Blueprint Your Season

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Dear friend

How are you feeling today? I hope you’re well and you’re enjoying a peaceful weekend so far. I thought I’d share something a little different this Sunday, rather than an essay, it’s a Q&A with the ever so lovely

Tommy Ludgate

- a talented creative whom I’m collaborating with this September for a day retreat called Blueprint Your Season.

It’s one I’m thrilled to be hosting, and again wish I could be one of the guests.

If you’re curious about what the day involves, please read on, this might whet your appetite to springboard your creativity during the autumn months.

Tommy, we first met when you were a guest at one of my retreats, and now you're co-hosting "Blueprint Your Season" with me. What was it about that first retreat experience that made you want to collaborate on creating something together?

Your retreats just have all the feels! From the goody bags on arrival, to the gorgeous and comfortable open space, and how the day feels like such a special treat with the delicious food and beautiful surroundings. I was excited at the thought of bringing my retreat day to this setting with you hosting so brilliantly.

As a transformational coach, you work with people on finding and using their authentic voice. How do you see the connection between having a clear inner voice and creating a blueprint for your life?

You are unlikely to action any plans if they are based on other people’s opinions and beliefs. So often, I think we are driven to do what we think is best for us but it’s so influenced by those around us. Not to say those people don’t want the best for us. But if we drive forward from a place of listening to what we feel really excited, inspired about, passionate about, we are so much more likely to create change for ourselves and make shit happen! Blueprint Your Season will get you to listen in to what is really true for you, and support you in beaming it out onto the page so you can walk away with a robust plan for yourself.

What does "Blueprint Your Season" mean to you personally? How do you think this concept will resonate with our retreat guests?

I am a walking example of someone who lives using the Blueprint Your Season concept. That is to move with the seasons, being mindful of my choices, and using creativity and nature to power my thinking and decision making.

Examples of this in practice for me include: making a vision board at the start of each season so I am really clear on what I am working towards, journaling daily to stay connected with my inner voice, walking in nature simply for the thinking space, and being creative as a non-negotiable. When I show up on my journal pages, I often unpack my noisy thoughts but I also access ideas for songs and poems.

I think my approach will resonate with retreat guests because the day is one big permission slip. To bask in the glory of a day putting yourself first, perhaps working on your business rather than being only in it, and proof that if you prioritise your creativity and take time away from your desk/routine, you will access clarity and confidence. I am excited to see the range of takeaways from this day and how inspired people will feel to dive back into their life for the Autumn season.

We're combining your coaching expertise with my retreat hosting experience. What unique elements are you bringing to this day that guests might not find elsewhere?

I have an unusual mix of experience. I started my career as part of a girl band at the age of 10! I performed on TV (remember Live + Kicking and The Big Breakfast?!), we toured, and I recorded in the studio with renowned producer Steve Mac. I studied a vocal performance degree and went on to teach at the university for ten years. I recorded and released my debut album fresh out of university and achieved an iTunes Blues Chart Top 10. I qualified as a personal and business coach during my first pregnancy.

I have always worked for myself. I have been at the wheel of my life from the start, driving the ship. I have followed my intuition. I have been committed to myself. I have built confidence by showing up for myself time and again. I have spent hours supporting people in finding their voice and sharing it.

So I suppose Blueprint Your Season is a culmination of my many years of experience. Everything I know pulled together in one creative, self-led, impactful day.

For someone who feels stuck or unclear about their direction, how can working with their blueprint help them create actionable steps for their life?

There is so much noise. From our own inner thoughts, but also from being on social media, and opinions of people we are surrounded by. It gets us stuck and exacerbates the chaos in our minds.

There is no doubt from me that this day will give you the clarity you are looking for. Through a process of writing, creative tools, being in nature, and the simple act of taking time, you will begin to hear the thoughts that feel good and important to you. You will lock into your gut instinct. It is my job to support you in creating steps that feel realistic and actionable so you walk away with a blueprint that is only going to get you closer to what you want next in your life and work.

