Posts tagged womens retreats
the Art of Creating a Beautiful Life

Hello beautiful friends,

We often think a beautiful life will arrive once everything is settled.

Once the house is finished.
The plans are clear.
The relationship appears.
Our health is exactly where we want it to be.
Or the next chapter is fully formed.

But perhaps the beauty isn’t waiting for us at the finish line.

Perhaps the beauty is also in the becoming—in the dreaming, rearranging, choosing, creating, strengthening, and listening for what wants to emerge next.

I have been thinking about this a lot lately because so much in my own life feels as though it is still becoming.

I’m shaping a new vision for my work and the retreats I want to create. I’m giving deeper meaning and language to my philosophy around The Art of Creating a Beautiful Life. I’m creating a little sanctuary on my balcony, choosing the furniture, pillows, plants, lanterns, and special details that make it feel like an extension of me.

And one of the most beautiful new parts of my life is becoming a GiGi.

That alone has made me think differently about the woman I want to be in this next chapter—healthy, strong, joyful, present, adventurous, inspiring and able to fully participate in the lives of the people I love.

Lately, that becoming has included a renewed commitment to my health, nutrition, and strength.

I’m calling it my midlife upgrade.

More and more women are turning midlife into a comeback.

We walk.
We lift.
We train.
We nourish our bodies.
We show up for our health.

Forget the midlife crisis. This is a midlife upgrade.

I’m proud of us.

Proud of every woman who has decided that her second half gets to be her strongest one.

This isn’t about trying to become who we were twenty years ago. It’s about honoring the women we are today—and preparing our bodies, minds, and spirits for everything we still want to experience.

I want to lift weights and hike beautiful trails. I want to travel, dance, date, laugh, lead retreats, explore new places, play with my grandchildren, and keep creating a life that excites me.

I want the strength and energy to enjoy the life I have worked so hard to create.

And I know I’m not alone.

Women over 50 are redefining what this season of life can look like. Our careers and businesses are flourishing. Some of us are enjoying the freedom of retirement. We are learning new things, starting over, traveling the world, falling in love, becoming grandmothers, changing our homes, strengthening our bodies, deepening our friendships, and listening more closely to ourselves.

We are surrounding ourselves with beauty—not because life is perfect, but because beauty nourishes us.

A vase of fresh flowers.
A peaceful corner of our home.
A strong body that carries us through the world.
Food prepared with love.
A long walk beside the ocean.
A gathering around the table.
A plane ticket to somewhere that calls to us.
Time with the people who matter most.

These may look like small choices, but woven together they become a life.

The balcony doesn’t have to be finished before I enjoy my coffee outside.

My body doesn’t have to be perfect before I celebrate its growing strength.

My future doesn’t have to be completely mapped out before I feel excited about what is ahead.

And I don’t have to know exactly what this next chapter will become to recognize that something beautiful is already unfolding.

Perhaps that is the invitation for all of us this month:

To stop waiting until everything is finished, certain, or perfect before we allow ourselves to enjoy our lives.

To notice the beauty that already exists.

To choose one small way to care for our future selves.

To become stronger—not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.

And to remember that aging does not mean fading away. It can mean becoming more fully ourselves.

So I’ll leave you with this question:

What are you becoming right now—even if it isn’t finished, polished, or fully understood yet?

Whatever it is, honor it.

It is your life.

And it can be beautiful too.

"A beautiful life isn’t something that happens to us. It’s something we intentionally create, one choice at a time."

With love & blessings,

Cheryl

PS…If you’d like to start your 2027 off with us at The Wellness Sanctuary I have opened registration for my past retreat guests.  Get all the details here: The Wellness Sanctuary 2027

PSS…I have 2 spots available for coaching if you are seeking guidance in creating your own Midlife Upgrade. Schedule a complimentary call here: Midlife Upgrade Call


 

The Life You Keep Postponing...

The life you keep postponing...

Dear Sister,

Almost every woman that has joined us on retreat has said some version of this...

