everywhere was shut down. I was already retired, and now I felt truly alone.”
That’s when someone told her about GetSetUp.
“I started to look at it to see what to take. One class caught my attention: Coffee Chat and Connection. Number one, I like coffee. But the idea of chat and connection when I was so isolated sounded so good. I started going and liked it immediately.”
That class, led by Guide Natalie, opened the door to more. Debra began attending two of Natalie’s other classes, including “10 Seconds of Calm,” a program that has since become a regular ritual.
“I’ve been taking ‘10 Seconds of Calm’ since 2021, and I really like it. It’s about breathing - slowing down - and trying to just pause. Between the pandemic and everything else, learning to breathe slowly was really helpful.”
A Community That Heals Together
What began as a calming practice quickly became something much deeper: a real community of learners who support and uplift each other.
“The class is a mix of people; some have been coming for five years, others are newer. We talk about what’s going on in our lives. The sharing is as powerful as the breathing.”
One moment in class especially stayed with Debra and became a touchstone for the group’s strength and connection:
“There’s a lady we’ll call R. A couple of years ago, her family threw a big 65th anniversary party. Everything went well. The next day, she was speaking to a friend, and twenty minutes later, she stopped responding. She’d had a stroke. But she had started the breathing class on GetSetUp, and she credited those 10 seconds of calm for helping her through the phases of her recovery. At the hospital to support her recovery, she had to be conscious, breathing deliberately, and giving feedback as doctors worked on her brain. That’s as good a testimonial for this class as any.”
Inspired by that story, Debra and others in the group embraced the mindset:
“If she could do her ten seconds, we can too.”
Showing Up, Even in Pain
Despite chronic pain and several surgeries, Debra keeps showing up, not just for herself, but for the community she’s found.
“I’ve improved my well-being thanks to these classes. My body is in a lot of pain, but my well-being - in terms of knowing people, pausing, and slowing down - has gotten better.”
She’s seen people show up to virtual sessions from hospital beds, stretch out on sofas, and navigate technical challenges just to be present.
“One day, I saw another woman in a hospital room on Zoom. She was there, logged in, participating. She’s 83. That tells you the effort people go to just to be in this class.”
Considering her own pain, Debra often navigates sessions and breathes from her couch.
“I start at my laptop and watch who’s in the Zoom room. Then, I’ll stretch out on the sofa for the breathing part and come back later to rejoin. It’s flexible, but still meaningful.”
Community That Crosses Generations
One of the class members, Debra mentioned by name, is George, who, at 92, attends faithfully.
“George is located in rural Montana, and started taking watercolor classes. And what’s sweet is that his sister, who was doing oil painting, has joined him. Now both of them are doing watercolors on GetSetUp. That's the connection.”
These small moments of bonding reflect the deeper impact GetSetUp has made in Debra’s life and in the lives of others.
“This class is wonderful. The experience from the brain and the ripple effect of what it teaches… It’s real.”
Staying Curious and Connected
Although her pain can sometimes keep her from attending more active classes, Debra still watches recordings, reads shared notes, and participates however she can.
“I’ve watched some of Bernadette’s stress release classes. Even when I couldn’t attend, I got the notes to review. She recently had a class on dealing with midlife that I really wanted to attend, but printed the notes since I couldn’t.”
She’s also benefited from GetSetUp’s approach to access and affordability.
“I was able to pay monthly for a while when I didn’t have a partner who paid on my behalf. Now, through a health partnership, I’m not paying out of pocket anymore, and I’m grateful for what I’ve been able to take part in.”
More Than Classes
For Debra, GetSetUp is not just a wellness platform; it’s a gathering place, her emotional reset, and her community.
“It’s not just breathing, it’s belonging. I may not sit in front of my laptop all day, but I come for this.”
At nearly 69, she’s grateful for a virtual space that respects her pace, values her voice, and makes her feel seen. GetSetUp has become a sanctuary for people like Debra.
“GetSetUp has made a difference. And when you hear how it’s helped others, too. It makes you keep showing up.”
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