Circle of Trust
Reflecting on the impact of community and a Substack sisterhood
Dear Friend
How are you today?
Happy first of the month.
Please remind me is it the month of January or May?! I promised I wouldn’t comment about the ‘W’ word this week, but blimey it’s been a stormy one here in Wales.
What I do want to comment on and write about today is the warmth and magic of community - that beautiful feeling of connections woven together by shared interested, passions and experiences. Whether it’s through a group of local dog walkers, a book club nestled in the heart of your neighbourhood, or a vibrant community of writer friends here on Substack, in all honestly, the community I feel recently holds no bounds.
I’ve been humbled by the endless support I’ve received from my Ease community, a gathering of souls brought together by a shared love for creativity, storytelling, journaling and connection, whether that's through my IRL writing retreats or my therapeutic journaling workshops. As some of you will know, I collaborate with a variety of best selling authors and expert creatives and recently I had the privilege of collaborating with
, which has opened doors to friendships and story telling that spans continents. From America to Canada and beyond, the reach of our woven communities has a really local global vibe.Just yesterday, I found myself immersed in the joy of connection, spending a couple of hours helping a guest navigate her travel plans from Montreal to Wales via London. What began as a simple exchange, blossomed into a wonderful conversation, bridging the gap across oceans and times zones, all fuelled by our shared love for writing and creativity but also in a future meet up, face to face, in real life with likeminded women.
It’s in moments like these, that I’m reminded of the remarkable power of community - an opportunity where hearts are open, stories are shared and dreams are nurtured. It’s within these spaces that I find inspiration and a sense of belonging that breaks through any barriers and crosses geographical boundaries. The women I connect with through the work that I do, is so enriching and so nourishing for my soul.
Being part of a community and sisterhood where it’s safe to share stories, desires, frustrations, worries and vulnerabilities isn’t just a luxury - it’s key to a happy and fulfilled life. I’ll be forever grateful to the sisterhood I have here on Substack and I’d like to shout out a few names who really have been so caring and supportive of my work over the past few months. I adore sharing my news, my journey and my adventures with every single one of them, you may have met one or two of them at one of my retreats or via Substack. This is what I call a sisterhood!!
just to name a few. And of course I can’t not mention a couple of the gentlemen that always cheerlead me on…Here’s to the magic of community - may it continue to light our path and fill our hearts with joy, laughter, gratitude and endless possibilities.
Last but not least, here are a few therapeutic journaling prompts I’ve curated around the topic of community, please help yourself and keep on journaling.
Until the time
Take care and stay safe xx
1. Reflect on a time when you felt deeply supported and uplifted by your community or sisterhood. What emotions arise as you recall this experience?
2. Describe the qualities or characteristics of your ideal community or sisterhood. What values do you believe are essential for fostering a sense of connection and belonging?
3. Explore the concept of “holding space” for your sisterhood, creating a safe and supportive environment for women to share their stories, dreams and struggles. How do you actively cultivate this pace in your community?
4. Write a bout a time when you witnessed acts of kindness within your community. How did these gestures of support impact you?
5. Consider the ripple effect of a sisterhood, how small acts of connection and support can create profound shifts in individuals and the collective as a whole.
What’s On 'with ease'
Creative Unblocking Weekend Retreat with ease & Emma Gannon - only 1 bedroom left available. 16th-18th November 2024
Rage on a Page - next series now open for bookings, I’m looking to work with 4 women and there are 2 spaces left available. June 2024
Doing Hard Things with ease & Stacey Heale - only 2 spaces available. There is a bursary place being awarded to one lucky guest, application available upon request.
About me… I’m Tanya Lynch, a mother, a ridgeback owner and the founder of Ease Retreats. I love what I do, collaborating with authors and creatives, hosting retreats in beautiful venues across the UK. I’m also a therapeutic journaling coach and through my program Rage on a Page, I help midlife women channel their emotions into something more positive and creative in less than 60 days. Each Thursday I host an online journaling club called Journal with Ease and it’s free for paid subscribers to attend. If you have any questions about the benefits of therapeutic journaling, please reach out and connect. I’m usually on a beach walking the dogs, hosting retreats or hanging out here on Substack.
Thank you
you’re so thoughtful and talented !
An ENORMOUS thank you for the mention, Tanya - and what an amazing community Substack is. So supportive and genuine cheerleaders - the best
I feel the same about you Tanya! Can’t wait to see you on Monday 🥰