During our Farewell Ceremony, a sister shared that being on this retreat made her realize that she had been operating in her masculine to protect herself and for the first time, she truly felt safe to just be a woman. She felt safe in the container we built. She felt safe to frolic and be sparkly. She felt safe in her softness. • I founded @theselfcareretreat on the premise of creating an intimate safe space for women of color to just...be. We wear pink and have an entire ceremonial dance around chocolate! What’s more womanly than that? We cry without judgement and laugh in complete fullness. We learn to open our heart chakras through partner meditations and the tools to breathe through anxiety. For a few days, we mother each other and allow for someone else to take care of us in pure gratitude. • I want to thank my surrogate Colombian family at @gitanadelmarbeachresort for every single thing they have done to ensure that our retreats have been absolutely magical over the last few years. There’s so much love and care floating through that land, you can’t help but to fold into it. I’m grateful to you all. • This is me finding my words to share over the next few days. This time has been extremely hectic for me. I miss Kam. I return to the United States in a few days to teach at a conference in Kentucky, pick up my baby from Atlanta, and return to our home here in Colombia. And then it’s preparation for our November retreat. A sister poured into me so beautifully on this particular retreat. She told me - rest, Shanicia. I see how hard you work for others. Don’t forget to take care of you. And I can’t thank her enough. She knows who she is. I’m listening sis. • To my attendees from both retreats in September, be gracious with yourselves as you move back into your daily routine but do not forget the lessons you learned this month. Love on those around you and nurture those new friendships. Keep taking care of each other. Most importantly, don’t forget to love and nurture yourself. Ase’ 💕 #gentlereminders