Why Stillness, Nature and Presence Matter
The world is loud. And noisy. And every day it seems that we’re deluged with information from everywhere to the point of overwhelm. How do you stop the noise so you can listen to what is true for you, your dreams, your desires, a vision of a future you want to create?
I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you why I created Restorative Retreats in Portugal. I’ve been working with clients for over 20 years as a leadership coach. I saw first hand what pressure, overdrive, and success metrics that were misaligned could do to someone over time. I too was a victim of the success story that didn’t belong to me but that I thought was the right one for me.
It turns out I was wrong.
It wasn’t until I paused for a long time in silence and in nature that I came to understand what really mattered to me, and how my nervous system and spiritual energy were not designed for the life I thought I had to lead.
I created these spaces for stillness that you call retreats to offer you the same pause, so you too can listen deeply to what is true for you - and then act upon it out of flow, not force. This space reconnects you to your natural rhythm which is corrupted by the rigid routines and overschedule agendas in our lives.
A Different Approach to Retreats
I believe retreats are not meant to fix people.
They are meant to create the conditions where clarity can arise.
In a culture that prioritizes speed, output, and constant self-improvement, my retreats offer something quieter and rarer: permission to pause.
Stillness as a Practice
Stillness is not the absence of movement—it is the absence of pressure.
When we slow down enough, we begin to hear:
What we’ve been carrying
What is asking to end
What wants to emerge
My work is grounded in the belief that wisdom surfaces naturally when urgency recedes.
Why Nature Is Central
Nature provides perspective without commentary. The natural world in the Algarve where I live invites us to reflect.
The sea, cliffs, and open landscapes of Portugal offer:
A sense of scale
Rhythms that regulate the nervous system
Space to breathe and integrate
Nature is not a backdrop in these retreats—it is an active collaborator in the work.
Presence Over Performance
Many retreat experiences unconsciously replicate the pressure of daily life:
Share more
Do the exercise correctly
Have a breakthrough
My retreats are intentionally non-performative.
You are not asked to:
Fix yourself
Share more than feels right
Become someone new
You are invited to arrive as you are.
The Power of One-to-One Work
Private retreats allow for a depth that group settings often cannot provide.
One-to-one work creates:
Safety
Precision
Spaciousness
Trust
This format is especially supportive for those who hold leadership roles, carry responsibility, or need privacy as they navigate change. Or for those whose energy is incompatible with group dynamics.
Trusting the Unfolding
I do not believe transformation can be forced or scheduled.
I trust:
The pace of the individual
The intelligence of the body
The quiet knowing that emerges in spaciousness
The role I hold is not to direct, but to accompany.
A Closing Reflection
If you are seeking:
Less noise, not more information
Depth, not productivity
Presence, not performance
Flow, not force
Rhythm, not rigid routine
Then Restorative Retreats may offer exactly what you need.
To find out, schedule a conversation with me and together we can design the space you need to be present to what holds meaning and purpose for you.
