Come along and recharge, connect, and create

UPDATE: Due to COVID19, I had to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Spring Retreat. I hope to have a Tell It retreat in the fall of 2022 and will update this page with new dates when I’m able to make that call. Please get in touch if you have questions.

The Tell It Retreat is an art journaling + self-care and mindfulness retreat held in the Pacific Northwest in Tacoma, Washington from April 29 - May 3, 2020. Spots are still available!! Read on for all the juicy details.

This retreat is about gathering tools to help you tell your story through art journaling. We will begin to fill a journal with stories and secret dreams and the words you most need. We will explore collage, write, poem, take photos, play with watercolors, and even use my vintage typewriter. I will share peeks into my journals, give you lots of prompts to play with, share my journaling supplies with you, and spill all my journaling secrets.

This retreat is also about slowing down and noticing the world around and within you. It’s about gathering in community with like-minded souls to connect and listen and hold space. It’s about playing and recharging as you put color and words and photos onto the page. It’s about dancing with the poet inside you, practicing listening to your inner wisdom, and opening your heart to what’s next in your world.

Also, no previous experience with journaling, art journaling, writing, being crafty or artsy required. This is a retreat for you wherever you are in your creative journey. You just need an open heart and willingness to dive in. And if you’ve been journaling for a while, this retreat is for you, too! You’ll probably learn a few new things plus be surrounded by kindred spirits and have a chance to get away and play, recharge, and connect.

Some pieces that make this retreat special:

At Tell It, we'll gather in my delightful town of Tacoma, Washington. I can’t wait to connect with you in my corner of the world. Tacoma sits right along Puget Sound, has gorgeous views of Mount Rainier, and has beautiful forests that you often see in my photos. I’m so excited to share all my tips and ideas and give you so much inspiration (plus a few goodies) to take home with you.

We will begin with a dinner + gathering Wednesday evening, and then we will have three full days together that will include lots of time to dive into our journals. We’ll also explore a few of my favorite spots to gather up inspiration and photos for our journals including a park along Puget Sound and a fantastic art store where you can gather up more supplies to play with. Plus my family will be joining us for at least one meal and my daughter EJ has a few journaling tips she wants to share with you. We’ll end with a closing + dinner together Saturday evening.

At Tell It, you will:

PRACTICE AND LEARN ABOUT CREATIVE SELF-CARE

We'll spend time practicing and learning about creative self-care as we play with words, take some photos, get outside, and explore other forms of creative play and connection.

Connect with Like-Minded Kindreds

There will be time to tell your story and listen to the stories of others. Many of the dear souls who attend Be Present Retreats form friendships that last far beyond the retreat.

Dive INTO an art journaling practice

We will be filling up a journal with papers, paint, collage, writing, dreams, and so many other good things as I teach you some of my favorite journaling practices. (Workshop kit included!)

practice taking self-portraits

We will talk about and practice self-portraiture to create images you can add to your journals and have fun with. Self-portraits are such an incredible way to enrich your art journals and creative practices at home.

experience mindfulness in Sacred space

We'll slow down and experience a few mindfulness practices, create a community altar in the middle of our circle, and look at ways we can create space for the sacred in our daily live

Put Pen to paper and poem it out

I will also share some of my favorite poems and poetry prompts to help you put pen to paper and write the poems just waiting inside you. If this scares you just a bit, don’t worry. I’ve got you!

your retreat tuition includes

Note: The Spring Retreat has been cancelled. A fall retreat is being planned and will hopefully be announced soon.

There are just 10 spots available at the Tell It Retreat with 8 lodging spots in the house. Information and lodging options are below. Before the retreat, I'll share a suggested supply list for the workshops you'll be experiencing this retreat (however your journal and many other supplies will be provided) + other things you might need for a trip to the Pacific Northwest. I'll also be bringing my vintage suitcases full of creative goodies and supplies for you to have fun with. 

*Meals include: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 3 dinners. One dinner will be on your own at your choice of one of the recommended nearby restaurants (though we may all decide to go as a group).

GF and vegetarian options will be provided at every meal (if requested). Please share any food allergies on the registration form and we will take those into consideration (as much as possible) when planning meals and snacks. If you have food concerns, I will communicate with you as we get closer to the retreat so you can decide where you might need to supplement based on your individual needs. 

Tacoma

We'll gather in an updated historic Craftsman home in Tacoma, Washington in a neighborhood close to the University of Puget Sound and walking distance to a great coffee shop. It will be cozy and lots of fun to all be together during this time of year in my hometown. I can’t wait to show you some of my favorite spots. Plus so many things will be in bloom this time of year! During the weekend, we will head to the water and the forest (weather permitting) to explore and take photos. We’ll go to a few of my favorite places in town, including one of my favorite art stores in the whole world!

Lodging

There are just a handful of rooms available for lodging. Including 2 private bedrooms, 2 shared bedrooms with two beds for two people, and a sleeping nook with 2 twin beds. 

LOCAL? There is also a rate for locals who want to just attend our group gatherings and workshops. See more info below.

Other Lodging

There are several other lodging possibilities in Tacoma. Favorites include: Hotel Murano, Silver Cloud Inn (which is right on the water), and Courtyard by Marriott. Airbnb is an option (just contact me if you’d like to know more info about neighborhoods).

Note that the nearest airport is SeaTac which is between Seattle and Tacoma (this is the main Seattle airport). Depending on traffic it’s 30-45 minutes from Tacoma. Transportation is not provided. There will be a private Facebook group for participants who want to connect ahead of time about renting cars together and carpooling etc. The retreat house will open at around 4:00 PM on Wednesday, and we need to leave the house by about 10 AM on Sunday. 

Notes on accessibility: The main house is two stories, our gatherings will be held on the first floor. Bedrooms are on both floors. There are two short sets of stairs into the home (about 6 steps each). It is not wheelchair accessible. Chairs will be available for group gatherings/workshops. Please send over any questions about accessibility.

This retreat is for you if:

• You need to create some space in your life and want a safe container to nourish yourself.

• You're longing for some time with kindreds.

• You love getting to the good stuff in conversation and being with people who are willing to go deep is your jam.

• You’ve been longing to play in a journal, start, or continue an art journal practice, and you want to learn some tips and get inspired.

• You've been stuck trying to find a self-care rhythm or need a reboot and are open to making some changes.

• You enjoy writing, making, tapping into the creative soul inside you (or you've been longing to).

• You are in The And Space of the beauty and the grit and you want to learn and experience ways to navigate that space.

• You're open to a bit of woo woo, and oracle cards, essential oils, and evenings lit by candles make you happy (or at least curious).

• You want to breathe deeply, laugh widely, and open your heart to the magic that arrives in a circle of kindreds.

This retreat is probably not for you if:

• You're looking for a spa-like or solitary experience. This retreat includes a lot of time in community in shared spaces. However, INTROVERTS - I've got you! There will be time to rest and recharge away from the group.

• You're expecting a vacation in the sun (it rains in the Pacific Northwest - and rain gear may be needed, though we do tend to get more sun this time of year).

• You're experiencing something in your personal life that needs more support than can be given in this environment. I am not a certified therapist. While the activities we will do might feel therapeutic, they are not in place of therapy or other professional support. Feel free to get in touch if you have questions about this.

• You're hoping for a business retreat about how to run a retreat or online business. While I'll be available for some conversation on these topics, they will not be covered in our group experiences or workshops.

And dear one, please get in touch with any questions. I can't wait to circle with you in just a few months! This is going to be so magical.