Reflecting on the Transformative January 2024 Lume Retreat
Unveiling the Magic of Our Life-Changing Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains
BY LUME COLLECTIVE
Reflecting on the Transformative January 2024 Lume Retreat
Unveiling the Magic of Our Life-Changing Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains
BY LUME COLLECTIVE
How do you capture in words an experience that has profoundly changed your life?
This question lingers in the air, heavy with the weight of countless memories and emotions that seem almost too vast to confine within the bounds of language. Yet, here we are, attempting to do just that—to distill the essence of our retreat into words that might, just maybe, touch the surface of its impact.
We often embark on journeys not fully knowing the transformation they might bring. Our retreat was one such journey—a gathering that promised rest, connection, and perhaps a spark of enlightenment. What we didn't anticipate was the depth of transformation, the profound healing, and the unbreakable bonds that would emerge. This was more than just a weekend away from it all; it was an experience that redefined our understanding of ourselves and each other.
A single blog post cannot encapsulate everything. But what follows is our heartfelt attempt to convey the magic that unfolded, to share a glimpse of a journey that was, for each of us, nothing short of life-changing.
How do you capture in words an experience that has profoundly changed your life?
This question lingers in the air, heavy with the weight of countless memories and emotions that seem almost too vast to confine within the bounds of language. Yet, here we are, attempting to do just that—to distill the essence of our retreat into words that might, just maybe, touch the surface of its impact.
We often embark on journeys not fully knowing the transformation they might bring. Our retreat was one such journey—a gathering that promised rest, connection, and perhaps a spark of enlightenment. What we didn't anticipate was the depth of transformation, the profound healing, and the unbreakable bonds that would emerge. This was more than just a weekend away from it all; it was an experience that redefined our understanding of ourselves and each other.
A single blog post cannot encapsulate everything. But what follows is our heartfelt attempt to convey the magic that unfolded, to share a glimpse of a journey that was, for each of us, nothing short of life-changing.
I've never held space for myself like this, let alone for fifteen other women. During our retreat, I fully immersed myself in every conversation, story, and the ritual of writing and reflection, experiencing a deep interconnectedness with other women at a soul level. It was transformative, unlocking a life force of energy that nourished and sustained me, leaving my heart wide open.
I crafted my writing prompts to serve as a gateway into the subconscious. By sharing the entirety of myself—the broken and the healed—I aimed to create a tone and vibration that would make others feel safe and comfortable exploring emotional spaces they might have previously feared. This experience wasn't just about healing; it was about unleashing our innate creativity, which has always been my path to healing. I'm so grateful to have connected with these women in such a profound way. Writing is truly powerful—it meets us where we are and guides us through to the other side of our becoming.
We started the weekend as strangers and left with friendships in full bloom. We shared grief, pain, and all that burdened us, creating space for our true, magnetic selves to emerge. We cried together, not alone, but held in the compassionate company of one another. It was a moment of being seen and feeling supported in ways I had never experienced before. We left feeling lighter, having shed our grief, and fuller, embracing the power we've always had but couldn’t access before.
Lume is more than just a women's retreat; it's a sanctuary for self-discovery, a place to be, to grow, and to genuinely connect with ourselves and other women. It was exactly what we needed, more than any of us knew.
-Jessy Easton
I've never held space for myself like this, let alone for fifteen other women. During our retreat, I fully immersed myself in every conversation, story, and the ritual of writing and reflection, experiencing a deep interconnectedness with other women at a soul level. It was transformative, unlocking a life force of energy that nourished and sustained me, leaving my heart wide open.
I crafted my writing prompts to serve as a gateway into the subconscious. By sharing the entirety of myself—the broken and the healed—I aimed to create a tone and vibration that would make others feel safe and comfortable exploring emotional spaces they might have previously feared. This experience wasn't just about healing; it was about unleashing our innate creativity, which has always been my path to healing. I'm so grateful to have connected with these women in such a profound way. Writing is truly powerful—it meets us where we are and guides us through to the other side of our becoming.
We started the weekend as strangers and left with friendships in full bloom. We shared grief, pain, and all that burdened us, creating space for our true, magnetic selves to emerge. We cried together, not alone, but held in the compassionate company of one another. It was a moment of being seen and feeling supported in ways I had never experienced before. We left feeling lighter, having shed our grief, and fuller, embracing the power we've always had but couldn’t access before.
Lume is more than just a women's retreat; it's a sanctuary for self-discovery, a place to be, to grow, and to genuinely connect with ourselves and other women. It was exactly what we needed, more than any of us knew.
-Jessy Easton
There’s a reason you hear people talk about how transformative retreats can be.
Whether it’s a weekend or a day or a week long, taking that time out of your normal day to day, to connect with others and go deep with yourself, it’s soul nourishing to see what can come from an experience like this.
I’ve been trying to put into words how beautiful and transformative our retreat was and I’m having trouble finding the right words to describe how potent it was for me.
I’ve been a part of and organized close to 100 retreats in the last 10 years and this was my second retreat that I co-hosted (not to mention our very first Lume Collective retreat) and to say it changed me is an understatement.
Every time I get the honor to co-create a space like this for women to come together and share their truths, and to show up in community and for themselves, it cracks my heart open in the best way and reminds me that this work is what lights my soul up. This sacred space, these sacred connections, it’s such a gift and I feel so blessed to be doing this work alongside some really incredible women.
It’s nothing short of f*ing magical to witness the transformation of strangers coming in one day and leaving with brand new friendships and connections less than 48 hours later. Like watching a garden bloom with the most beautiful flowers.
-Molly Bush
I was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the presence of the incredible women who joined us on our very first Lume Retreat. They not only saw me, but also saw themselves and each other in a way that was simply inspiring. Creating a safe and welcoming space for these women to relax and enjoy themselves made me feel at home in my role as a host. I felt present and attentive, able to listen and hear the stories of those around me. I was moved by the experiences and emotions shared, and I felt compelled to comfort and empower these women so they could leave with a renewed sense of strength.
Part of my role as a host was creating the menu and taking care of the food for the entire weekend. Every aspect of the meals served during the retreat were carefully thought out, from the fresh and vibrant ingredients to the presentation of each dish. The act of serving each woman at the table and then collecting their empty plates was a continuous display of care and devotion from Jessy, Molly, and I. Many of the women mentioned that they rarely experience service in their daily lives—their meals are often rushed and eaten on the go. I felt a lot of joy to have brought back a slower practice around meal times and to highlight the beauty that eating and nourishing yourself can be.
The one-on-one portrait sessions I held were intimate and personal, filled with heartfelt conversations over cups of tea. I created a space for each woman to open up and share their emotions and release any burdens they were carrying. Through simple yet impactful questions, my intention was to capture their inner essence and beauty. My hope is that these portraits will always serve as a tribute to feeling whole, to feeling seen in your own beauty, and to stand in your power. I want the women I photograph to see themselves through my lens, not as a subject but as a work of art to be admired and celebrated.
-Briana Autran
