Last week I vulnerably shared my fear of celebration and the internal struggle that comes with the territory. So it’s only fitting that this week I step into that fear and share what I’m currently celebrating with you all.
This summer I stepped into a space of growth and transition in my blog and creative journey. I reached beyond picking up my camera and instead led 11 women (+ me) on a journey of self-discovery, heart opening, and creative exploration.
Empowering women to reach for greater meaning and purpose in their life is something I’ve come to love through the camera, but I knew there was more I was meant to explore.
Over the past 5 years I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible teachers and mentors and friends traveling to Florida, Canada, and Costa Rica, and California to learn more about myself. I dreamed of creating a similar experience of my own one day but never felt ‘good enough’ to coach or mentor beyond the viewfinder of a camera.
Last year the whisper to lead a retreat of my own became more like a roar and I couldn’t deny the desire any longer.
So I stepped into that space of dreams becoming reality, where fear and freshness meet, and allowed the Resonate Retreat to come to life.
Our house, which I found on a whim back in March, was called ‘THE RETREAT’ and I knew serendipity was at work. I wrote a few blog posts sharing my dream of hosting a retreat, sent a few emails, and the experience was filled to capacity within 2 weeks of its birth.
It’s hard to put into words just how magical the months of individual coaching leading up to our intimate weekend culmination felt. I have so much love and respect for the women who entrusted my support and guidance.
We worked through Fear, Dreams, and Commitment. And, we opened ourselves up to vulnerability allowing the experience of feeling truly seen. We were well loved, well cared for, and well fed (almost too well thanks to my cousin Monika of Chestnut Street Inn who was our in house chef for the weekend…)
Instead of trying to put into word what this weekend meant to me, I’m simply going to fill your soul with a bit of visual inspiration and share a glimpse of the experience through pictures. It was a magical weekend where 12 women committed the space to explore, craft, and cultivate new ways of being in the world. Opening their heart to walking a more creative and fulfilled life for themselves in service to the people they love the most at home.
Starting October 14th I’m going to be leading a small, virtual mentoring group with similar themes to this retreat. We’ll be exploring a process of stepping into greater passion and purpose in your life which could come through bringing more creativity to your days, growing a business, or simply living in a more intentional way. We’ll spend 6 weeks talking about Freshness, Dreams, Commitment, Fear, Intuition, & Celebration. Want to know more? Drop me a note HERE. I’d love to connect and see if this experience is the right one for you.
P.S. The next Resonate Retreat will be Summer 2016. Want more info about that too? Drop me a note about that too and I’ll get you details.
Thank You’s:
There are so many lovely small businesses that supported this journey and I want to be sure to list them and thank them all here. If you feel called to any I hope you’ll go give them a visit
Lodging: The Retreat At Cool Spring // Food: Chef Monika, Chestnut Street Inn // Photography: Alicia Bruce, Love Knot Photo // Swag Bags: Seeker of Happiness // Healing Stone Necklace: MDC Artistic Designs // Mugs: Julia E Dean // Art Class: Jill Perla Art // Sweet Treats: Pink Polka Dot Bake Shop