Reflections from the Mother-Daughter Retreat
Grace Dunn
This reflection is long overdue. It’s wild how quickly time moves. Our Mother-Daughter Retreat in July already feels like a lifetime ago, yet the memories remain bright in our hearts and vivid in our minds.
My best friend, Shanan, and I created this retreat from an inner knowing that mothers and daughters need time and space to reconnect and strengthen their bond. We curated a week where we could come together not just to relax, but to remember. To remember what it feels like to be present. To be seen. To laugh until your sides hurt. To cry and feel safe doing so. To dance in unison. To walk barefoot in paradise. To be held by community, by nature, and by each other.
We chose Nosara, Costa Rica, with intention. It’s a place I once called home with my two daughters. It’s also one of the world’s five Blue Zones, which are regions where people live longer, healthier, more joyful lives. Well-being isn’t a trend. It’s a tradition. It’s found in the fruit of the papaya, the rhythm of slow mornings, the kindness of neighbors, the pura vida vibes, and the honoring of family and intergenerational living. In Blue Zones, elders are treasured. Their stories are the golden thread that weaves the tapestry of the community. This is something we long to remember and reclaim as women.
The flow of the week during the retreat mirrors the rhythm of nature herself. Each day holds a theme: gratitude, self-love, generosity, creativity, empowerment. As the week unfolds, we tell stories. We ask meaningful questions. We journal. We share. We witness. We remember that vulnerability is strength. Joy is medicine. Laughter is contagious. Presence is love. And transformation begins to take root.
You can see it in the way a daughter wraps her arms around her mother and holds her a little tighter or a little longer. In the way a mom opens up, breathes deeper, and laughs more freely. In the way new friendships form—while making jewelry, sipping smoothies, or helping each other through the waves. In the way someone who felt unsure on Day One suddenly walks taller, softer, or more at ease. By the end of the week, mothers feel resourced and daughters feel empowered. The bond feels rewoven. Stronger. Lined with compassion, awe, and unconditional love.
Life can be challenging. None of us are immune to heartbreak, rocky transitions, perceived setbacks, or unknowns. But when you know you have a pillar of strength and wisdom in your corner—whether it’s your mother, your daughter, a friend, or even the Earth herself—you feel like you can navigate any storm. You move through life differently. With more courage to feel it all and keep going.
We’re already planning the next Mother-Daughter Retreat, in the same beautiful location. If your heart is nudging you to join, reach out for more information. It will be a week you’ll treasure in your heart forever.