What My First Retreat Taught Me

When I opened my home for the very first Aligned Sanctuary Retreat, I had a picture in my mind of how everything would flow. And then real life walked in the door. One of our guest presenters had to cancel at the last minute because she was sick, so I found myself winging it (something I don't love to admit!). Then on the final day, my assistant came down sick too. I'll be honest, there was a moment where I wondered how it would all come together. But it did. Those surprises reminded me that the heart of a retreat isn't the schedule. It's the women in the room and the space you hold for them.

A few things carried us beautifully. My kitchen helper, Linda, was a true gift. She treated every guest as the special woman she is, and you could feel that care in every meal and every small moment in between. I'm also so glad I built in what we called "Flow Time", it was open time for the women to simply be on the property. Some connected and shared their stories, some wandered, and some just sat outside in the sun listening to the birds. Watching that unfold, I realized how rarely we give ourselves permission to do nothing at all... and how much healing happens when we actually do.

So what did I learn? Plan well, but hold it loosely. Surround yourself with people who lead with kindness. And never underestimate the power of unstructured time in a supportive space.

I'm already dreaming about what's next, and I'm excited to share that our Spring 2027 retreat is on the way. I can't wait to welcome a new circle of women into my home. Thank you to every woman who said yes to this first gathering. Your big hearts
​made it unforgettable.

Warmly,
Lisa Morton