Let’s Go Into The Forest

Where stillness invites deeper questions — and the wisdom to hear the answers.

3 Days and 3 Nights - Offline

breathe

she sat at the back

and they said she was shy

she led from the front

and they hated her pride

they asked her advice

and they questioned her guidance

they branded her loud

then were shocked by her silence

when she shared no ambition

they said it was sad

so she told them her dreams

and they said she was mad

they told her they’d listen

then covered their ears

and gave her a hug

whilst they laughed at her fears

and she listened to all of it

thinking she should

be the girl they told her to be

best as she could

but one day she asked

what was best for herself

instead of trying

to please everyone else

so she walked to the forest

and stood with the trees

she heard the wind whisper

and dance with the leaves

and she spoke with the willow,

the elm and the pine

and she told them what she’d been told

time after time

she told them she never

felt nearly enough

she was either too little

or far, far too much

too loud or too quiet

too fierce or too weak

too wise or too foolish

too bold or too meek

then she found a small clearing

surrounded by firs

and she stopped and she heard

what the trees said to her

and she sat there for hours

not wanting to leave

for the forest said nothing…

it just let her breathe

by Becky Hemsley

When I first read this poem it resonated with me so deeply. For parts of my life and leadership, I have moved through many of these verses, but the main flavour is captured in the lines:

and she listened to all of it

thinking she should

be the girl they told her to be

best as she could

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When we navigate the world with so many voices in our heads, it can be hard to tune in and listen to our own voice and wisdom.

For more than a decade, I have been creating and facilitating women’s retreats, spaces where we can step away from the noise and return to ourselves.

As the world becomes increasingly digital and faster-paced, my commitment to this work deepens.

We need spaces where we can unplug from the constant stream of information and reconnect with something more essential — our own voice, our creativity, and our wisdom.

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The Harvest Retreat is not about doing or trying to be more; it is about remembering who you are so that you can cultivate a grounded life and grounded leadership.

This retreat is for you if:

• You are in a leadership role (work, family, community, business owner)

• You are navigating a season of transition or change (work, family, community, health)

• You want a renewed sense of connection to yourself and others

• You need permission to stop and be more creative

• You want to give more by doing less

During the retreat, we will cultivate:

Reflection

Leadership of any kind becomes reactive if we do not practice reflection. Through reflective practices, you will identify how you are pulled away from who you want to be in your professional and personal life.

Replenishment

Replenishment is not indulgence; it is a strategy for sustainable leadership and grounded living. We will explore what depletes you and how you can create consistent practices of replenishment in your everyday life.

Renewal

Busy and burnout are no longer badges of honour. During this retreat, you will identify where you may be operating from old narratives (yours and society’s) so that you can review and renew your leadership and your life.

We will spend three days and three nights engaging in intentional practices of nature connection, writing, journaling, creativity, rest, and group coaching.

Only 8 places are available for this first retreat. I do hope you’ll join me.

As it is such an intimate retreat, paid subscribers have early access and an early-bird price, until Monday, 9 at midday.

At midday, the full retreat information and registration will be open to everyone.

Wishing you a weekend of listening in the stillness.

Below the paywall, this week:

• Early retreat access and early-bird price

• Harvest Gathering Replay - Theme: Acknowledging Rituals and Rhythms

• Harvest Gathering Journal Questions

• A harvest of delights!