Untethered
Embracing freedom and nature at the Big Retreat Festival
Dear friend
How are you today? Did you enjoy a relaxing weekend? I’m taking some time out today, to process, what I can only explain as an extraordinary weekend at The Big Retreat Festival
As someone who now dedicates her life to helping others process their emotions through therapeutic journaling, I was absolutely thrilled to host my Rage on a Page workshops in real life, in front of a large audience. Set in the most breathtaking natural environment with sweeping views that truly took my breath away, I knew this was going to be a transformative experience from the moment I arrived.
Once I’d nested in my very cute bell tent and arranged all my glamping gear, I ventured out across the fields and explored the bijou festival to find all the cool spaces, the yoga arena, the feasting hubs and the chill out tent where I’d be hosting my journaling workshops. My mind was blown on so many levels, this was my kind of festival.
Over the course of the weekend, I had the honour of guiding groups of remarkable men and women through the power of therapeutic journaling prompts. Watching as they allowed pent-up frustrations, fears and negative energy to flow freely onto the page, was incredibly moving. Some women in the audience had never journaled in their life, some were curious about “Rage on a Page” and the techniques I taught, and others were keen to learn how to adopt a consistent journaling habit. I was in awe of everyone. I was literally moved to my core, by how curious everyone was, all craving a solution on how to get their thoughts out of their busy minds and onto the blank page.
The festival had such a peaceful setting, surrounded by whispering trees where the melodic sounds of nature and the flowing estuary, provided the perfect backdrop for my intensely cathartic workshops.
I was overjoyed to witness so many individuals open their hearts and minds to my simple journaling techniques. The connections they formed in these circles were pure magic, reminding me of journaling’s ability to cultivate profound vulnerability, authenticity and human bonds.
When I had “down time” away from facilitating my workshops, I spent my days blissfully “off grid” surrendering my phone and digital devices. I met amazing people such as Siobhan Daniels aka Retirement Rebel who now travels the UK in a motorhome after leaving her successful career at the BBC and selling everything she owned, house included! I loved her attitude to life and was especially inspired by her mission - to help and encourage more women to embrace an extraordinary life post 60! Watch this space, a new day retreat is on the horizon!
What I appreciated the most, was sleeping under the blanket of stars in my cosy bell tent, rising with the sun, making a fresh brew over my mini gas stove and eating fresh fruit, which nourished my soul in ways I can’t fully express. Honestly, I returned home a changed woman. It was as though I’d pulled back the curtain on what life really has to offer when you switch off the daily hustle n bustle. More than anything, it was liberating for me to be a guest at a retreat festival rather than always being the organiser and host. I managed to let go of control, of check lists and people pleasing in return for exploring new places, experiencing new activities and simply being at one with nature.
Attending The Big Retreat Festival reassured me that my mission to encourage as many people as possible to journal and journal every single day, making it a non-negotiable wellbeing ritual, is the path I’m to remain on until the day I die. It was nothing short of profound.
This weekend has energised me to launch my upcoming Digital Detox Weekend Retreat sooner than planned. So if you’re keen to join me, we’ll be escaping to a charming beach house nestled along a gorgeous coastal bay, far from the city lights. These weekends will combine therapeutic journaling workshops with complete disconnection from our devices, feasting on local produce, coastal walks, reading and resting. So stay tuned for more details or email me if you’d like to go on the waiting list, but for now, I’m basking in the immense gratitude for the life-changing connections formed at the festival. My heart is full!
While not everyone may have the chance to experience a transcendent retreat like I just did, we all have the power to carve out pockets of time to disconnect from technology and reconnect with ourselves, our loved ones and the great outdoors. Those tiny moments in nature and togetherness are essential for our wellbeing and growth, don’t you agree?
My hope is that by sharing my experience, I can inspire you to lookup from your screens and look inward through the empowering practice of therapeutic journaling. Whether around a campfire or in your living room, the pages of a well worn notebook provide a s acred space to freely express your unfiltered thoughts, feelings, dreams and truths. I certainly reconnected with what my heart desires over these past few days and long may this delightful feeling last.
Inspired by my experience at the big retreat festival, I’ve curated a few prompts if you’d care to join me for the next 10 minutes of so.
1. Reflect on a time when you felt connected to nature. Describing the setting in vivid detail using all five senses. How did that connection make you feel?
2. If you could spend a few days completely disconnected from digital devices in a tranquil natural setting, what would that look and feel like? Visualise your ideal off the grid setting.
3. Make a list of the people in your life with whom you share a deep, soulful human connection. What makes those bonds so meaningful? Journal about a memorable moment with one of those individuals.
I hope you enjoy a moment to "pause for thought" today/this evening. Please make the effort, because you deserve it, even for just a few minutes each day. Go on, I dare you!
Until the next time,
Take care and stay safe xx
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.
Looks like you certainly enjoyed yourself here. I see you had a captivated audience !
Keep up the good work you are doing , we are very impressed of your professionalism and dedication to what you are achieving on this journey . M & D xx
Wish I could have been there! and what a view x