Why Is Springtime The Perfect Time To Retreat?

Originally written September 2023, and updated April 2024 with details of new retreat offerings available.

As I sit at my laptop writing this, I’m looking out at the mountains that surround Wanaka - in particular Roy’s Peak, and I’m in awe at the new life that’s either returning, or just starting to grow. And it makes me realise all the reasons why Spring is the perfect time to go on your retreat.

Springtime is a time of growth, a time of new life.

Spring is the time after nature has spent months in hibernation, and is just learning how to step out in the world once more. And, before we head towards summer, it is time to reflect on what has been, and to put practices in place that will support us as we move forwards.

Over winter, even as humans, it’s quite normal to notice yourself slowing down, not socialising as much, staying home more often. As we enter spring, it’s like we start to defrost, start to find our movement patterns once more, and if we’re not careful, it’s possible to go straight into overdrive without taking a moment to pause. Pause to look around you, do the flowers in your garden go from brown leaves to full bloom? Do the lambs in the fields go from being born to being full grown sheep? Does the cherry blossom go from bud to fruit overnight?

No. They take their time.

The flowers are taking their time to grow and learn how to adapt to the conditions around them. The lambs are springing around the fields being playful and inviting joy into their days. The fruit trees are taking their time to create nourishment for themselves to be able to support their fruits.

And you are no different. As you enter spring, a time of change & transformation, you too need to slow down to make sure you don’t get swept away as soon as things start to speed up. It’s vital to take time to emerge and learn how to adapt to the conditions around you. It’s so important to give yourself space to inject some joy and playfulness into your life - every day if you can! And you really need to take time to nourish yourself, both on the inside and the outside, to be able to support yourself going into the busy-ness of summer. What’s more, here in New Zealand, summer is also paired with Christmas & New Year, a time connected to socialising & being busy. If you aren’t nourishing yourself from the inside first, then you’re leaving yourself open to feeling the full chaos of it all.

What does it mean to nourish yourself from the inside? How can you slow down and learn how to adapt?

I often hear these questions along with things like ‘but I don’t have time to slow down’ or ‘how am I meant to fit in self-care?’ or ‘what does it mean to slow down and practice self-care?’ Does this sound like you?

The first thing I want you to know is, self-care and slowing down looks different for everyone. And yes, it is possible to fit in self-care, even when you’re a busy working mum, or an ambitious business owner. In fact, it’s KEY to find time to fit these practices in, in order to have more energy for your family, for your business, for yourself.

As springtime is a time of renewal, growth, and joy, it’s also the perfect time to go on retreat. The perfect moment to hit the pause button for the weekend, truly nourish yourself, and learn how to continue nourishing yourself when you go back to the real world.

As such, I decided that spring is the perfect time for my upcoming Soul Awakening Retreat. As the season is changing around you, you can spend the weekend embracing this change. This is the perfect opportunity for you to slow down for the weekend. You’ll spend the time here in the winterless North, nestled in the rolling hills, overlooking the ocean & listening to nature as we meditate together, practice yoga & enjoy delicious freshly prepared meals together. We’ll have daily circles & workshops where we find solutions to what’s holding you back from nourishing yourself in the outside world and you’ll learn how to inject self-care into your life every single day.

This Women’s Only Retreat is happening 17th-20th October, just a 40minute drive from Whangarei, Northland. Spaces are limited to a maximum of 10 beautiful ladies & included in your retreat package is daily cacao, meditation & yoga, group coaching workshops, as well as nourishing, freshly prepared plant-based meals. You even receive a free follow up coaching call with me to support you as you integrate your new wellness hacks back into your everyday life. This is truly a transformational retreat.

You see all the details here, or book a call with me if you have any questions. I look forward to welcoming you on retreat in New Zealand this year.