Create Space for Play, Connection & Creativity

Sun, Oct 25 · 1pm–8pm · 50 minutes north of Seattle · 12 spots

$188 Early Bird · $265 Full Price Early Bird ends 10/9 - use code "EARLYBIRD" at checkout.

You used to color outside the lines without thinking twice. Somewhere along the way, making things became something only "real artists" did. And the voice that says i don't have any ideas got louder than the part of you that just wants to play.

A professor of mine once asked our class to raise our hands if we thought we were creative. After a few of us did, he said, "if you didn't raise your hand, you're wrong."

I've believed that ever since. We're all creators. Every time you try a new recipe, pick up a puzzle or start a hobby, that's creativity, even if you've never called it that. What blocks us isn't a lack of talent. It's the shame and pressure we put on ourselves to be good at it.

This day is about turning that voice down. You don't need a skill or a plan here, and nothing you make has to be good. You get an afternoon of slow movement, open-ended making, deep rest and good people, 50 minutes from Seattle on 5 quiet acres.

This is for you if:

• you call yourself "not creative," but you miss making things

• you're a business owner or creative who feels burnt out, stressed and out of ideas

• you're craving rest that isn't scrolling on the couch

• you want to meet people who care about slowing down too

  
  

What you'll leave with:

You won't leave as a trained painter. You'll leave more willing to follow a creative impulse before your inner critic talks you out of it.

You'll have practiced:

• being a beginner without apologizing for it

• following what pulls you in without needing to know where it's going

• letting "mistakes" lead somewhere new instead of starting over

• paying attention, and noticing what actually delights you

"The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention."

— Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way

Retreat Agenda:

1:00, arrive slowly. Tea, a wander around the land, settling in.

1:15, opening circle. Introductions and setting an intention for the day.

2:00, gentle movement. A slow, all-levels chakra balancing yoga flow. When any chakras are out of balance, it can impact our ability to create. We'll move, observe, and become aware of what chakra might need the most attention.

3:00, creative play. An open supply table: textures, canvasses, paint, hot glue gun, magazines. The goal is for you to follow your intuition & explore, without aiming for perfection or letting that critical voice sneak in.

4:30, nourish. A plant-based meal.

5:30, sound bath with Riya. Lie down and soak in the frequencies and sound waves from Riya's sound bath.

6:30, sauna, hot tub and fire pit. Free time to soak, talk or sit quietly.

7:30, closing circle. What you noticed, and what you're taking home.

Timing may shift a little as the day comes together.

Why I'm hosting this

Painting, yoga, coloring books, hot glue and making spell jars taught me to trust the process, learn from mistakes, and find answers within my soul I couldn't have forced from my mind. My artistic process is all about being willing to begin badly & have some fun!

&, of course, I want to share that with you!

FAQs

• Do I need to be artsy? No, that's the point.

• What should I bring? A yoga mat, journal, yourself!

• Is it okay to come alone? Yes! It's encouraged!! Let's make new friends <3

• Is it a women's only event? No - every gender is welcome.

  
  

Meet Your Hosts

Amanda Grover

Yoga teacher and the storyteller behind Storytellers Grove. Women's circles are what led her into building a creative life, and she's been making rooms where people can put the performance down ever since. She believes you're far more interesting than your job title, and she'd like to hear about the rest of it.

Riya Gupta

The heart behind Zen Den Retreats, five wooded acres near the Centennial Trail with a salt-wall sauna, a hot tub under cover, and a fire pit that's seen a lot of good conversation. Her sound baths are the reason people stay on the floor long after the last bowl goes quiet.