“But I won’t know anyone…”
“Who’s going to take care of everything while I’m gone?”
“I just can’t afford it right now…”

Sound familiar?

Our minds are incredibly powerful. They will always give us reasons not to do something… if that’s what we’re asking for.

But what if you asked a different question?

What if you asked:
Why should I go?
What could this experience give me?
Who might I become on the other side of it?

Because here’s what I know to be true…

So many women are living in the “someday.”
Someday I’ll take the trip.
Someday I’ll prioritize myself.
Someday I’ll say yes.

But someday has a way of turning into not now… and then into not ever.

And that quiet feeling? The one that whispers there’s more for me… it doesn’t go away.

What I’ve seen over and over again through my retreats…

Women arrive unsure, maybe even a little scared.
And within days… everything shifts.

They slow down.
They breathe again.
They reconnect with themselves in a way that’s been missing.

Because this isn’t just a vacation.

It’s intentional.
It’s immersive.
It’s a space where you don’t have to take care of anyone else… where everything is handled for you… and your only job is to be there.

To feel.
To reflect.
To laugh.
To connect.

And something powerful happens when women come together in that kind of space.

Walls come down.
Stories are shared.
Friendships are formed that last far beyond the retreat itself.

You may arrive not knowing a single person… but you will leave with sisters.

Women who see you.
Who get you.
Who remind you of who you are.

And maybe the most important part…

You remember yourself.

Not the version of you that’s constantly giving, doing, holding everything together… but the woman underneath all of that.

The one who still has dreams.
Desires.
A life she knows she’s meant to live.

I’ve watched this transformation happen hundreds of times… and I’ve experienced it myself.

Every retreat I’ve ever said yes to stretched me. Scared me a little. Asked something of me.

And every single time… I came home changed. Stronger. Clearer. More alive.

So let me ask you…

Is there something inside of you right now that’s quietly saying… I want more?

More connection.
More joy.
More meaning.
More YOU.

If that’s a yes… even a soft one… I want you to listen to it.

I have 2 remaining spots for two very special women to join us in Greece, June 12–21.

This experience has been one of the most thoughtfully curated retreats I’ve ever created… and I won’t be offering it again next year.

If Greece has been on your heart… if you’ve been waiting for the right time… this might be it.

Registration is closing soon.

You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need to be willing to say yes to yourself.

Because your someday?

It’s now.
You can get details and register here: https: https://www.cheryldavenport.com/greece-2026

With love and gratitude,
Cheryl

Release, Realign & Refuel

Living Seasonally, Healing Deeply, and What’s Ahead

Dear Beautiful Friends,

October is here, and with it comes that gentle nudge from nature —  to slow down, soften, and surrender. 

Just like the trees release their leaves, we too are called to let go. Let go of what’s no longer serving. Let go of the push, the proving, the pressure. This season invites us inward — to reflect, refuel, and realign.

In a world that rarely pauses, fall is nature’s way of reminding us that rest is not weakness, it is wisdom. Our ancestors lived in harmony with the earth’s rhythms. Their food, rest, movement, and rituals shifted with the seasons. And our bodies — wise and wild — still crave that same alignment.

Living Seasonally is a Form of Healing

When we honor the season we’re in, we create space for deep nourishment and renewal.
Here are a few gentle reminders to support you this season:

  • Eat with what's in season: Root veggies, squashes, soups, herbal teas — foods that ground and warm.

  • Honor rest: Shorter days are nature’s cue to soften. Light candles, stretch, sleep deeply.

  • Reflect & release: Journal by the fire, take long walks in the falling leaves, ask yourself — What am I ready to let go of?

  • Tend to your nervous system: Breath-work, herbal teas, take epsom salt baths, or simply stillness — let your healing be slow and sacred.

    You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to release. You are allowed to bloom again — in your own season.


