Kindred Spirits Unite
A magical writing retreat with debut memoirist Stacey Heale
If you enjoy ‘with ease’ and would like to support my work, be offered first refusal to book onto my writing & wellbeing retreats with best selling authors, receive discounts towards my therapeutic journaling workshops, please buy me the equivalent of one cup of coffee, by becoming a paid subscriber. Thank you so much.
Dear Friend
How are you today? I hope you’ve enjoyed a wonderful weekend and it’s been filled with glorious sunshine. Hello to my new subscribers, I’m always humbled by the fact there are people out there that are interested in the work that I do and the stories I share. Hopefully, we will get to know one another over the next few days, weeks and months. When I’m not hosting retreats or travelling from coast to coast, I enjoy writing, mostly rambling here on Substack as often as I can. I find writing and journaling a really cathartic experience, and more than anything I thoroughly enjoy engaging with you, because if I’m brutally honest, being a solo-preneur can be quite a lonely existence.
Now the weekend has passed and I’ve taken a couple of days to rest, I’m hoping I’ll be able to take this week to process the past 6 weeks. Since mid April I’ve been on the road hosting retreats, delivering therapeutic journaling workshops and visiting potential new retreat venues miles across the ocean. It’s been a thrilling and equally exhausting few weeks, but I feel invigorated and blessed by saying YES to new opportunities.
It might take me a couple of weeks to write about my recent adventures, as I’d really love to share my stories with you. I think you’d enjoy reading about the behind the scenes ‘with ease’.
Starting with my most recent retreat… last Thursday was a truly enchanting day, as I had the pleasure of co-hosting a writing day retreat with the brilliant debut memoirist Stacey Heale. Stacey’s first book “This Is Not The Time For Flowers” launched only a couple of months ago and has already become an epic must-read memoir.
Though Stacey and I have been talking, sending WhatsApp messages and voice notes for a couple of years, this was our first time meeting in real life - and it was every bit as wonderful as I had imagined. Stacey is truly my kind of woman - energised, wearing her heart on her sleeve, immensely creative, dynamic and equipped with a razor sharp wit. From the moment we started prepping for the retreat, a magical energy filled the room.
We arrived in time for lunch at one of my favourite deli’s in Childrey, giggled over coffee and cake and set off to set up at our exquisite barn hidden in the Oxfordshire countryside. Honestly, the venue was like something out of the movies. Sweeping gravel drives, endless thatched roofs cascading over 200 year old barns, a glistening swimming pool, weeping willow trees, climbing roses in all colours and our very own mini cottage at the end of the secret garden. We were certainly living our best lives!
One of the fun elements of hosting writing retreats is the prep before hand, arranging the tables and chairs, laying out candles and flowers, making sure the goodie bags were filled with delightful gifts ranging from candles, beauty products, journals, pens, herbal teas and small delights. In the evening, we took a gentle stroll across the garden, where we enjoyed a delicious meal at the local gastro pub, it was pure heaven. Then as mature adults we headed back to our cute cottage for a cup of tea and an early night.
I woke up sprightly, drew back the curtains and spotted a deer quite happily munching on the wild flowers beyond the mowed lawns, what a heavenly way to wake up. Before long it was 930am and guests were starting to arrive. Their beautiful smiles said it all, they really couldn’t believe they were one of the 16 guests attending the “Doing Hard Things” with ease, retreat.
One of the greatest joys of hosting these writing retreats is holding space for like-minded souls to gather. There is something so incredibly powerful about a group of women coming together to tap into their creativity and vulnerability through words. Strangers arrive, but friends depart.
It takes tremendous courage for women to invest their time, money and emotional energy into attending a writing retreat. For some, it may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Yet the payoff is immense - I’ve witnessed how therapeutic writing can be, how truly life-changing it is for some, where attendees build self-esteem, lean into their creative talents and feel empowered to follow their heart’s desire.
Stacey and I share a deep passion for using words to heal, inspire and transform lives. Her memoir is a shining example of the power of courageously telling one’s truth. As we co-facilitated a one day writing retreat and held space for each person’s unique journey to unfold, I felt so honoured to be doing this sacred work alongside her.
Long may events like this continue, providing crucial opportunities for women to slow down, go inward and cultivate their authentic voices. The world needs more brave storytellers like Stacey who are willing to lay their truth bare on the page. And I hope I can continue to provide more circular gatherings like this, where people can be reminded of their inherent creativity, wisdom and worth.
If you’d like to learn more about any future ease retreats I have a few exciting events planned in for the the remainder of the year. More info below, but please don’t hesitate to contact me via a direct message or via email at hello@easeretreats.com
I’d love to explain more about all the goodness that happens here with ease.
Until the next time
Take care and stay safe xx
What’s On 'with ease'
Creative Unblocking Weekend Retreat with ease &
- only 1 bedroom left available - 16th-18th November 2024Rage on a Page - you’re very welcome to join the next series of my therapeutic journaling program. I’m looking to work with 6 women and there are only 3 spaces left available. Starting from the 9th September 2024
More Sales Please - a brand new day retreat to blow up the sales in your creative business without the grind, with the gorgeously energetic Sara Dalrymple of
- 27th September 2024Doing Hard Things with ease &
- there is a waiting list for the next retreat later this year - date tbc. Plus, there is a bursary place for one lucky guest.Digital Detox Weekend Retreat - set in a gorgeous beach house near Pembrokeshire. Join me to learn how to take back control on the amount of time you spend on your device, find new ways to entertain yourself, embrace more positive daily activities and generally feel more upbeat and happier. Guaranteed… coastal walks, cold water therapy, feasting on local produce, therapeutic journaling workshops, reading, writing and plenty of resting! 18th-20th October 2024
Sounds magical!
How extraordinary. I live in Childrey! We are indeed blessed with our coffee shops.