Hello my friends,

It feels so good to be back home in Mexico after an unforgettable two months abroad. I had the joy of leading three incredible retreats in Italy, (one with my wonderful family), and exploring the Greek islands on a scouting trip for next year’s adventures. I made new friends, picked up a few Greek words, and (as always) came home with some fresh life lessons. There were a lot of “firsts” on this trip — some exhilarating, some downright uncomfortable. Let’s just say international travel will stretch you in all the ways.

And it got me thinking… about expectations — the ones we pack without realizing it, and how they shape our experiences.

Let’s be real — we all carry expectations.

They get packed quietly next to our swimsuits, sunscreen, and journals… and they come with us everywhere. Into conversations. Into relationships. Even into sacred spaces like retreats and women’s circles.

We expect the trip to be smooth.
We expect to get along with everyone.
We expect to feel transformed by Day 3.
We expect the magic to show up on our timeline.

And when it doesn’t?

We question ourselves.
We question others.
We question the entire experience.

After leading dozens of retreats, here’s what I’ve learned:

Expectations live in the future cuddled up next to anxiety.
They dwell in “shoulds” and "perfectly planned scenarios.”
They come from a need for control — a way to feel safe in the unknown.

But retreats — and real growth — ask us to do the opposite.

They ask us to be here.
To trust what’s unfolding.
To surrender to the magic in the missteps.
To find beauty in the breakdown.

I’ve seen this play out over and over again…

The woman who cried for two days thinking she was failing — then had her breakthrough on Day 4.
The one who came for peace but found chaos — and met her truest self in the mess.
The woman who longed for connection, but didn’t expect the fear of being truly seen.

Sometimes the thing we’re resisting the most… is exactly what we came for.

And when we step into sisterhood, it can feel even trickier.

We expect to be accepted instantly.
We want effortless connection.
We hope there’s no awkwardness, no hard conversations, no emotional landmines.

But real sisterhood is a practice.

It asks us to:
-Communicate with care
-Own our triggers
-Take up space and make space for others
-Stay open when it would be easier to shut down
-Consider the whole, not just our part

And when we travel?  Well… definitely expect the unexpected.

The ferry leaves early.
The luggage doesn’t show up.
The weather shifts.
A casual wine tasting cracks your heart wide open.

When you release the plan, you find your presence.
You become more adaptable, more grounded, more you.
You learn resilience & resourcefulness.
You move from control to inner leadership. “I can do hard things”

So this month, I’m inviting you into something deeper:

-What invisible expectations are you carrying into your next adventure?
-What assumptions show up in your relationships or group dynamics?
-What if the real magic is hiding in the awkward, the slow, the not-what-you-planned?

This is the work we’re doing this month inside The Sisterhood Rising — and it’s the heartbeat of every retreat I create.

We’re not here to perfect the experience.
We’re here to live it — fully.

With curiosity.
With grace.
And with a willingness to let go.

With much love,
Cheryl

PS. Tulum and Greece retreats 2026 will be opening for registrations soon!  You will be able to get all the details here:  http://www.cheryldavenport.com

 

Dear Sister,

I recently watched a movie that stirred something deep in my soul—The Life List.  Have you watched it?  It’s new on Netflix and I highly recommend it as a soul stirring and thought provoking movie.🍿 Oh, and don't forget the kleenex too.
It reminded me how easily we tuck away our dreams for “someday,” and how quickly life can pass us by when we’re waiting for the perfect time. NOW is the perfect time!

What if we stopped waiting?

What if we gave ourselves permission to say yes to the big things, the small joys, the adventures, and the soul-whispers—now?

This is what I’m inviting you to explore with me this month:
What’s on your Life List?
Not a bucket list of someday things… but a living, breathing list of what your heart is craving today!

Lately, I’ve been reconnecting with some of the dreams I’d quietly tucked away… dreams that once lit my soul on fire. I’m talking about far-off travel to places I’ve only seen in my dreams,☑️ wild creativity pouring out of me without hesitation or fear, belly laughs around a campfire with women who feel like soul family, swimming naked in a moonlit lake, writing the book that’s been whispering to me for years, tending a garden that feeds both body and spirit, slow dancing in the rain just because it feels good, and yes—feeling true, heart-opening love and partnership again. These aren't just fantasies. They are soul desires. And I believe they show up when we’re finally ready to meet them. I’m ready. I’m opening my heart, choosing courage over comfort, and inviting you to do the same.