This Month in Retreats, Coaching & Sisterhood:

Whether you're joining me for a retreat in paradise, circling with women in Sisterhood Rising, or doing the deep 1:1 work of coaching — know this:

“Everything I offer is rooted in this truth:
You already hold the answers within — you just need the space to hear them.
When women are witnessed, supported, and deeply nourished, transformation becomes inevitable.
That’s the power of retreats and sisterhood. That’s the beauty of coming home to yourself.”

And speaking of what’s coming...

Tulum Retreat — 1 Spot Left!
I have a rare and beautiful opening for The Wellness Sanctuary Retreat in Tulum, January 9–16, 2026.
This is your chance to begin the year in a powerful way — with clarity, intention, sisterhood, and deep rejuvenation on the white sand beaches of Mexico.
I’m calling in one special woman to join us — someone grounded, open-hearted, kind, and ready to begin her year with presence and purpose. Get all the details here: https://www.cheryldavenport.com/tulum-mexico-2026

Greece Retreats Are Coming!
I’m so excited to finally announce that registration for Greece 2026 opens this week!
I’ll be hosting not one, but two retreats through the Greek islands of Paros, Santorini & Athens:

May 29 – June 8, 2026
June 12 – 21, 2026

These will open first to my past retreat guests, followed by my VIP guest list — so stay tuned for those early invitations. 

The Sisterhood Rising
You may have noticed I’ve been a little quiet on The Sisterhood Rising page… and that’s intentional.
I realized I couldn’t keep up with the pace of content creation while honoring what matters most: presence, travel, family, and my own wellbeing.

But make no mistake — the sisterhood is very much alive. It’s happening in real life — in the retreats, the continued connections, the heartfelt messages, the laughter, the support, and the sacred space we hold for one another.

I’ll continue hosting calls and posting when I feel inspired, but I’m releasing the need to “keep up” — because life, real sisterhood, and soul-aligned leadership don’t follow algorithms. If you ever need a sister, a soft place to land, or a private coaching session, I am here. You can email me anytime at cheryl@cheryldavenport.com

Coming February 2026…
A Retreat Sisterhood Reunion is in the works! And possibly… a very special guest flying in from Italy! 🇮🇹  Stay tuned — this will be something extraordinary.

Sending you love, grounding energy, and space to let go.
Let Fall remind you how beautiful it is to release — and how powerful it is to realign.

With all my heart,
Cheryl

Website: http://www.cheryldavenport.com

The Weight We Don't Talk About: Expectations

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

 



An Unforgettable Experience In Bali

Dear Sisters,

Are you ready to step into a journey of profound healing, connection, and self-discovery? Join us for a luxurious 12-day women's retreat in Bali, September 19th-October 1st, 2025 where your soul will be nourished, your spirit will be uplifted, and your body will be rejuvenated.

Why This Retreat is For You

Life can be overwhelming, leaving you feeling depleted and disconnected. This retreat is your chance to reset, reconnect, and immerse yourself in a sanctuary of peace, beauty, and sisterhood. You'll leave feeling deeply restored, empowered, and aligned with your highest self.

Indulgent Inclusions

  • A Special Welcome Dinner: Begin this magical journey with a beautifully curated welcome dinner, where you’ll connect with your fellow sisters in an intimate and heartwarming setting.

  • Daily Yoga & Meditation: Each morning, awaken your body and spirit with gentle yoga and meditation, set against Bali’s lush jungle backdrop.

  • Goddess Photoshoot at Bali Swings: Step into your divine feminine energy as you glide on the famous Bali Swings in a flowing goddess dress, capturing the essence of your beauty and strength in an unforgettable photoshoot.

  • Culinary Delights: Savor 12 delicious breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners, plus daily tea, cake, and a welcome fruit basket. Your free evenings are perfect for exploring Bali’s world-class dining.

  • Healing Excursions & Sacred Ceremonies:

    • Sound Healing at Pyramids of Chi – A deeply transformative 90-minute sound healing session followed by a special lunch.

