Saying Yes to Adventure

a writers retreat in Italy

Hello friend! My name is Amy. I am so happy you have stopped by ✨ If you are new here, a warm welcome to you! This space is where I meander through midlife, connecting to my true self through the seasonal shifts and simpler living, and seeking my inner wise woman. If you are also on this path and looking for someone to walk gently beside you, I see you and am here. Let’s color outside the lines together.

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“Italy offers one the most priceless of one’s possessions - One’s own soul” Barbara Grizzuti Harrison

For many reaching middle age is a time of reckoning. A re-evalutation of all we have accomplished and what we have yet to do. It is also a time that can leave us frozen, overwhelmed by the thought of what should we do next? Undoubtedly some of these feelings can be attributed to perimenopause; it is a time of hormonal flux that can leave us feeling stymied.

So I asked myself…Am I ready to come out of my comfort zone? What happens if I open my heart to a new adventure?

The resounding yes that bubbled up as my response led me to a weeklong writers’ retreat in Tuscany. I have just returned and I have got to say that taking the leap, and going on that trip was the best medicine for my soul.

Spending time with 10 other women from around the world who also bounded forward into something new was a gift. The weather ebbed and flowed much as my senses did while taking in the beauty around me. As the sun came out from behind the periodic clouds the bright warmth reflected on the Tuscan hills and it was like light coming through a stained glass window; colorful yet diffused with a softness that set me at ease.

This time was equal parts learning and immersing myself into the landscape. The sights and sounds giving new depth to what I was putting onto paper. We laughed until we cried, sang, cooked together, went on day trips together, and got down to the business of honing our skills in ways that expanded our knowledge and creativity.

Having come through a few years peppered with both great joys and tremendous losses and the fact that I was able to share this experice with a dear friend has given me perspective. In the coming days, once I’ve had time to fully digest the experience, I’ll be sharing more about the adventures we had and maybe even a few snippets as I begin to write my memoir (big scary goal) ✨ A huge thank you to Rosie Meleady who led the inspiring retreat!

Until next time,