About us

Here is your full write-up polished into a seamless, deeply authentic invitation. The transition from your personal story to the event call-to-action is smoothed out, creating an immediate sense of warmth and vulnerabilHello beautiful friends. I hope you are having a wonderful day. My name is Tara, and I moved to Ericeira about four years ago from the U.S. During my time here, I’ve been lucky to form so many effortless, meaningful connections—whether it was my own mindset shift, the openness of the people around me, or just the magic of Ericeira itself.

A couple of years ago, I returned to the U.S. for six months. In the rush of American life, that openness was suddenly hard to find, and the underlying loneliness felt palpable. To recreate the depth I missed in Portugal, I started a Fuck the Small Talk group. As someone who personally loathes superficial banter and leans toward oversharing, I wanted a place where we could drop the front. The group blew up. People from all walks of life came together simply to pursue a little peace and real connection, and lasting friendships were forged.

I’ll never forget one gathering where I asked everyone what song represented their life in that moment. A tough-looking man in his mid-60s—someone I likely would have assumed I had nothing in common with politically or socially—immediately answered with "I'm Not OK" by Jelly Roll, a raw song about deep depression. In an instant, any assumptions dissolved. I saw his heart and his mutual humanity. That is the magic of this space: realizing that despite our surface differences, we are all walking through real things. Sometimes, being honest about how we are doing is actually easier with strangers than with friends.

When I left Charleston, I handed the group off to a friend. Now, I’m bringing that exact space home to Ericeira. If we’re being honest, modern life can feel heavy right now. Between the constant noise of political news, heavy environmental updates, and the quiet anxiety of just living through it all, it’s easy to feel drained. We spend hours scrolling on social media, yet end up feeling more disconnected and lonely than before. Most of our daily interactions stay right on the surface: "How are you?" "Good, busy, living the dream." But behind those quick updates, many of us are carrying real weight. This group exists to step away from the noise, drop the small talk, and pull down the veil. You don't need to share your deepest secrets or give a full life history. It’s simply a space to be honest about where you are right now and what it feels like to walk in your shoes this week.

There is a rare kind of relief that only comes from sharing what’s real. We gather to listen, reflect, and hold space for one another—without judgment, unsolicited advice, or performance. Just real people showing up authentically, offering each other genuine presence.

Come as you are. No polish required.

### Ground Rules: How We Hold Space

To ensure this remains a safe, balanced, and welcoming environment for everyone, we honor a few core agreements:

Share the Mic: We are all here to speak and to listen. Please be conscious of the airtime you take so that everyone has room to share. If you naturally speak first and often, practice stepping back; if you tend to stay quiet, know that your voice is truly valued here.
No Unsolicited Advice or Fixing: We are here to witness and hold space, not to solve each other's problems. Please refrain from giving advice unless someone explicitly asks for it. Validate, listen, and let people own their stories.
Speak from the "I": Share your own lived experience, feelings, and perspective rather than speaking in generalities or telling others how they should feel.
Respect Confidentiality: What is shared in the circle stays in the circle. Deep trust is built when we know our stories are completely safe.
Listen with Kindness: Show love through your attention. Put phones away, bring your full presence, and listen to understand rather than just waiting for your turn to speak.