These retreats mean so much to me, and I’d like to share a bit of the story that brought me here.

TIME TO BELONG

Right from the start, I felt like I didn’t quite belong. I was always trying to fit into someone else’s idea of who I should be. I was a master chameleon —being the best little girl, the most fun, the most ambitious — you get the picture. Living like that is exhausting and lonely. My emotional radar always on, constantly looking to others for my happiness, which just leads to disappointment and, honestly, a lot of heartache.

And yet, deep down, even from a young age, I had this unshakable sense of a bigger picture. I still remember, so vividly, climbing a tree when I was four years old, resting in the branches, closing my eyes, and feeling completely one with the universe. In that moment, I knew I was the sky, the trees, the sun, the earth—everything. It was all connected, and I could feel it so deeply. That sense of belonging, of pure joy and lightness, has been my guiding star ever since.

My life has been a journey to return to that feeling. To belong fully to myself, to find peace. And while it hasn’t always been easy, I’m so grateful for every experience—good and bad—because they’ve shaped who I am today.

I can look back now and see how each chapter of my life has transformed me. I’m not the same person I was 20 years ago, or even yesterday. And tomorrow? It holds infinite possibilities. That’s the beauty of it.

Recently, I’ve been really embracing just how precious life is. To be human, to be alive—it’s a gift. I can see now how much of my life was lived unconsciously. Always doing, doing, doing. Pushing for more. Seeking the next thing. I can still hear myself saying to Larry, “When we get there, it’ll be fine. Then we can relax.” We were always striving, always running our business, and the stress was so overwhelming at times. We kept dreaming of this peaceful retreat where we could just switch off, but we never seemed to find the time.

And then, in an instant, Larry was gone. Just like that. The shock is still with me, and I catch myself wondering how I ever thought it couldn’t happen to us. But the truth is, we’re all born, and we all die. Yet there we were, constantly working and pushing, instead of fully living and being. And I regret that.

But I’m also so grateful. Grateful that Larry and I shared a spiritual path. For the last 20 years, we embraced a daily meditation practice, we studied to become meditation teachers, and we explored so many spiritual and holistic practices. We saw that there was a real gap for bespoke meditation retreats here in the UK, and we wanted to create something special together. And in a way, we still are. I feel his love and presence with me every day.

Now, you might think we figured out the secret to a perfect life—but let me tell you, there is no destination. The journey keeps unfolding, right to the end. What we did discover were some tools, some insights that helped us stay centered through the ups and downs, and to enjoy life along the way.

For me, meditation has been life-changing. Without it, I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through the grief and loss of losing Larry. It gave me the strength and clarity to keep going.

So, my deepest hope for Belong to Yourself is to share what I’ve learned and to support you on your own journey. Because here’s the thing—you get to choose how to live your life. You get to decide how to show up, how to find joy, and how to belong to yourself.

I’ve always had this gift to really see the beauty in people—their true, radiant selves—and reflect it back to them. As you open up to your authentic self, you may start to see your own light and start to feel it and then finally own it.

Because the quality of life isn’t measured by how long it lasts, but by its depth, by the love, kindness, and thoughtfulness we give and receive. Love is the jewel in the crown, and learning from each chapter of our lives brings peace and wisdom.

Seek joy, my friend. Satisfaction and happiness are your birthright and love is everything!