✨ What experiences call to you?
✨ What parts of yourself are ready to be expressed?
✨ What dreams have been patiently waiting for you to say, “I’m ready”?                                  

✨What dreams did you have as a child?

Whether it's dancing under the moonlight, writing your book, taking that solo trip, learning a new language, or simply feeling more alive in your everyday life—this is your invitation to begin.

And you don’t have to do it alone.

Join me for our next Sisterhood Rising Circle on Friday, May 3rd at 9:00am PST, where we’ll dive into the theme of “The Life List—Living, Not Just Dreaming.”

We’ll journal, reflect, connect, and each leave with one inspired step toward a life more fully lived. I even have a really fun bit of ‘homework’ for you, if you're up for it!

Let’s stop postponing joy. Let’s dive head first into the life that’s been waiting for us.

PS. If Bali is on your Life List I have a few spots available for our 2025 retreat, “A Woman’s Journey Back to Herself” You can get all the details here 👉 www.cheryldavenport.com/retreats

With love,
Cheryl
Founder, The Sisterhood Rising & Cheryl Davenport Retreats

🌺 Mark Your Calendar:
Sisterhood Rising Call – May 3rd at 9:00am PST
“The Life List – Living, Not Just Dreaming”

REPLY “Life List” in the comments to let me know you’re coming and I’ll send you a personal invite and some thought prompts to get you started. Let’s create magic together!

Hello dear friends,  

If you missed the kick off call for The Sisterhood Rising I’ve done a little recap for you.  We had 25 incredible women on the call, we laughed, we cried, and we connected deeply to each other. My heart is full. 💖 
It was a vulnerable share but I felt like I needed to share a little bit of my back story...

My Story: From Feeling Stuck to Creating a Life I Love

I know what it’s like to feel stuck, alone, or unsure of what’s next. But I also know what’s possible when you surround yourself with the right people and have support!

In 2015, on the outside, my life looked incredible. I had a beautiful home on three acres, a great corporate job, financial security, and my daughters were living their own amazing lives. But I felt empty and out of alignment with my purpose. I had played it safe for far too long.  I was stuck, unsure of who I was or what I wanted next.

A pivotal moment came when I went through a painful breakup. I had built a life that demanded I work two jobs just to sustain it. Was this really it? Was this what I was meant to do until retirement? Overwhelmed, heartbroken and exhausted, I knew I needed a major shift.

So, I did something radical. I booked a solo 17-day trip to Thailand and Bali. That trip changed everything. I fell in love with Bali and started a side hustle—a clothing business. Five trips and two years later, in 2017, I took the leap. I left my job, sold my home, and moved to Bali with just two suitcases.

That year became a deep journey of self-discovery. Yoga, meditation, healers, therapy, workshops, coaching—I treated my healing like a full-time job. Those first two years I also built my clothing business, got my coaching accreditation, and hosted my first retreat in 2019. I was on my way…or so I thought.

Then 2020 hit. The world shut down. I returned to the U.S. with no home, no job, no income, and no plan. I had to start over. Fear was a constant companion, but I kept moving forward. I built my coaching business, moved to Mexico, and started planning my next retreats. I lived with one foot on the gas and one on the brakes for years. But mindset work, intention, action and lots of meditation helped me push through. Faith + Action = Miracles

Fast forward to 2025: I now lead retreats in Bali, Italy, Mexico, and Greece, coach women through major life changes, and split my time between Mexico, Bali, and Italy. But there was still one thing missing—a way to support women beyond the retreats, to help them continue their growth and connection and to support the women that may not be able to join us on retreat.

That’s why I created The Sisterhood Rising.

Doing It Scared, Doing It Awkward, Doing It Anyway!

How do you want to FEEL in 2025?

Your energy is everything. Have you ever met someone who lights up the room without saying a word? Or someone who leaves you feeling drained? That’s energy. Everything is energy. It’s either flowing or resistant.  When your energy aligns with your desires, you become a magnet for what you want. That is why we need to focus on the FEELING.

Let’s align with that energy now:

• Think of a time when you felt the way you want to feel in 2025 or a moment you felt so much gratitude. Let yourself sink into that memory. Feel it.

• What made you feel that way? What can you do more of?

• Meditation can help shift your energy. Even 10 minutes a day can take your foot off the brake and allow flow into your life. 

If you fully trusted yourself, what bold move would you make this year?

Why are we not all doing this and what gets in the way?

