I wish I could bottle up the experience I just had of being part of a community of beautiful souls who have agreed to commit to one another and ourselves to ten months of meeting once a week to explore one another's journey into our creative woods, where we dive into our individual creative processes, share our artistic endeavors, and support each other's growth.
Our meet-and-greet was a powerful testament to our collective courage. Each of us, with vulnerability, shared a glimpse of our stories. It was a moment of inspiration, a display of our shared commitment to growth.
Tears were shed, and I was humbled by each individual's transparency and raw honesty.
I clearly saw the importance of getting to know others and not isolating ourselves from the world. I get it. The pain of getting hurt, feeling different, not being listened to, or feeling rejected can cause anyone to isolate.
Especially as a creative, it can be a very isolating and lonely space.
That's why I am so grateful to have found and be a part of The Creator Writers Retreat Cohort created by my amazing new friend
.
Today, I witnessed the profound power of the magick of storytelling and what can happen when a group of like-minded people come together for a shared purpose. It doesn't matter if the story is similar or vastly different from your own. When you hear someone else's journey, it becomes a part of yours. Their resilience softens your heart, ignites compassion, and fosters a desire to open up.
Validation is a healing balm. When someone hears your story without judgment, it's a powerful affirmation. It's the recognition we all crave, the simple act of being seen and heard.
This creative, explorative journey I have decided to embark upon was presented to me once I set the intention that I would no longer stay in hiding from myself and others.
It had been a long time since I had consciously decided to close myself off from meeting new people and barely staying open to my close circle of friends. Some friendships that I was very close to had wounded my heart. The experience completely blindsided me, so I decided to retreat inward. As an introvert who prefers 1:1 connection, I had no emotional capacity to embrace new people. So, for a very long time, I retreated. It became a necessary time of self-reflection, healing, and learning to set boundaries.
Writing became my sanctuary, saving grace, and spiritual practice. As I wrote more, I understood it was okay to say no and not always be the listener. I also deserved the same attention that I gave to others, of being poured into. I thought that's what my value was—staying the giver, and that's enough. It became clear what I was no longer willing to accept and how I deserved to be treated.
As I emerge from that season of my life, I have come to recognize more deeply what being in a relationship and community means and the importance of reciprocity. Today, I saw and experienced that with this beautiful group of humans. You know and recognize when you are truly being seen and heard with zero judgment, and that's what I felt and witnessed today. Everyone should feel that. It is our human rite of passage.
The Creator Writers Retreat is the forest I am happily running into!
Community is so important not only for allowing us to be see but for us to allow ourselves to see others. To see ourselves in other’s struggles or successes. Though they may be different it allows us to live with compassion and grace for each other.
I am so glad you are a part of The Creator Retreat!
I'm so honored that we got to have a chat together, and you really made me feel seen and heard. You have to me what I do often give to others and that has been a precious gift to me. Especially after reading this it feels like even more of a gift.