My Becoming Retreat Experience: Connection, Confidence and Time for Me | Blog 115
Reflecting on my Becoming Retreat at Shoalhaven Heads: three nights of creativity, confidence and connection, plus an extra night just for me.
Retreat Group Photo
Introduction
I came home from the Becoming Retreat feeling so glad I had given myself this experience.
Three nights at Shoalhaven Heads in September 2026, surrounded by beautiful humans, with time to learn, space to be, create, talk about our businesses and enjoy being together.
We stayed at Bangalay Luxury Villas, which was such a beautiful place to spend those days.
I also booked an extra night, just for me. I wanted time to take everything in before heading home, and I am so glad I stayed.
There was plenty of excitement and fun, a quieter day when my energy dipped, and connections that have continued well beyond the retreat.
Here is a little of my experience.
Day One: A Surprise to Begin
We started at 3 pm on Monday, 7 September, with a mystery group activity. All we knew was that we might get a little dirty.
This was my first time meeting the other women and our retreat facilitator, Jessica Read. I was looking forward to getting to know everyone and finding out what had been planned.
Our surprise was a luxury clay experience. Such a fun way to begin.
We sat together creating, chatting and getting to know each other. I really enjoyed having something to do with my hands while the conversations began.
Sadly, two of my three creations broke on the journey home. I would have loved to keep them all, but I still enjoyed making them.
Fun and Confident
Later, we were asked to dress as the version of ourselves we wanted to become and share what that meant to us.
I wore a beautiful white dress, and my two words were fun and confident.
I want more fun in my life, and I want to feel confident showing up as myself. It felt lovely to give those words some attention and share them with the group.
I would love to know what words you would choose for yourself. Send me a DM if you feel like sharing.
That evening, we had dinner at Bangalay restaurant. The meal was amazing. Honestly, so good.
Beautiful food and lovely company made for a wonderful first night.
Day Two: A Beach Walk and Time to Think and Much More
Tuesday began with a walk on the beach, followed by a morning session about confidence.
I appreciated having time to sit, listen and think about my business. At home, my attention is often moving between different things: family, work and housework. Here, I could give these conversations my full attention.
A Letter to My Future Self
Before the photoshoot, we wrote a letter to ourselves one year from now, describing our lives as we would love them to be.
I really enjoyed this part.
It gave me time to think beyond my usual weekly plans and imagine what I would love to be doing and how I would like to feel.
I am curious to read that letter again in September 2027 and see what has unfolded. I have already put this in my calendar.
Jess gifted us beautiful feather earrings made by Rebecca, along with a journal, pen and chocolate. It felt so lovely to be a little pampered.
Feathers are often associated with freedom and lightness. For me, that felt fitting for our time at the Becoming Retreat, especially with my two words, fun and confident. A beautiful little reminder of how I want to feel, and of the women I shared those days with. I have not taken them off since coming back from the retreat which is a month today.
Photo Time with Melinda
After a yummy lunch came one of my favourite parts of the retreat: our photography session with the beautiful Melinda.
I don’t always think of myself as very photogenic, so I wasn’t sure how comfortable I would feel.
But Melinda made me feel so at ease. I relaxed, enjoyed myself and had so much fun.
She took individual photos of each of us, along with some group shots. I am grateful to have these photos to look back on and use in my business.
Conversations and Creating Content
Between photos, we had prompts to help us create content for Instagram or other platforms.
We talked about our gifts, who we want to help, the challenges they face and what might be getting in the way of our own goals.
For me, some of those conversations came back to mums, the amount we carry and the guilt that can come with making time for ourselves.
These are things I care about and want to keep talking about through my work.
Chloe (Photographer) was also capturing moments throughout the retreat. I love having little pieces of the experience to revisit, including the moments we might otherwise forget.
A Drink, a Chat and Dinner Together
Later, we spent time by the pools with a drink, snacks and a chat.
I really enjoyed this. We had time to continue our conversations and get to know each other without needing to move straight into another activity.
Chloe also shared tips for taking photos and videos on our phones. It was lovely to hear her ideas and have a few things to try myself.
We finished the day with dinner in the loft.
It had been such a full and beautiful day. I had enjoyed the photoshoot so much, and I loved having the evening to sit together over a meal.
Day Three: A Quieter Day for Me
Wednesday began with yoga on the lawn near the pools.
I also woke with a headache and felt a little flat.
Sometimes, after a day when I have felt really excited and full of energy, I notice a dip the following day. That was how I felt on Wednesday.
I was still happy to be there, but I didn’t have quite the same energy as the day before. That was part of my experience too.
The morning included learning and a group session, followed by lunch.
Later, we each had one-on-one time with Jess, Jada and Tegan to talk about our businesses. They each brought their own expertise, and we could ask questions or discuss whatever was on our minds.
I really valued this time. It was helpful to talk through my ideas and hear different perspectives while I had the space to consider them.
After our afternoon session, we decided to stay in for dinner rather than go out as planned.
Everyone was happy to enjoy another meal together in the loft. It felt like a lovely way to spend our final evening as a group.
Day Four: Breakfast and Goodbyes
Mukti and Jess
On Thursday morning, breakfast was collected from a café, and we ate together in the loft.
We had time for individual conversations with Jess, a few more photos and our goodbyes.
By then, we had shared so much over those three nights. Meals, ideas, conversations and plenty of moments together.
I was grateful I had come and had the chance to get to know these women.
An Extra Night, Just for Me
When the retreat finished, I stayed for another night.
I had wanted some time to take everything in before returning home, and this gave me exactly that.
I worked on a few ideas, enjoyed some quiet time and let myself move through the rest of the day at my own pace.
There was no full schedule to follow. Just a little space for me.
On Friday morning, I had a 90-minute massage booked before heading home.
What a beautiful way to finish my stay.
I really appreciated having that extra time. It gave me a chance to enjoy being there a little longer and think about everything we had explored.
The Connections That Have Continued
The relationships are one of the things I treasure most from this retreat.
I came home with ideas and beautiful photos, but also with people I am so glad I met.
Since then, I have secured six blog collaborations, taking us through to March 2027. I am looking forward to introducing these beautiful humans to you and sharing their stories and work.
If I hadn’t attended, those connections may not have happened.
I love that something which began with a conversation at the retreat is now becoming something we can share with you here.
Our time together at Shoalhaven Heads has finished, but those relationships are continuing.
Looking Back on My Retreat Experiences
I really enjoyed this experience.
The clay activity, my beautiful white dress, the beach walk, the photoshoot, the food and all the conversations. There is so much I am happy to have been part of.
A heartfelt thank you to Jess, Jada and (guess) Tegan for facilitating our time together, and to Melinda and Chloe for capturing it so beautifully.
And to Kara, Jess, Sarah, Rachel and Tanya, thank you for sharing those days with me. I am so glad we met.
I came home feeling grateful, with ideas to explore and connections I want to keep nurturing.
And those two words, fun and confident, are still with me.
The Beautiful Humans and Places Behind This Experience
If you would like to get to know the people and places mentioned in this blog, I have gathered their Instagram accounts here.
Next Blog out 18th of October, I love you to share with me what you like me to write about.
Retreat Group Photo
Live your life on purpose.
Until next time,
Mukti🤍
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