Please tell us about a season in your own life when you had to completely reimagine your blueprint. What did that process look like for you?

It is a really nice experience to reflect back on this actually, as it shows me how far I have come. I worked with my first coach following studying for a PG Cert in Teaching and Learning. I learnt a little about coaching and was really excited about it. I read Brene Brown's Daring Greatly on holiday in Mallorca and felt really inspired to pursue a coaching qualification. I wanted to be able to share in supporting people through challenges and change. It took some time to save to do my qualification, which also involved applying for some funding through my vocal coaching job. I signed myself up and fell pregnant with my first son.

I was intentionally reimagining my blueprint but it took some commitment. Pregnancy sickness through every in-person coaching training, then having to put it all on hold whilst I was in the early days with a newborn, and then launching a brand new business when my son was 4 months old!

It is typical of me to become extremely creative and ideas-filled during the newborn days. I know this now as I had the same with my second son and I produced my first ever podcast!

This season of life saw me shape shift from professional singer and vocal coach working full days and evenings, to new business owner building a coaching practice around my life as a new mother.

What's one limiting belief you've had to work through about your own direction, and how might that experience help others at the retreat?

I have limiting beliefs all the time! It’s part of being human. I notice they pop up most when I’m on the edge of a shift.

I think it is all about the noticing. Being able to identify that it’s your negative bias or inner critic voice, and not the truth. We will pay attention to this on the retreat day and ensure we are able to move beyond this.

We don’t want those pesky limiting beliefs getting in the way of forward movement.

For someone who's never been to a retreat before, what would you want them to know about what we're creating together in September?

You don’t need to do any preparation. You don’t need to know the answers. Committing to this retreat day is an act of honouring yourself and surrendering to what is to come by being with us for the day.

I invite you to put your trust in us to give you a really nourishing, special, and inspiring experience.

How do you create a safe space for people to explore their voice and vision, especially if they're feeling vulnerable about making changes?

There is a vulnerability to taking part in a retreat like this. It is our job to create the environment for that to feel safe and supported. There will be no forced introductions to the group, or big expectations on you.

This retreat is all about you leading the way, processing at your pace, and coming away with a blueprint that plays to your strengths.

What kind of transformation are you hoping to witness in our guests by the end of our day retreat?

If there is that air of uncertainty and apprehension, I hope to witness people sharing from their heart and leaving full of bright, inspired energy.

If someone left our retreat with just one key insight or tool, what would you most want that to be?

That you know the answers. You know what is best for you. At your heart, you have everything you need to drive forward whatever you want in your life and work.

If you’d like to join us on Friday 26th September for a day of pure creativity, upbeat conversation and nutritious feasting, then please don’t hesitate to email me at hello@easeretreats.com

Until the next time

Take care and stay safe xx

If you’d like more information about the retreats and workshops I’m hosting this year and in 2026, or you’d like to join the waiting list, please don’t hesitate to email me at hello@easeretreats.com

Every Thursday at 1pm via Zoom - “Journal with Ease Club” with Tanya Lynch

2nd July 2025 - “Rage on a Page” Online Journalling Series with Tanya Lynch

25th July 2025 - “Drive Through Journalling by the Sea” with Tanya Lynch

26th September 2025 - “Blueprint Your Season” Day Retreat with Tommy Ludgate

2nd - 5th October 2025 - “Rest + Read” Weekend Retreat with Lucy Pearson

17th - 20th October 2025 - “Digital Detox” Weekend Retreat with Tanya Lynch

April 2026 - "Substack with Ease" Day Retreat with Claire Venus

May 2026 - “Creative Unblocking” Weekend Retreat with Emma Gannon

12th June 2026 - “Finding Your Voice” Day Retreat with Laura Pashby

PS. Bring your unfinished stories.

Bring your wild dreams.

Bring yourself.

Because here ‘with ease’, you are always welcome.