When was the last time you took yourself on a retreat?
(Not for work, not to take care of someone else—but just for you?)
For me, it had been almost a year. Last summer, I soaked up wisdom at a writing retreat lead by the poet who went viral during Covid.
But since then, life has been full:
- I’ve been working on my next book about adoption reunions,
- Navigating personal transitions (my long-distance boyfriend finally moved to Asheville — squeeee!)
- And, oh yes, managing the aftermath of the hurricane that devastated our region and forced me to cancel my own women’s retreat last October.
Needless to say, I was overdue for a reset.
So, when the opportunity came to spend a day on a retreat with my friend and fellow retreat leader, Renee Trudeau, I said a full-bodied yes!
Quick Divine Timing Story
When I lived in Houston (2012–2020), I became aware of Renee’s work because she lived nearby in Austin. I tried to attend her events, but the timing never aligned. Fast forward to moving back to Asheville in 2022, I noticed Renee was now living in nearby Brevard, NC—and even writing a monthly column for The Laurel, our local arts magazine. I meant to reach out, but life got busy.
Then in a magical twist, this past January while leading a New Year’s Rituals mini-retreat at Kanuga Conference Center, guess who was in my audience? Renee herself! I recognized her instantly and introduced myself. We hit it off right away, and she said, “Come hiking with me in the forest!” The rest, as they say, is history.
As someone who has led retreats professionally for more than two decades, I LOVE being led by another facilitator. It takes real skill to create a sacred container where people feel safe, seen, nourished, and inspired—and attending a retreat with an international retreat leader rockstar like Renee was an absolute gift.
I went with a few girlfriends but also made a ton of new connections. The day was full of music, dance, journaling, and deep conversation. Creativity and play were woven through everything. I had beautiful exchanges with others, but also precious time with my own thoughts, feelings, and inspirations.
If you’re craving a reset yourself, grab your journal and see what bubbles up as you reflect on these powerful questions we explored during the retreat. (Some of these questions were Renee’s prompts and others were my own reflections.)
10 Reflection Questions from Renee Trudeau’s Retreat
- Can I delight in the not knowing?
- What is most important to me at this life stage?
- If I were open to receive abundant blessings, what would that look like?
- What might happen if I made regular dates with my Wise Self?
- Is my current pace sustainable?
- How can I be more creative in my work?
- If creativity were my lover, how would I describe our relationship?
- How can I sit with the holy—and the wholly—within me?
- What’s the scariest thing I’ve ever done?
- What’s possible here and now?
Near the end of the retreat, Renee shared a quote from one of her favorite poetry teachers, Mary Reynolds Thompson, that landed deeply in my heart:
“Avoiding risk, you bypass magic.”
And wow, isn’t that the truth?
Stepping away from everyday life to retreat—even just for a day—reminded me of the profound magic that comes when we say “yes” to ourselves.
Your Invitation
Maybe it’s time for you to create your own sacred pause.
Maybe it’s time to reset, renew, and refresh your beautiful soul.
The magic is waiting for you. All you have to do is say yes.