Life is busy and there never seems to be enough time to do the things
we really want to do. That's the great tragedy of responsibility. I
recently complained to my husband about the burden of 'adulting'. "Don't
you ever wish you could just be sixteen again? No bills, no
responsibility, no stupid minivan that can't handle Canadian winters?"
"No," he said. "I don't want to be sixteen again. I'd rather be the age I am with a hundred million dollars. That's how I want to stop worrying about bills."
But it's not just the bills, is it? It's the day-job that eats up our time, it's our home and family that eats up our attention, it's the new shows on Netflix that we watch because everyone's talking about them and then we wallow in the disappointment of unmet expectations and wish we hadn't just wasted those two hours that could have been better spent creating something of our own. (Bird Box, anyone? 🙄)
Time management is my greatest struggle as a creative and it's one of the reasons I've made it a priority to treat myself to writing retreats at least twice a year.
Retreats can take many forms. They can be huge conferences with hundreds of people, where you listen to keynote speakers and cry quietly in your seat because you're so inspired by the words of a respected authority. They can be small seminars where you workshop your pieces around a table with others who are just as nervous as you are. And they can be quiet and humble and removed from distractions, designed solely to give you a space to zero in and focus on that project that's been neglected for far too long.
It is so important to give yourself permission to invest in your passions.
It took me far too long to embrace the need to get away, and now that I understand the great value it adds to my own life, I feel compelled to share it.
I attended a panel discussion on fundraising at last September's Word on the Street where the topic of event hosting came up. I came away from that seminar inspired to explore the possibility of events for Blank Spaces - not as a method of fundraising, but as a way to continue to build that community outside the binding of a print magazine or social media interactions. As ideas began to brew, so too did the idea that I want to design space for that creative community to create together. (A big part of where my last post came from.)
As I began putting out feelers, asking people what they'd want from an event, the idea of hosting a writer's retreat took root. It's something I feel capable of. It's also a great jumping off point as we look at building bigger events. By starting small, I'll gain the courage to go big!
So that's what I'm doing. Along with one of my Blank Spaces team mates I will be facilitating a creative weekend retreat at a small cottage along the shores of Lake Huron.
Who should register?
If you answered yes to any of these examples then this retreat should be right up your alley!
Who should not register?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then this retreat is not for you.
*Sorry guys! I'll be brainstorming ways to host gender-inclusive events with my team.
**I am not a chef but I can throw a good meal together.
***No judgement! A lot of us do it 😉 Just don't do it at this retreat. Make sure you pack pajamas in your suitcase! Sure, we're creatives, we've got a little poetry and 'hippyness' inside us, but that doesn't make us nudists. There are other retreats for that...
Be sure to read through all the information provided in the payment portal below before you sign up. I want to create a safe, positive, accepting, motivating space - make sure you're willing and able to be an active participant in that before you register.
(Does the box below annoy you? Click here to go directly to the dedicated payment page.)
"No," he said. "I don't want to be sixteen again. I'd rather be the age I am with a hundred million dollars. That's how I want to stop worrying about bills."
But it's not just the bills, is it? It's the day-job that eats up our time, it's our home and family that eats up our attention, it's the new shows on Netflix that we watch because everyone's talking about them and then we wallow in the disappointment of unmet expectations and wish we hadn't just wasted those two hours that could have been better spent creating something of our own. (Bird Box, anyone? 🙄)
Time management is my greatest struggle as a creative and it's one of the reasons I've made it a priority to treat myself to writing retreats at least twice a year.
 |
| Gaining some inspiration from Julia Cameron's book 'The Artist's Way' at last winter's retreat. |
Retreats can take many forms. They can be huge conferences with hundreds of people, where you listen to keynote speakers and cry quietly in your seat because you're so inspired by the words of a respected authority. They can be small seminars where you workshop your pieces around a table with others who are just as nervous as you are. And they can be quiet and humble and removed from distractions, designed solely to give you a space to zero in and focus on that project that's been neglected for far too long.
It is so important to give yourself permission to invest in your passions.
It took me far too long to embrace the need to get away, and now that I understand the great value it adds to my own life, I feel compelled to share it.
I attended a panel discussion on fundraising at last September's Word on the Street where the topic of event hosting came up. I came away from that seminar inspired to explore the possibility of events for Blank Spaces - not as a method of fundraising, but as a way to continue to build that community outside the binding of a print magazine or social media interactions. As ideas began to brew, so too did the idea that I want to design space for that creative community to create together. (A big part of where my last post came from.)
As I began putting out feelers, asking people what they'd want from an event, the idea of hosting a writer's retreat took root. It's something I feel capable of. It's also a great jumping off point as we look at building bigger events. By starting small, I'll gain the courage to go big!
So that's what I'm doing. Along with one of my Blank Spaces team mates I will be facilitating a creative weekend retreat at a small cottage along the shores of Lake Huron.
Who should register?
- Are you a woman?
- Are there projects you wish you could do but you just can't find the time?
- Are you constantly making excuses instead of chasing after what you really want?
- Are you distracted by your home and work life and unable to concentrate on the creative project you dream of doing?
- Have you ever thought, 'Gee, I really wish I could just get away for a couple days and focus'?
- Are you motivated by the company of other creatives?
- Do you crave productivity and quiet?
- Do you believe in yourself enough to invest in your passion?
If you answered yes to any of these examples then this retreat should be right up your alley!
Who should not register?
- Are you a man*?
- Are you looking for a party weekend?
- Does nature freak you out?
- Are you afraid of the quiet?
- Are you grumpy or mean?
- Do you expect gourmet cooking**?
- Do you sleep naked***?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then this retreat is not for you.
*Sorry guys! I'll be brainstorming ways to host gender-inclusive events with my team.
**I am not a chef but I can throw a good meal together.
***No judgement! A lot of us do it 😉 Just don't do it at this retreat. Make sure you pack pajamas in your suitcase! Sure, we're creatives, we've got a little poetry and 'hippyness' inside us, but that doesn't make us nudists. There are other retreats for that...
Be sure to read through all the information provided in the payment portal below before you sign up. I want to create a safe, positive, accepting, motivating space - make sure you're willing and able to be an active participant in that before you register.
(Does the box below annoy you? Click here to go directly to the dedicated payment page.)
If you have any questions, be sure to utilize the 'Ask Question' feature within the payment portal. Those questions come right to me and I'll do my best to answer them quickly.
I'm excited by the possibilities of this weekend and the creativity it will foster. I can't wait to meet you at the lake!
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