For months as I prepared for my epic trip to Europe, I knew I would not return as the same version of me who arrived there.
And one might think that is because I got to check off a bucket list item of seeing the Eras Tour (twice!) or having a glorious week to myself in Florence (see two previous posts for recaps of that).
And while those two things added kindling to the fire, I knew it was actually part 3 of my trip that was going to be the real "fireworks" part.
For more than a year, I had anticipated and envisioned being a part of a beautiful and transmutative retreat ... one that was Nourish(ing) and filled with love, fellowship, and friendship.
Even though I described it as fireworks, it was anything but a loud, in-your-face, shakes-you-in-your-bones experience. No - it had a subtly permeating, restful, chill, laugh-so-hard-you-cry-and-spit-out-your-Fanta kind of air to it.
It marked both the closure of some immensely healing and transformative chapters and the beginning of new, expansive, and grounding ones.
It was everything I had envisioned and anticipated. It was the real deal.
I came home on such solid footing and so renewed, I didn't really need to "recover" as most people would after such a huge trip.
I didn't take a billion pictures during the retreat because, like I mentioned in my last post -- this retreat was for ME. It was a sacred experience, a “you had to be there / IYKYK" kind of vibe.
Memories were made that I will never forget, and that's because I had the opportunity to fully LIVE them and they permeated themselves all the way into my DNA and soul.
Or rather — they already lived in my DNA and Soul, and I simply lived my way into them.
But I did capture a few precious moments from the best overseas weeklong sleepover a girl could ever dream up, and am happy to share them now.
Many thanks to all of the gorgeous women on the retreat team and in the retreat — what a special experience and special bond. And of course many thanks to the mastermind behind it all — a beautiful soul, Amanda Ranae, who was completely and utterly in her element and art.
(Go read her post on FB/IG about it, because she sums up her gifts just perfectly)
I most definitely return home not a different version of myself, but in fact -- the most "me" version of myself.
The whole week capped off a trip that was orchestrated like a perfect synchronized swimming routine.
And with that, I raise two glasses (one in each hand) in celebration of the beauty of following your heart.
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