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    • Nurture
    • RETREATS
    • SERVICES
    • HARVEST TABLE DINNERS
    • BLOG
    • ABOUT
      • PRESS
      • TESTIMONIALS
      • PAST RETREATS
    • CONTACT
      • APPLY
    • RETREATS
    • SERVICES
    • HARVEST TABLE DINNERS
    • BLOG
    • ABOUT
      • PRESS
      • TESTIMONIALS
      • PAST RETREATS
    • CONTACT
      • APPLY

  • There's nothing like the unsteady whirl of energy There's nothing like the unsteady whirl of energy and emotion to make you feel like you are experiencing two worlds at once: the world you know and the developing world, which is full of the mystery of the unknown. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I struggle with the unknown. I want a map. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I want to feel like I'm on solid ground, not upside down in a world I no longer recognize. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ But I am reminded that every time life has gifted me with the unknown, it has gifted me with new perspectives; different colours of emotion that deepen my compassion for myself and others; a whole new palate of experience and wisdom to paint with creatively. It's shown me that the map is REVEALED, not provided. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ As we navigate this recent worldwide struggle, alongside the everyday up-and-down topography of our lives that exists in spite of what's happening globally, I think it's important to remember this: that the unknown can be an invitation to see things in a new way because the old ways will not work any longer. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Here's to the new ways, and, for those of us whose interests and livelihoods are already steeped in the creative study of holistic, trauma and privilege-informed, organic, self and co-regulatory areas of exploration, here's to sharing what we know with all whose hearts are beating uncertain right now. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ If you're struggling and need some ideas to connect with yourself with tenderness instead of fear right now, I'm a DM away. Love you as much as I love butter (ie: enough to tear up about it). ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 📷: @katiebenfeyphoto of @stephpellett demonstrating how we should be holding things right now: so, so tenderly. ❤️
    I call it the drop down. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I feel it i I call it the drop down. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I feel it in moments when I'm meditating and my breathing regulates, steady and slow. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I feel it a few songs in on the dance floor when I suddenly stop self-consciously responding to imaginary eyes on me and start responding to the music.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I feel it when the onions and garlic mingle with the aromatics in the base of a stew and a multitude of individual flavours become one dish, speaking the same language: delicious. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I feel it when I tell the truth or hear it, with the same amount of satisfaction as a seatbelt click in a crowded taxi: I am free to move forward, but held. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ It's the beauty of things responding to how things actually are, for their own sake, and the power of what is revealed and created as a result. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ It's also how I feel and what I observe taking place in others during Nurture. In the workshops, at the shared meals, in the in-between moments where peace reigns and your inner self starts to speak loud enough to hear again. The voice you recognize with misty eyes and swelling heart, like: hello again, you. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ It's quiet, but firm and tells you things, like: where to go next, what to say yes or no to, whom to confide in, what to grow and what to shed. It's remarkably kind and infinitely compassionate with exactly the right sense of humour to remind you life is hilarious, even in the sticky parts. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ When's the last time you heard this voice? When did you last drop down? ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ If this kind of inner communication is what you're after, an FYI that today is your last chance to hop on our retreat waitlist for first access to our Spring retreat (May 8-10th)! Link in bio with allllllll the info and to sign up :) ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ For my waitlist kindreds (the fact there's almost 50 of you for only 8 spots makes me emotional with gratitude 😭❤️): tomorrow morning at 11am, check your inboxes, then check your 'drop down' for that yes feeling. You know the one! We can't wait to welcome you to Nurture, where you'll meet new friends and your wise ol' self! ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 📷: @laurenkolyn_studio
    I think about the Nurture facilitators and their i I think about the Nurture facilitators and their intrinsic magic like 'creative perfume'. They share the essence of their beloved creative practices, informed by the core of who they are. In the sharing, their creative essence interacts with your own creative essence, and inspires new ways of thinking, seeing and interacting with the world around you.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Nurture workshops explore creativity as alchemy. I choose facilitators specifically for their own personal brand of magic so they can liberally sprinkle it on those attending, like creative fairy godmothers. I can’t wait for you to meet them!⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ My own creative essence is thinking about things in terms of flavour, scent and metaphor, so I thought it would be fun to introduce our Nurture Spring 2020 Team, as perfumes:⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Nicole Kagan @nicolekagan_art - hints of moss and forest acorn, dappled sunlight on bluebells, the 'new tree' smell of a twig snapped in Spring, ocean salt, copper⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Joy Asibey-Gabriel @joyasibeygabriel - wafts of macadamia nut, palm frond, amber, ripe papaya, summer morning dew on hibiscus flower⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Caitlin Jeffery @gentledecay - notes of molasses taffy, sour cherry IPA, cooling gingerbread, cedarwood, maple mulch, plum preserves made by a Polish grandmother⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Amber Ellis (our guest retreat photographer) @creatinglight.studio - lilac, white musk, ground coriander seeds in a mortar and pestle, bergamot and shortbread baked by a lover⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Stephanie Pellett (our beloved Nurture Creative Producer) @stephpellett - candy apple, summer sea spray, boyfriend sweater, lake pebble, peach blossom⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Intrigued? Our Spring retreat launches to our waitlist THIS FRIDAY, so grab a tea, get cozy and read our descriptive page with all the retreat details (and more about our magical team and the workshops they'll be hosting) via link in bio!⁠⠀ 📷: @laurenkolyn_studio
    Dear Steph, Dimple, Kate, Mira, Amber, & Mel, ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ This weekend I get to feed you at @stephpellett 's Foundery Retreat. I consider it the biggest honour to support the work you will be doing (under Steph's magical guidance) on your businesses, but also on your hearts. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I feel strongly that what you eat while you create matters. How will you and your ideas respond to the pleasure of eating together, away from screens and close to your intuition? To the dishes layered with flavour, texture, and just the right amount of whimsy? To the vegetables that echo the season - dishes that contain the whisper of Spring on the back of your palate, like you can taste your way to what is growing internally too? To the spices and secret ingredients (cardamom in the cilantro sauce! Melon where you're expecting tomato!) that are meant to remind you to think outside your own boxes? To the interactive elements of dipping and scooping and sprinkling and drizzling where the meal is a build-your-own-adventure on purpose because when we follow what WE want, serendipity follows? ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ You are all creating such incredible, life-affirming projects, products and companies. I know that the intentional focus you will invest in them this weekend will ripple out in all kinds of beautiful growth. You'll need energy to slay the inevitable Dragons of Resistance, or to step out of the Quicksands of Impostor Syndrome (these are real - I've been there). I'm going to be playing your fairy godmother in the kitchen, my whisk as my wand. I'm mixing in magic. I'm stirring up hope. I'm filling your bellies in support so you have the energy to get a taste of what you can do for the world. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Can't wait! ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ xo, ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Sonja⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ P: @katiebenfeyphoto
    My morning commute soundtrack was a @thisamerlife My morning commute soundtrack was a @thisamerlife podcast on "Delight" sent to me by @priyanka.saju because a) she's the best and b) it's my word of the year! I loved how it encouraged collecting moments of delight in an almost 'medicinal' way; that the benefit of being conscious about them is cumulative, like taking vitamins. SO, here are my 'delightamins' so far today:⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 1) The baby in a babuschka-like hat who toddled on to the streetcar and confidently looked up and down the car like she owned it, like: hello. It is I. I have arrived. I am extremely cute. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 2) The guy who caught me red-handed propping up my chin with my Keep Cup and we both laughed.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 3) The tough-looking gentleman in a leather coat and grim "I done time" expression exiting Loblaws with the most delicate of orchids, tenderly shielding them from the wind like the plant was someone he loved. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 4) Joking in very serious tones with my boss that we might mat and frame a project checklist we're putting together because it will be such a positive departure from the hieroglyphs of disorganization we found in the project archives. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 5) Accidentally sending my sister @smart_blonde a gif of what I thought was a cute phoenix but ended up being an extremely disturbing injured phoenix. This might not be funny to anyone except the two of us, but the humour in the unintentional error of it delighted me just the same. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 6) My lunch contains red fox cheese. If you haven't tried it and you eat dairy, you will NOT be disappointed. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ 7) The emails in my inbox asking about attending or facilitating at Nurture (check out our link in bio and 'Work with Us' highlight for more info!). The fact that people get excited about something that I am excited to build is beyond delightful. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ What has delighted you so far today? I would love to know!⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ P: @laurenkolyn_studio of me drizzling some roasted kumquat, honey & coconut labneh tartines at one of our past Nurture breakfasts. Also, ALWAYS, a delight. ⁠
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