A few {more} Love Notes
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“I went on this retreat with the hope of learning what it truly means to be in my body-fully, honestly, and without escape. I wondered if I could stay in vulnerability even while surrounded by strangers.
What I left with was an abundance so profound, it feels almost impossible to put into words. There was the depth of sisterhood. The overflow of seeing myself reflected through the eyes of another. The intensity of finally coming home to a body I hadn't realized l'd been away from for so long.
Zahiyah did far more than simply create a safe container-she cultivated a space that was both tender and powerful. A space that invited each of us to meet ourselves more deeply than we ever had before.
And the icing on the cake-or maybe, in hindsight, the very heart of it all-was the laughter. The sheer, unfiltered joy. The childhood delight of being silly little girls again, free to play without restriction, without roles, without shame.
Just joy, in its purest form.”
~ Patti
“This experience shifted me in ways I never could have anticipated. It changed how I view pleasure, how I experience & crave touch—whether with myself, in my friendships with women, or with a partner—and it reconnected me to the truest form of myself.
One of the highlights for me was a simple lunch on the deck that blossomed into a deep, soul-baring conversation. We sat together, shared our hearts, cried, comforted one another, & realized that while each of our stories are different, our pain is not unique. There was something so liberating in knowing that I am not special, I am not too far gone, my circumstances won’t hold me back unless I let them. I had spent too much time convincing myself that my situation was unique, using it as a scapegoat to sit in the discomfort of it instead of taking accountability for myself & making meaningful change.
As I told Zahiyah & Lauren when I was saying goodbye: I wasn’t leaving this retreat as a new person. I was leaving as an older version of myself—a version that had been stifled, quieted, & made smaller by life’s challenges. I am endlessly grateful to have found her again 🤍 I have truly never experienced a more supportive, loving, & majestically vulnerable group of women. I was able to heal parts of myself that I didn’t even know needed healing. I left feeling truly known & truly loved, having experienced girlhood in its purest form. I am forever grateful for the opportunity. - Jordan
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“Where to begin? I find myself bursting with the love I found in this space but unable to form the words to tell others how magical this experience was.
The wholeness, love, and play I'm still swimming in days later and am continuing to integrate in my own life at home is beyond my wildest dreams coming into this container.
Zahiyah created such an amazing space to be held, seen, and integrated with our deepest pain points and darkest shadows - but that, l expected to some extent.
It was the play, love, fun, and abundant, unending laughter that was almost more healing in its own right. I entered the space knowing no one except through a group chat (albeit an amazing, very loving group chat) to leaving the retreat with 15 new soul sisters. Though we all faced unexpected pain points, through our individual journeys and perspectives, but common experiences, so many of us - myself included- became unstuck in our heads and our therapy + knowledge +, and found our way back into loving relationship with our bodies
I could not recommend this retreat more. I feel so blessed and privileged to have been part of the first retreat group. This was a time of, yes, relaxation and deep reset and rest - but also a time of deep connection, vulnerability and facing our greatest shadows reflected in each other - but also somehow a time of play and deep belly laughter and FUN.
I am not exaggerating when I tell you this retreat was life changing for me, and I am so lucky to have met new soul sisters here.”
~ Alea
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“Some of my favorite moments from the retreat were the simple but powerful ones like laughing into the full moon in the water with the other women there, hiking in the quiet of the mountains (and embracing the change), and sharing meals that felt like family dinners. What stood out most was how quickly us strangers became friends, and how safe it felt to be open and vulnerable in our retreat space. One of the biggest takeaways for me was realizing I’m not alone in the things I’ve been carrying, and that letting go of even a little of that weight can feel so freeing. I also really loved how curated it felt because I was nervous coming into it whether or not my roommates and I would get along, and it worked out beautifully.” ~ Cass
“Being surrounded by other women on a healing journey and path to being their most authentic selves was transformative. Their genuine love and presence mirrored parts of myself that I had been leaving in the dark, and gave me the reassurance I didn't know I needed to continue to fully step into who l am. That I can been seen, and accepted for that. That I can see and accept myself, and that I can embody that. I left the retreat with so much gratitude and awe in my heart for the beautiful souls I had the opportunity to witness and be surrounded by.” ~ Lexi
“This retreat changed my life… those connections you crave they exist, and its real. I share this coming from someone who has big sisterhood wounds. The unconditional love and warmness Zahiyah created for me to be able to thrive. Walking away from this container, it reminded I am worthy of having women in my life that see me/hold space for me, and that I can create a life filled with laughter, cuddle puddles, slow maxing days, and am loveable the way I am” ~ Mary