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Hi Reader,

I am currently in retreat prep mode as I finalize last minute details for the Hearth and Harvest Retreat this weekend. A dear friend is flying in today to cook nourishing meals and to provide logistical support throughout the retreat. I'm gathering up the art and magic supplies.

Every time I get to host an in person experience like this, my heart sings. I get those fizzy nerves of excitement, and know that something magical is going to happen.

I almost quit doing retreats entirely. I took a break after my mom died, then Covid happened, then had a couple of false starts. It felt like a lot of work and frustration for little return.

But one of my guiding principles in life is: Don't quit before the magic happens.

If I were truly done, like on a soul level, with running retreats, I'm guessing (based on other experiences), that the decision to quit, to end, would bring a sense of relief and space in my body.

When I seriously contemplated quitting, I felt a crushing heaviness, a sadness, and disconnect from my heart.

"Don't quit before the magic happens" isn't saying "never quit because something amazing will always happen". Rather, it's an invitation to check in with yourself on why you feel an impulse to quit.

It's an invitation into reflection, contemplation, and curiosity about where you are, what truly matters to you, what you feel called to, and what your current reality and circumstances are.

I knew I wasn't DONE done with retreats. But when I navigated through all my fears of failure, the parts that feel like I'm wrong and can't do anything right, and feeling lost and uncertain, what actually came up for me was, "Retreats are coming. It's not quite time yet - take some time to get more settled in your new location first. You'll know when it's time."

(Oh yeah I also made a major cross-country move?! Right, right right.)

So I knew I wasn't done with retreats. And when I started thinking about this one, and found an amazing place to do it, and shared the idea with a few people - it all came together quite quickly.

It was still work, of course. And, I knew it was time.

My whole experience with leading retreats (and running distance races, and writing a book, and doing so many other things) is a profound practice in letting things take the time they take.

As a fiery, millions-of-ideas LET'S GO human, my whole life is often about learning discernment and the difference between:
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➡ I'm procrastinating and avoiding this because I'm afraid of it or afraid of failing at it - let's address that​
➡ I did the initial work but now I need to learn something or grow my capacity to continue or finish it - and that will take time and there will be a messy middle​
➡ This is genuinely something that isn't for me anymore - and it's time to pivot​
➡ My current season of life is asking for something different of my focus - but this thing still matters and will come back around
​➡ It's time to do the thing - and other priorities may need to shift because of it

When I slow down enough to understand which phase I'm in with any given project, goal, dream, or desire, it takes sooooo much pressure off.

Because I'm not trying to do everything at once.
I can tend to any fears I have about missing out or being too late.
I know I can bookmark an idea for later without having to drop what matters right now (see my graveyard of abandoned domain names).

And today? All of that means I'm finally back in retreat mode, creating magical gatherings for incredible humans and I am so grateful I didn't quit (even if I took a multi-year break).

So how about you?

What season of life are you in, and what are you prioritizing? Is it working for you?

Is there a project or dream you have going on right now (or something that's been on the back burner for awhile) that might need a gentle discernment audit?

What happens in your body when you think about it? (Whether that's starting it, continuing it, changing it, quitting it?)
What stories do you have about it?
What expectations and judgements do you have about any phase of it?
What next step in any direction would energize you and create some space?

And if you want to share? My inbox is open 💌
I read and reply to every message.

Love,
Kate

PS: Want to be the first to know about future retreats? Click here to get on the Retreat Interest List.

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