Let me explain…
Back in early 2023, when I joined my dear friend Ivana in rubbing the spark plugs together on Courageous Being, I knew she was from Croatia and often traveled back home to see family. Then one day, during one of our Zoom calls, she said the words:
“A women’s retreat… in CROATIA”.
My first thought? “How cool, for a group of women to come together in a whole other country!”
My second thought? “Wait… what even is a retreat?” I’d only ever heard about retreats as escapes or resets, where people do lots of yoga and try to “find themselves”. A little embarrassed by how little I knew about them, I listened as Ivana shared more about what the Rest and Receive® retreat in Croatia would be like.
This wasn’t your typical yoga-heavy, journal-in-the-woods, maybe-try-ashwagandha kind of things (yes, that was the extend of my retreat knowledge, lol).
This was different.
This was about women connecting. Exploring. Resting. Filling our own cups back up, with love, laughter, and sisterhood.
It sounded amazing. But still, I figured Ivana would go host the retreat… and I’d stay behind holding things down stateside.
Never in a million years did I think I’d actually be going on this adventure.
Busy home life. A blended family with three kids. Football schedules. How would my family feel about this? And my cat! Oh, my cat. Who would take care of my Leroy if I left for two weeks?! I had a million reasons to say no.
But… I kept saying yes.
And, my family encouraged me to go. I was met with “we’ll be okay, we got it, don’t worry”. Leroy the cat didn’t bat an eye when I told him, can you believe it?
Before I knew it, the retreat had dates. Plans became more concrete. A whole itinerary was put together. Flights were booked. Things were getting real. Ivana, who knows her homeland Croatia like the back of her hand, guided me and the other women journeyers, through every step with ease. Answered every question. Squished any doubt. There was no backing out now. I was really going to Croatia.
Say what?!
Sure, I’d traveled the US… family trips (never a girl’s trip - though, it had always been a silent wish to), and mostly for our kids’ football tournaments. But going out of the country? With a group of women, most of whom I didn’t even know?
Whew, it was a lot to take in. And even with flights booked and everything lined up, the realness of it all didn’t fully hit me until I saw the plane at JFK. This wasn’t the JetBlue or Delta or United I was used to… this was Lufthansa.
There were no non-stop flights to Croatia, so I was headed to Germany first. That was another first for me. First time out of the country, and first layover!
My location on “Find My iPhone” was on for all my family to see. I was traveling far… and alone.
But I was ready. I was uncertain but confident. Free. Excited. Alive.
The transfer from Germany to Croatia went without a hitch. On the flight, I sat next to the sweetest older couple. We didn’t speak the same language, but kindness is universal. Their smiles and warmth instantly put me at ease.
Arriving in Croatia was nothing short of magical. I was met with signs from all over reminding me I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Signs that empowered me to keep going, despite fears. I felt stronger than ever.
Meeting the other retreaters on the first night at dinner felt like a deep exhale. All the mind-squabbing I’d built up like “Will they like me? Will it be awkward? Do I even belong here?” … all went out the window. There was an immediate connection. These women, from different generations, places, walks of life. We just got each other.
Despite our outward differences… stories, styles, backgrounds… we shared something deeper: the same feelings, challenges, struggles, a longing to be seen and understood. This was the sisterhood I craved heading into my forties but didn’t know how to find. And for once, there was no outside noise to interrupt any of it. No hustle and bustle, no emails, no kids, no spouses, no pets, no bills, no nothing. We could enjoy being in the company of one another in this beautiful foreign land.
From the first night on, we lived our butts off in Croatia. We laughed, we danced, we ate, we shopped, we walked, we cried, we swam, we rested. Sometimes we did everything, sometimes we did nothing. Both were sacred.
There are so many little moments that changed me on that trip. I will share a few:
Lavender – It grows in abundance in Croatia. There is nothing like walking and catching a surprise whiff of it. I now keep sachets on sachets and fresh lavender in several pots at home. It’s my love language, for real.
Live Music – I remember a man playing on the accordion in a square – I was so present and at peace in that moment. I felt every note. I clung to his voice as he sang.
Coffee – The best. And often. Day or night. That’s it. KEY memory. Sorry Starbucks, Croatia wins.
Swimming in the Adriatic Sea, Rovinj – For once in my life, I wasn’t worried about how I looked in my bathing suit. I felt one with the sea. It was so inviting and so clear. The clarity of the water cleared my mind, too. The sea taught me how to love myself.
Pomegranates – Growing wild. Heavy and full. And I thought, wow. We don’t always have to carry it all. Sometimes we’re the branches. Sometimes we’re the fruit.
The Funicular in Zagreb. A short ride brought us to the top of the town – awesome views! My inner child really enjoyed this.
This was so much more than a trip away.
It was a release, and a returning to self.
It made me realize that everyone needs this kind of space.
Time away. Time for herself. Time to feel new air and hear her own thoughts.
Traveling solo (but surrounded by other women) showed me how capable I really am.
It pushed me to speak up, to take up space without guilt, to follow curiosity.
And women’s retreats are not luxuries, more like essential.
We give so much of ourselves every day.
This… this was a rare chance to receive.
To be seen. Encouraged. Uplifted.
To remember that we are not alone.