    • Balinese Water Purification Ceremony – Cleanse your spirit in a sacred ritual guided by local spiritual leaders.

    • Organic Cooking Class – Visit a local market and learn to prepare a 5-course Balinese feast at a beautiful farm to table cooking school.

  • Island Escape to Nusa Lembongan:

    • Spend 4 nights in a private luxury bungalow on this stunning island.

    • Snorkeling & Beach Time – Swim in crystal-clear waters, explore vibrant coral reefs, and relax on the soft white sand.

    • Cycling & Sunset Views – Explore the island’s hidden gems by bike or private car and take in breathtaking sunsets over the ocean.

  • Pampering & Spa Indulgence:

    • Luxuriate in a body scrub, 60-minute massage, and a tropical flower bath in a renowned Ubud spa.

    • Enjoy an additional 60-minute massage at the resort’s Ayurvedic spa. Feel free to add on additional body treatments from the extensive menu.

  • Luxury Accommodations:

    • Stay 7 nights in a 5-star wellness resort in Ubud, nestled in lush jungle surroundings.

    • Your suite includes a deluxe king bed, private balcony, and elegant en-suite bath.

  • Exclusive Extras:

    • Private airport transfers & transportation for all excursions.

    • Opening & closing ceremonies, plus guided sister circle gatherings.

    • A beautiful welcome gift bag filled with special surprises.

    • A complimentary private coaching session with Cheryl to integrate your experience.

Limited Availability

To maintain an intimate and deeply personal experience, spaces are limited. This is your chance to step away from the noise of everyday life and immerse yourself in beauty, healing, and sisterhood.

Reserve Your Spot Today

Are you ready to say YES to yourself? Secure your place now and prepare for a journey that will change your life.

With love and light,
Cheryl Davenport

Visit https://www.cheryldavenport.com/retreats for more details and to register!

 

The Power of Sisterhood

Dear friends,

As we step into a new year, I want to share my heart and vision with you—a vision of women rising together in support, connection, and empowerment.

In a world that often asks us to compete, compare, and conform, The Sisterhood Rising is about breaking free from those narratives. It’s about creating a safe, sacred space where women can connect deeply, support one another fully, and grow into their fullest potential.

When women come together—free from judgment, free from competition—we create a force that is unstoppable. Together, we rise above challenges, celebrate each other's successes, and hold space for one another through life’s transitions.

At the core of this movement is connection:

  • Connection to ourselves—embracing our unique strengths and honoring our journeys.

  • Connection to each other—building a community where every woman feels seen, heard, and supported.

  • Connection to our collective purpose—uniting in the shared commitment to lift each other higher.

I believe in the power of sisterhood to create ripples of transformation—not just for us as individuals, but for our families, communities, and dreams.

How You Can Get Involved:
Retreats that Inspire and Transform: Join me for one of my upcoming retreats in Italy, Bali, Mexico, or Greece. These immersive experiences are designed to nourish your body, mind, and soul. I’ll also be adding shorter, intensive 3-4 day retreats in California soon—perfect for a quick yet transformative reset!

1:1 Coaching for Deeper Growth: Work with me privately to dive into your unique journey, goals, and challenges. Together, we’ll create a path forward that feels aligned and empowering.

Group Discussions for Real Conversations: I’ll be hosting group spaces to share openly about the topics that matter most to women at this pivotal time in our lives—friendships, relationships, love, sex, menopause, health, wellness, and so much more. These are safe spaces where your voice will be heard, and your story will be honored.

Follow Me on Instagram: @TheSisterhoodRising for inspiration, updates, and opportunities to connect with an incredible community of women.

This is more than a movement; it’s a mission to rise together. The time is now, and I’d be honored to have you as part of this incredible journey.

Together, we are unstoppable. 💃❤️

With love and gratitude,
Cheryl
cheryl@cheryldavenport.com

P.S. Have you experienced the power of sisterhood in your life? I’d love to hear your story or vision for how we can rise together. Hit reply and let me know!