As we are heading into a new month, I want to share the final 3rd part in my series following our retreat to Eden Forest CIC at the beginning of October.
This time I want to talk about the human connection created from this event, so much so that the Whats App group is still going strong, with new photos being added of time out in nature or spent on creative activities – we are all keen to keep the magical experience going.
Originally this event started out as an extension of the work that we do with our WOW Team, a small business accountability group, that Clair and I set up over 4 years ago. We always want to keep our ideas fresh and add value within this group, and so the idea to have a more focussed well-being afternoon was born.
However we did receive interest from outside the group too, so in the end 3 other people joined us – 2 friends of mine, one who I’d never met in person and one complete ‘stranger’, although she wasn’t a stranger for long!
The camaraderie and support amongst the WOW group is fantastic, and they welcomed these new ladies with open arms, and I think working on new activities, that most people hadn’t tried before, added to that bonding experience as they learned together and laughed at their own efforts!
Just spending some quality time together, away from our homes and business environments meant that people chatted about different things. I learned new things about our members too, for example Rachael’s Swedish family connections, and the knowledge she had about how people took part in these kinds of crafts, such as the spoon whittling, regularly out there.
Despite some original slight nerves from the people who didn’t know the group as well, they soon melted away as we explored the woodlands together and settled into the space and the activities.
Food always connects people, and there were many an Ooo and an Ahh as the huge stone baked pizzas we created came out of the giant oven!
By the time we got to the end of the day, and got stuck into the coaching / journaling session around the fire, our group felt comfortable enough to share that they found this challenging (in a good way) and how that it was quite a revealing exercise.
Talking about our small or larger dreams can feel scary saying it out loud to other people, but what if it actually came true? The more we talk about these things to others, the more it fires up our consciousness to focus on the dream in hand, breathing life into it – and who is to say it couldn’t happen? It’s both exciting and a bit nerve-racking at the same time.
The retreat brought this great bunch of people together, and made us all realise, as busy mums, and business owners, how much we really needed this, - we needed time and space to reconnect with nature, ourselves and each other, and what I love is that the legacy of the retreat will carry on forming deeper connections as we get to know new things about each other via the conversations going on in the Whats App group, and hopefully future meet-ups and events.
Plus the new ladies are considering joining WOW Team, which I’m sure is due to the warmth of the group, being made to feel very welcome and the new connections they made on the day.
And finally, not only was it our group that strengthened their relationships but of course with our lovely hosts too, Adam and Kay. Getting to know them more and understanding their motivation, passion, and purpose around what they have created at Eden Forest CIC, in turn filled us with inspiration and appreciation of our natural surroundings. Their knowledge and enthusiasm was infectious and made the afternoon extra special.
I know we will return to this beautiful place again, so watch this space for more retreat plans as Clair and I loved all the elements – the place and space, and the creative and this human connection all had equal importance and made it such a heart-warming event that we will all remember for a long time…
Now the colours of Autumn are turning deeper, as has my connection to my favourite of seasons, and I firmly believe that our participants will prioritise being outdoors more, thanks to spending time in Eden Forest.
Until next time, you’ll find me staring upwards from under the trees and marvelling at the rich contrasts in the canopies, we are so lucky to have these changes of seasons in the UK!
Juliet x