This December, I attended a one-day retreat in Sonoma organized by incredible people who created The Gathering.
The main idea behind the Gathering is that time is our most valuable asset, and when it is spent with intention, transformation follows. Jessica and Merissa, two co-founders of The Gathering, designed immersive day retreats to give guests the concentrated experiences and insights they need to live aligned, impactful lives without sacrificing their weekends.
They intentionally planned these retreats for “working days” of the week because taking a day off when your kids are in school or daycare is much easier than during the weekends when family activities are completed. That’s how 10 moms from different walks of life gathered at a gorgeous ranch on a Friday morning to connect, recharge, rest, and maybe open our eyes to “another way to a waterfall.”
The retreat we all attended is called “Rebirth.” We experienced a peaceful and deeply relaxing container that held space for a day full of healing, support, and reflection. With experts in maternal mental health, mindfulness, and intuitive parenting as your guides, you will leave the day with a fuller cup, a more compassionate mindset toward yourself, and maybe even a few new friends.
Start the Day Before to Slow Down and Rest
I started the trip the day before to fully embrace the Rebirth retreat because solo trips are my way to decompress from being a mom to a kindergartener [on top of everything else that life throws at me these days].
On Thursday, I left my 5-year-old child alone with my husband at home in San Francisco, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, and skipped all the weekend traffic on my way to Sonoma.
Rest was the word of the evening.
I booked a room at a cute inn right in the center of the town. This way, I got to enjoy some peace, do some window (and actual) shopping without the crazy weekend crowds, have a wonderful dinner at the Girl and the Fig, and finish the night soaking in a spa bathtub in my room with a book.
On Friday morning, the Inn I stayed in treated me to a basket of delicious, freshly baked warm pastries delivered to my room so I could indulge in breakfast without worrying about crumbs in my bed. Muahaha 🙂
As the retreat was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., and since I cut down my commute time to only 8 minutes, as opposed to more than an hour of driving from SF if I undertook it the same day, I had some time for an extra soak in my fantastic bathtub and lazy checkout.
Retreat: Rebirth
The drive to the property where Rebirth took place was very relaxing. The view of the vineyards and the valley had me sneaking glances left and right as the car rose higher and higher on a narrow road.
At the gate, I was welcomed by one of the guides and directed to parking. After unpacking what I needed for the day (swimsuit, water bottle, warm socks), a golf cart whisked me down to a Boat House, where steaming tea and coffee were shared, along with introductions and lively discussions on the deliciousness of the pies baked by one of the participants.
Our day started with a short hike at a slow pace, allowing us to start connecting with nature and others around us. Our guides led us to a platform set up with soft pillows overlooking the valley. We gathered there to enjoy the sunshine and nature, explore ways we can open ourselves to our inner voices and wisdom through visualizations and moving meditation, and create a healing, safe space for everyone to be heard and seen just as they are.
In the afternoon, we were served a scrumptious lunch made from locally grown ingredients. The table arrangements and the food were created with so much love and care that we all had second and third servings. The conversations flowed freely, as this was time to connect and reflect. After we chatted for a bit, I departed into the most magical part of the property (at least in my opinion)…the heated pool and jacuzzi.
As the day progressed, one thread kept coming up—there is no one right way to parent the children, just as there is no one right way to get to a waterfall. We all have different experiences and perspectives that allow us to make the best choices as we help our children become incredible human beings. We just need to remember not to judge ourselves and others for the choices we make as we do our best every day.
The Gathering
The Gathering is more than just a one-day getaway idea. However, it can be just that to start if it’s been a while since you took a break.
If you are looking for people dedicated to improving maternal mental health, if finding a community where judgment is turned off, where you are accepted and witnessed the way you are is important to you – give them a try.
Worst case scenario – you will chill in a spectacular place, eat delicious food, and get a break from daily to-do lists. You might make new friends, try new things, and open yourself to new ideas that are not just about parenting. You know how to do that well already.
