Two weeks ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone and onto a plane to Costa Rica for a retreat hosted by my mentor, Becca Nicholls. Let me tell you, this trip wasn’t just a getaway—it was a transformation. I went in hoping for inspiration and growth, but what I experienced was life-changing on a level I couldn’t have anticipated.

Now that I’ve had time to reflect, I want to share some of the most powerful takeaways from the retreat, along with the incredible activities we did that made it all so special.

Releasing Stored Emotions

One of the lessons I learned was how much our bodies hold onto past emotions. I feel like we know this and we are often told this, but we don’t realize just how much until we begin to release all that is stored.

During an emotions exploration workshop, I realized how liberating it is to release these emotions. It’s as though I’d been carrying invisible weights for years, and through breathwork and movement, I finally let them go. This process reminded me of the importance of listening to and honoring our bodies—something I’ll carry with me.

Presence and Gratitude

It’s easy to get caught up in chasing the next goal or the next thing on your to-do list, but during the retreat, I rediscovered the beauty of simply being present. Whether it was swimming in the infinity pool, dancing barefoot in the tree hut, or savoring the most delicious food, I felt completely in the moment.

Gratitude played a huge role in this, too. I realized: how can you expect to bring more abundance into your life if you’re not deeply thankful for what you already have?

The Power of Sisterhood

Being surrounded by such an empowering group of women was nothing short of magical. I’ve always known that the people you surround yourself with can elevate you, but this retreat brought that truth to life in the most beautiful way.

We had connection circles where we shared our stories, fears, and dreams, and I’ve never felt so seen and understood. The connections I formed during those moments are ones I’ll treasure forever.

Rewriting the Story About Emotions

Growing up, many of us are taught to suppress or avoid emotions. I’ve always been a very emotional person and can cry at the drop of a hat. But at this retreat I had a realization that crying is the way my body processes my emotions, whether it be anger, frustration, happiness, etc. I don’t just cry because I am sad.

I’ve always felt such shame for this and I never understood why I was like this. During our exploration of emotions, I learned to understand that emotions are not something to fear; they are a part of the human experience. Through practices like our sensual activation and ecstatic dance, I learned to embrace my emotions fully—the joy, the discomfort, the fear, and everything in between.

I left with the understanding that it’s okay to rewrite the story I’ve been told about emotions and to see them as guides instead of obstacles.

Discomfort Is Expansive

If I had to sum up the retreat in one phrase, it would be this: discomfort is expansive. From the moment I decided to go on this trip, I was stepping into the unknown—and it was scary!

Traveling out of the country to stay with a group of people that I had never met before was definitely out of my comfort zone. I did bring my bestie along with me to help ease some of the discomfort, but she had never done anything like this before either and I will admit that I was so scared that she would not enjoy her time there and I’d feel guilt for dragging her along. (Irrational fear, I know.)

During the weeks and days leading up to the trip, I had avoided talking about it in too much detail to those around me because I didn’t want others to put their fears about the experience onto me. I knew that going on a retreat in Costa Rica probably didn’t make a lot of sense to some people, but it felt right for me and I had to honor that. I’ve also been working with the woman who led the retreat (Becca) in mentorship for almost a year now, and I knew she’d never lead me astray.

On the other side of that fear was an experience I will truly never forget, with people that now hold such a special place in my heart.

Another uncomfortable experience I had there was jumping off a massive waterfall (despite my fear of heights). Its funny because I think I only did it because I had no idea what was going on the entire time leading up to the jump and once I was at the top, I didn’t really have a choice. To explain more, we were called to swim out to this tire in the middle of the waterfall lagoon and then when we reached the tire, they pulled us towards the waterfall and up to stay under it. I thought we were just trying to get closer to the waterfall until someone grabbed my hand and hoisted me up the side of the waterfall so I was suddenly rock climbing up the waterfall while being waterboarded by the stream. It was sensory overload and I really had zero time to even process what was happening until I was standing on the top of the waterfall. It was a crazy, exhilarating experience that I can actually say now, I would absolutely do again.

Each time I leaned into the discomfort I felt, I grew. It’s a reminder that the best things in life often lie just outside your comfort zone.

Embracing My Gift to the World

Through all the workshops, journaling, and self-discovery, I finally came to terms with something I’ve always known deep down and that is my offer to this world is my own enlightenment. During our Cacao Ceremony, I pulled a card that read the following:

Often times, I feel like a black sheep. I know I am similar to those around me in so many ways, but I also am very different. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking that being different was a bad thing and that because I was different, I was somehow unworthy of love, joy, happiness, etc. But being worthy of whatever it is, is not something that has to be earned, it is a birth right.

I’ve always wanted to serve as a light to others, and I think that is the reason behind so much of what I do in my professional and personal life. This retreat helped me see that this is my true purpose and to really own it. Not everyone will resonate with my path, and that’s okay. I’m here to be unapologetically myself, and I hope to inspire others to do the same.

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What We Did on the Retreat

The retreat itself was packed with incredible experiences, here’s a glimpse into what our days looked like:

• Emotions Exploration Workshop
• Breathwork
• Morning Movement
• Journaling and Self-Discovery
• Sensual Activation Workshop
• Ecstatic Dance – talk about feeling that discomfort…
• Cacao Ceremony
• Waterfall Excursion
• Swimming in the Infinity Pool
• Connection Time
• Photoshoot
• Sunset Pool Party

Moving Forward

Leaving Costa Rica, I felt like a new version of myself—lighter, brighter, and more aligned with my purpose. This retreat taught me lessons that will stay with me for a lifetime, and I’m so grateful to Becca and the incredible women who made it all possible.

If you’ve been considering stepping out of your comfort zone or investing in your growth, let this be your sign. Discomfort might feel scary, but it’s also where the magic happens. Trust me, the other side is worth it. <3

Some photos below 🙂