The Magic of Our First Femina Collective Retreat
We live in a fast-paced world where the demands of everyday life can be overwhelming. As women, we often find ourselves caught up in our professional lives, and we forget to connect with our greater selves and with other women. That's why I decided to host the first women’s retreat, where we could do just that. In this blog post, I’m going to take you through our incredible journey and explain why taking time off is not just a want, but a need that every woman should prioritize at least once a year.
Our retreat was set in a tropical location to give us a luxurious and relaxed atmosphere where we could disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our programming included daily morning meditations and group sessions followed by free time in the afternoon to connect with each other and share our stories. This allowed us to develop deeper connections with each other and nourish our souls.
On the first morning of the retreat, we had coach Diane Gies lead us through personal whiteboard journeys. We examined the messages we’ve carried with us throughout our lives from childhood, adolescence, high school, our first jobs, and families. These messages can shape us and sometimes hold us back from being our authentic selves. This exercise was especially powerful because each woman was given the opportunity to share their experiences and hear stories from other women who may have gone through similar struggles.
Our journey began with Sustainability Coach Carmen Turner, who guided us through a series of journaling questions focused on unpacking our belief systems. We started by reflecting on the expectations that others have placed upon us and analyzing the beliefs we hold because of them. The discussion that followed was insightful and thought-provoking, as we shared our professional and personal expectations, and the impact they have on our lives.
Our retreat was a huge success. The energy was palpable from the moment we all came together to the last time our last transfer left the resort. We returned to our busy lives with newfound strength and inspiration after taking time to connect with ourselves and each other.
One of the biggest takeaways from our retreat was the importance of taking time off. Many women neglect their own physical and mental wellbeing while juggling family and work responsibilities. This retreat taught us that by taking some time off, we can practice self-care, invest in ourselves, get inspired, and come back refreshed.
Another crucial takeaway was the power of connection. Women often face the challenge of not feeling supported or heard. Developing close relationships with other women can create a support system where we can lean on each other and share our experiences. The connections we made on this retreat were invaluable and we now have newfound connections and support systems we can tap into no matter what life throws our way.
In conclusion, our first women’s retreat was a success, and we proved to ourselves that taking time off is more than just a luxury – it’s a necessity. We left the retreat filled with inspiration and a newfound support system. If you’re a woman juggling a high-pressure work environment, a family, and a social life, I encourage you to schedule time every year to detach yourself from all your responsibilities and prioritize self-care. In doing so, you’ll return to your daily routine with newfound strength, inspiration and be ready to tackle everything again with a new energy.