Cautèle
Awareness through movementembodied awareness
& creative growth
01
“Perceiving before acting” — 12/25
Welcome to the first episode of Cautèle, a podcast exploring the relationship between creativity and mental health, and how small, artful shifts can open new possibilities.
I’m Côme, your host—artistic researcher, systemic coach, and founder of Cautèle. Over the last ten years, I’ve worked at the intersections of art, creativity, health, and life’s bigger questions. Now, I want to share insights from my research and practice with you.
Even for French speakers, “Cautèle” may sound unfamiliar. It comes from an old French word meaning caution, prudence, and care. For me, it’s more than a word—it’s an attitude: perceiving before acting, listening before speaking, and creating space for something new to emerge.
Today’s focus: perceiving before acting. When we slow down just enough to notice what’s happening—tension in our body, emotions bubbling up, or assumptions guiding our thoughts—we step out of automatic pilot. We create room: room for choice, nuance, and a different way of responding.
A friend of mine, an actress, recently told me she felt unusually stressed before performing and disconnected from her emotions on stage. I suggested a grounding practice I often use: square breathing.
I’m Côme, your host—artistic researcher, systemic coach, and founder of Cautèle. Over the last ten years, I’ve worked at the intersections of art, creativity, health, and life’s bigger questions. Now, I want to share insights from my research and practice with you.
Even for French speakers, “Cautèle” may sound unfamiliar. It comes from an old French word meaning caution, prudence, and care. For me, it’s more than a word—it’s an attitude: perceiving before acting, listening before speaking, and creating space for something new to emerge.
Today’s focus: perceiving before acting. When we slow down just enough to notice what’s happening—tension in our body, emotions bubbling up, or assumptions guiding our thoughts—we step out of automatic pilot. We create room: room for choice, nuance, and a different way of responding.
A friend of mine, an actress, recently told me she felt unusually stressed before performing and disconnected from her emotions on stage. I suggested a grounding practice I often use: square breathing.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Sit or lie comfortably. Make your space cozy and safe.
2. Breathe naturally for a few cycles.
3. Then:
• Inhale for four counts
• Hold for four counts
• Exhale for four counts
• Hold for four counts
4. Repeat three to five times.
Now, breathe normally and simply notice: What does your body feel? How do your thoughts shift? Are you calmer or more alert? This is Cautèle in practice—careful attention as the first step toward creative change.
Use this pause before your next challenge. Share your experience with me on Instagram @cautele_.
Next time, I’ll share findings from my PhD research on creativity and mental health, and a practical way to integrate them into everyday life. See you then!
1. Sit or lie comfortably. Make your space cozy and safe.
2. Breathe naturally for a few cycles.
3. Then:
• Inhale for four counts
• Hold for four counts
• Exhale for four counts
• Hold for four counts
4. Repeat three to five times.
Now, breathe normally and simply notice: What does your body feel? How do your thoughts shift? Are you calmer or more alert? This is Cautèle in practice—careful attention as the first step toward creative change.
Use this pause before your next challenge. Share your experience with me on Instagram @cautele_.
Next time, I’ll share findings from my PhD research on creativity and mental health, and a practical way to integrate them into everyday life. See you then!