Welcome to Living Well: Retreat to Self. Imagine a place where you come to relax, renew, and connect with good-hearted souls. Enjoy home-cooked meals. Trail walks. Late night talks. Come as you are and leave happier, more peaceful and centered.

The air is clear and quiet. Wild rabbits, deer, and peacocks wander, pausing to look at you and pose their wild questions with their wild rabbit, deer, and peacock eyes. Imagine your old friend, the sun, showing you how gentle she can be. And the moon, wrapping herself in a cloak so soft, so careful, a new sky full of stars glows its million midnight lights specifically for you. Imagine two days filled to the brim with no one asking you for anything. This is living well. This is a retreat to the Self. 

FAQs

What exactly is Living Well: Retreat to Self?

A writing retreat for women. You’ll spend two-days and one-night in a beautiful cabin in the mountains with other women. The retreat begins Friday morning and ends Saturday evening. Retreats are held once or twice yearly. [On hold during the pandemic] Originally envisioned as a gathering for local women, the retreat has brought women from across the country.

Why did you create this retreat?

First – Because every woman I know needs to get away from the demands of life. This is an actual retreat: a momentary running away and a surrender to self care.

Second – Writing is a great way to connect or reconnect with oneself. It can open proverbial doors to one’s inner life and provide a gentle, mindful distraction from outside pressures.

Third – Women tend to be burdened (or blessed) by the call to nurture. But they need to be nurtured themselves. And I believe nature is among the best places to find nurturing. 

The idea germinated many years ago, then bloomed into life when my children were grown and I had time and energy to offer this gift to other women. I essentially created the retreat I wish I’d had during the toughest years of my life as a single parent. It turns out, other women need it too! 

What if I’m not a writer? Will I like this retreat? 

Yes! You’ll meet other women just like you. Seasoned writers and those who haven’t even dabbled in writing enjoy this gathering. Please come, whether you consider yourself a “writer” or not. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by what is waiting inside you to be expressed.  

Am I the right age for this gathering? 

Yes! Women of all ages attend: From women in their twenties to mid-life to women in their 80s. It’s remarkable how easily we connect in the warmth of Living Well Retreat. You’ll love it! 

How many women attend? 

By design this is a small group retreat, averaging 12-16 women. (We topped out at 22 and that was a BIG group.) Some women attend every retreat, others rotate in and out. 

What if I’m an introvert?

This retreat is for you. We include lots of quiet time to reflect and renew. All personality types have expressed their delight with the experience. It truly is a retreat to self, whatever sort of self you are.

Where do you meet? 

We’re on hold during the pandemic, but retreats are held in a lovely, large cabin in South Fork Provo Canyon, near Sundance Resort, in Utah County, Utah. See photos below. The space offers shared rooms and some private quarters to meet each woman’s needs.

Living Well Retreat may be expanding in the future to include locations in Southern Utah. Stay tuned!

Who are the presenters and workshop leaders? 

We feature local and regional writers as our primary Saturday workshop leaders. Past presenters include Ann Edwards Cannon & Louise Plummer, Danielle Dubrasky, Phyllis Barber, and me. 

For a slight change of focus we invited Amy Oaks Long to lead us through details of creating and preserving our own life stories, written and otherwise. On another occasion, Julie Smith provided a stunning seminar on women in the new testament and the often overlooked impact of women’s voices and women’s stories.

Fae Ellsworth, MFA, artist and fairy godmother, provides insightful and engaging art workshops as part of the retreat.

All presenters are women. Our conversations and activities focus on women’s wholeness, wellness, and happiness—using writing as an instrument to heal, support, and nurture ourselves and each other. 

How much does it cost and what is included?

Registration fees cover lodging, meals, retreat/writing supplies, retreat-specific gifts bags + lots of TLC. Fees fluctuate slightly due to variables such as travel expenses for presenters, but are typically $300 to $350 per person. Half price scholarships may be available.

When will you hold the next retreat?

The current global pandemic will dictate the timing for when we can resume. I’m hoping for autumn 2021 or possibly spring 2022. We want to feel safe in all aspects and free to gather without too many constraints. I hope you’ll join us. 

In the meantime, be well, take care of yourself, and enjoy a few photos from past retreats! 

:::

Fae’s farewell. Until next time.