Episode 52: The Benefits Of A Retreat
When you think of going on retreat you might envision being busy doing lots of activities and seeing all the sites.
That’s all about doing. If you’ve ever wondered what you can learn about yourself while being immersed in a once in a lifetime experience, this podcast is for you.
What You’ll Learn:
- Questions to ask yourself about your capacity to receive vs give.
- Why asking for help isn’t weak.
- What Italy taught me about me and the life I want.
- My invitation to you to join me in Italy for the experience of a lifetime.
Listen to the episode above or stream it on your favorite podcast app:
Do you feel needy if you ask for help? I’m here to help YOU and I don’t think you’re needy. I think you’re brilliant at knowing yourself. Schedule a Discovery Call with me today and let’s turn the narrative in your brain from needy to next-level.
Episode 52: The Benefits Of A Retreat (Transcript)
How are you on this fine day my loves? I am doing very well and am sooooo excited because my new women’s retreat to Italy is open for registration!
This has been a labor of love on so many levels and I am giddy with joy about what this retreat is going to offer you.
We will be staying at a luxurious estate in the heart of Tuscany. I have so many amazing experiences planned for you! I’ve included everything you could possibly want – and more.
What you can expect:
- Private coaching with me for each of the women who join me
- Massages, yoga, cooking classes
- Treks to amazing cities
- Plus, several surprises you’ll just have to wait for and see when you join me
This retreat will sell out quickly and there is very limited availability. It’s not a one-size-fits-all experience with a large group. This is a carefully curated luxury experience where every moment has a purpose and you will leave feeling refreshed, renewed and reenergized.
I want you to experience what Italy has to teach you. I’m going back because it’s so beautiful and every time I visit, I feel I’ve come home. Space is limited so make your deposit today. I want to experience this with you!
Why did I choose Italy?
Well, aside from obvious reasons like the food, the wine, the landscape and the people – I chose it because it’s the perfect place for you to leave behind the hustle culture that we in the US live on, and give yourself some breathing space – space to exhale.
When we allow ourselves to slow down and actually receive the richness that Italy offers in so many ways – that is magical. It opens up a portal to our innermost yearnings and desires – the ones that get ignored or pushed back into the caverns of our mind – because we’re just too busy right now.
Allowing Ourselves To Receive
My experience has been that we’re always going to be busy with something, so using that as an excuse not to pay attention to what your heart desires is a fast way to live a life with regrets.
Last week I talked about how women need to learn to receive and how our society from the beginning of time has taught us that women are not supposed to express their needs or wants. It’s their job to take care of everyone and put their wants and desires last.
Of course, you know I called BS on that.
Women have fears about being seen as weak or needy, especially if they have high-powered jobs and see themselves as strong capable women.
We as women have fought hard for our independence. Receiving might infringe on it or at least may seem to in the hierarchical world we live in and you may hear that inner critic voice say, “maybe you’re not as capable as you think.”
We may believe deep down that strong women who have their shit together don’t need help. I’ve heard myself say, “it’s ok for others to ask for help, but not me.” Like what am I Wonder Woman?
I’m human and so are you. We all need help sometimes. And what if we get used to the kindnesses or generosity that we’re shown and then suddenly it’s pulled away? Then what?
It boils down to taking a leap of faith that we are worthy to receive.
We have to leap and open ourselves up to the feeling that receiving brings. It’s so filling. It literally fills you up. I know this for a fact because I’ve experienced it many, many times.
where do you need to ask for help?
Where are you giving too much to others and is it what they really want or need?
Where do you allow yourself to receive and why is that area OK and others are not?
The Benefits of A Retreat & What I Learned
When I was in Italy last fall, I learned so much about what I truly wanted. I allowed myself to relax and slow down.
I didn’t check emails or take any work with me.
That may seem pretty obvious, but you would be surprised how many women do that when they are on a trip that isn’t business related.
I brought a journal with me and wrote it in every day.
I kept track of all the activities we did so I would never forget them and my thoughts and feelings about each one. I wanted to capture each moment as completely as possible.
I took time to reflect on what each day meant to me and what I learned.
Italy is a very special place to me. I feel like I’m home each time I visit and I want to share that feeling with you and show you what it can teach you, too.
What I Learned about myself:
I love to eat from beautiful dishes in beautiful place settings at every meal.
Not just on holidays or when I’m entertaining. Every day. Every meal. The presentation of the food during my stay was so inviting and stimulated all my senses. Whether we were eating in an amazing restaurant or being served one course after another by the in-house chef that prepared most of our meals, I slowed down, took it all in and tasted every single bite.
Not once did I watch TV while eating so fast I was done before the 30-minute show was over.
No, in Italy you sip and savor each course. The food is prepared in such a way that you taste the love – even in a restaurant.
Now compare that to where you usually dine. Can you honestly say you can taste the love?
I love to be surrounded by beauty.
The views were breathtaking and the attention to detail in the architecture was amazing.
In Italy, they honor old buildings and keep them for centuries. Not like in the US where we knock down buildings as fast as we build them striving for the “new and improved” version.
I love the history and the reverence the Italians feel for it. These buildings have survived many wars and invasions and they are still standing, much like the Italian people.
Flowers bring me joy.
There was greenery and flowers everywhere – in the gardens, on the dining table, in my suite, in each room of the villa – even in the kitchen.
I realized how much joy I receive by having flowers around me. I now make sure I have bouquets in several rooms in my home, be it silk or fresh. The beauty always makes me smile when I turn a corner and catch a glimpse.
I cherish women as friends.
Or should I say confirmed my love of women as friends. Particularly women of a certain age who have lived long enough to know who they are, what they believe in, and what they stand for.
My conversations with the women on this trip were fascinating, fun, and fulfilling. I know these women will stay with me forever whether that be physically or in my heart.
I learned to love myself.
I realized my desire to go topless in the Mediterranean Sea. I did an entire podcast episode on the power of play a few months ago and I invite you to take the time to listen to it. Nothing short of life-changing.
I learned what I want my third act of life to look like.
This was eye-opening for me and on a deeper level, I wasn’t surprised at all.
I’ve done the “get good grades, do what you’re told” part of my early life. I’ve gotten married and raised three kids that I adore while buying into the whole “put others’ needs before your own and do everything for everybody” and for a time forgot who I was and what I wanted.
What I want isn’t conventional according to our western society and many people won’t understand it. That’s OK. I understand it.
I want adventures. I want to explore. It’s my time to see the world and make connections wherever I go.
I get to do that while continuing to work with women leaders and entrepreneurs, helping them feel more confident, trust themselves and connect with their authentic selves. I get to do that from anywhere in the world. Isn’t that amazing?
- What do you want to let go of?
- What do you want to shift or change?
- What is your soul craving?
Final Thoughts
No matter the stage of your life, I implore you to take time to go within and ask that incredibly wise woman who lives inside you what she needs you to know.
You can’t hear her in the noisy world of your everyday life because of all the busyness.
You need to leave that world behind for a week and join me at The Exhale Retreat™ in Italy where you’ll have the space to receive her wisdom while being immersed in luxurious surroundings. Reserve your spot today my love. Italy awaits – and so does your next act.
Until next time my love, remember:
Ho fiducia in te – I believe in you.