Fear & Limiting Beliefs:

Fear can paralyze us. The bigger the dream, the bigger the fear, the more we grow. We grow to size.  Can I share something…I’ve wanted to create this Sisterhood since 2019. What took me so long? Fear! But I’m doing it scared anyway. And that’s okay. You don’t have to do it alone. When 1 woman makes it and pushes through her fear she makes room for other women to come with her!  It’s not ‘look at me, it’s come with me’!

Ask yourself:

• Where do I feel the most resistance?

• Is this fear really true?

• What’s one small step I can take?

Your thoughts create your results. Circumstance ➔ Thoughts ➔ Feelings ➔ Actions ➔ Results. Shift your thoughts, shift your life.

An Invitation to The Sisterhood Rising

If you’re craving deeper connection, growth, and a community of women who support each other, I invite you to join The Sisterhood Rising. This is just the beginning. We are all stepping into the next chapter of our lives together.

Our next live call is happening on April 5th at 9:00 AM PST, and we would love for you to join us! This is a powerful opportunity to share, learn, and be inspired alongside like-minded women who are ready to rise together.

✨ How to Join: Simply reply to this email with the word “Sisterhood”, and we’ll send you the link to our upcoming call!  It’s FREE…so check it out!

In the meantime, stay connected with us on Instagram & Facebook @TheSisterhoodRising for daily inspiration, updates, and sisterhood support.

We can’t wait to welcome you into this space of empowerment and connection. See you on the call!

With love & courage,
Cheryl

PS. If you are interested in a deep dive into healing, transformation and connection, I still have a few spots available for our retreat in Bali!  Get all the details here: https://www.cheryldavenport.com/retreats

Dear Sister,

Have you ever felt like your navigating life’s biggest changes alone? Whether it’s aging, relationships, health shifts, or the deep desire to rediscover yourself—you’re not alone.

The truth is, we weren’t meant to figure all of this out by ourselves. Women thrive in community. When we support each other, we rise together.

That’s exactly why I created The Sisterhood Rising—a safe, empowering space where we can have real conversations about the things we wish someone had told us earlier. These are the whispers over coffee, the late-night heart-to-hearts, and the questions we’ve been afraid to ask. It’s like a women’s circle, but online!  

🔥 What’s Trending in Our Lives?

✨ Aging & Beauty: Shifting from anti-aging to pro-aging—how do we feel good in our skin at every stage?
✨ Relationships & Intimacy: Navigating divorce, dating, or deepening your current connection.
✨ Purpose & Reinvention: Feeling called to something new? Career shifts, creative pursuits, or life changes.
✨ Stress & Self-Care: Beating burnout, managing overwhelm, and prioritizing YOU—without guilt.
✨ Money & Independence: Financial empowerment, smart investing, and designing a life of freedom.
✨ Hormones & Health: Perimenopause, menopause, and beyond—let’s talk wellness, nutrition & mental health.
✨ Slow Living & Simplicity: Savoring life’s little moments, embracing joy, and slowing down and being present to the simple joys of life.
✨ Travel: Solo adventures, travel tips, and everything you need to know about women’s retreats.

These are just some of the REAL conversations we will be having each month. I’ll also be inviting some incredible guest experts to join the discussion! You won't want to miss this!

What’s Happening in March?

📆 March Call Theme: "Manifestation & Alignment—Creating a Life That Feels Good"

 Because the secret to manifesting isn’t just about what you want—it’s about how you feel.

🔹 What We’ll Cover:
✔ Understanding vibrational energy & attraction—how to create more of what you desire.
✔ Getting clear on your vision & removing resistance—self-awareness is everything!
✔ Daily rituals to align with your goals—simple practices that create massive shifts.

💫 Plus: The Power of Sisterhood—Why We Need Each Other More Than Ever
✅ Feel seen, heard & understood—because real connection is rare.
✅ Learn from each other’s wisdom—no more figuring it out alone.
✅ Get clarity, solutions & inspiration for whatever changes you’re facing.

Doors are opening soon for our first Sisterhood Rising call, and I’d love for you to be part of this circle.

📅 March 1st at 9:00 AM PST – Join us!
  Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @TheSisterhoodRising for all the details.

Drop the word “Sisterhood” in the comments and I’ll send the call link straight to your inbox!

PS…Upcoming Retreats:  I still have a few spots available for our Bali Retreat September 19th through October 1st, 2025.  This is your opportunity to make 2025 a game changer year!  Get all the details here: 👉 Cheryl Davenport Retreats

With deep gratitude & love,
Cheryl