There’s something sacred about stepping away.
In the rush of our everyday lives, we rarely give ourselves permission to pause. We push through fatigue, ignore the quiet whisper that says “slow down,” and convince ourselves that rest is something we’ll “get to later.” But in my own journey — both personally and in working with women — I’ve learned that later often never comes unless we draw a firm line in the sand and make space for it.
That’s why retreat days have become so important to me. They aren’t just an event on a calendar. They’re a deep exhale. They’re a chance to reset the pace and remember who we are when the noise dies down.
The First Time I Felt the Power of a Retreat
I remember the first retreat day I attended many years ago. I went because I thought I “should” — it seemed like a nice thing to do, and I liked the sound of fresh scones and a quiet room. But what I didn’t expect was the way my shoulders physically dropped within the first hour. My phone stayed tucked away, and for once, there was no laundry pile calling me or inbox waiting for replies.
I walked away from that day feeling like my soul had been rinsed clean. And I thought, We all need this more than we realise.
Why Retreat Days Matter
A retreat day is not about escaping your life. It’s about returning to it with a clearer mind and a fuller heart. It’s about giving yourself the gift of unhurried time — to think, to breathe, to listen.
When we step away from routine, something shifts. We see our challenges with fresh eyes. We notice the beauty in our own story. And in a faith context, we often hear God’s voice more clearly, because we’ve finally turned down the volume on everything else.
I think about Jesus, who often withdrew to quiet places to pray. He knew the value of stepping aside, even when the needs around Him were great. If He made space for retreat, how much more do we need to?
Who Are They For?
When I plan retreat days, I picture a few different women:
- The woman who is running on empty and can’t remember the last time she truly rested.
- The woman who is in a season of transition and needs space to process her next step.
- The woman who loves gathering with others but longs for conversations that go deeper than the surface.
- The woman who wants to reconnect with her health, faith, and creativity but feels too busy to start.
Retreat days are for anyone who needs to slow down enough to hear their own heart again.
The Darling Downs as a Backdrop
There’s a reason I hold these days in the beautiful Darling Downs. There’s something grounding about being surrounded by open skies, rolling fields, and fresh air that feels like it’s been bottled straight from heaven.
The landscape does half the work for us — just arriving and seeing the view can soften even the most wound-up mind. It reminds us that the world is bigger than our to-do list.
Tea, Food, and Conversation as Ministry
When we sit down to blend herbal tea or share a freshly prepared meal, it’s more than just a practical activity. It’s ministry in motion. The tea-making becomes a symbol of care — each herb chosen with intention, each blend a reminder that God works through the natural things He’s made. The cooking demonstration becomes an invitation to nourish ourselves well, both physically and spiritually.
And the conversation? That’s often where the real work happens. When we share stories and listen without distraction, we knit our lives together in small but powerful ways. It’s not a “women’s circle” in the trendy sense — it’s a gathering of sisters, creating space for God’s peace to fill the room.
What I’ve Seen Happen in These Spaces
I’ve watched strangers arrive quietly and leave laughing like old friends.
I’ve seen tears fall in moments of honesty, followed by the kind of gentle silence that feels safe.
I’ve heard women say, “I didn’t realise how much I needed this” — sometimes in surprise, sometimes with a bit of wonder.
And for me, as the one hosting, I never walk away unchanged. Even when I’m tired from the preparation, there’s a deep satisfaction in seeing people breathe easier. I think that’s the mark of a day well spent.
It’s Not About Perfection
These days aren’t glossy, magazine-perfect events. There’s no pressure to dress up or be anyone you’re not. They’re about showing up as you are and trusting that you’ll leave a little lighter.
Sometimes we have quiet moments of prayer. Sometimes we have belly laughs over a cooking mishap. Both are equally valuable.
Making Space for What Matters
In the end, retreat days are about more than the schedule or the location. They’re about making a choice to pause and realign. They’re a physical reminder that our worth isn’t tied to productivity, and that caring for our body and spirit is not indulgent — it’s necessary.
When we invest in that kind of rest, it spills over. We return home more patient with our families, more focused in our work, and more anchored in our faith.
Final Thought
If you’ve never been part of a retreat day, I encourage you to find one that resonates with you — whether it’s mine or someone else’s. And if you have, you’ll know what I mean when I say: sometimes, the best thing you can do for the people you love is to step away for a little while.
Because when you return, you don’t just come back — you come back different.
