Let it be unpolished & messy & true
Let it be unpolished.
And messy.
And true.
I’m coming back the the U.S. soon.
I’ve been away for 7 months, and soooooo much has happened in that time. It’s been a roller coaster of ups and downs (travel and life usually are). I feel as if I’ve lived a few lifetimes since I left my Michigan home.
Some might assume that I’m a travel coach who’s been to more than 50 countries, so I should have this going and returning routine down to a science, right?
But it isn’t a science. And returning never gets simpler. Just as no two travel journeys are ever the same, no two returns are the same, either. They each take on a life of their own.
There’s a chapter in the travel memoir I’m working on that talks about returning, and this section is taking on meaning once again for me:
**
Re-entry is the most difficult, yet least talked about parts of travel. It’s emotional. It’s confusing. It can swoop in out of nowhere and knock you on your ass…
No matter how many times I travel and experience re-entry, I have learned that I can never anticipate exactly how it will go.
Each transition home has a spirit of its own and manifests differently. Often the emotional work we need to attend to most is highlighted as we return.
Returning is especially difficult because your body, mind, and spirit are all on overload at the same time. It’s a struggle to center yourself in this new reality, and no part of you is firing on full cylinders.
As many times as I’ve experienced returning, it has not once been easy. I’ve always needed an extra dose of time, patience and reflection mixed with the wise counsel of others to help me navigate it.
Some days I feel like a stranger in a place that should feel like home. And when you question whether you belong in a place that’s supposed to be your home, it brings a special kind of loneliness that latches on and does not easily let go…
When I embarked on this journey, I knew I was stepping into the unknown. That was obvious. But what wasn’t so obvious was that I’d also return to the unknown. Grand Rapids, my home, has changed. But I’ve changed as well.
This magical alchemical process of place and person coming together again after a long time away is something we can never anticipate or fully understand.
I haven’t simply taken a great adventure, that great adventure has also taken me.
**
So what will returning this time look like for me?
I have no clue.
That’s the beauty and the frustration of it all.
And so when I saw this quote above….
Let it be unpolished.
And messy.
And true.
It spoke directly to me. On my return, I want this to be my mantra. I’ll be navigating it all in the same way any of us who are facing life transitions do.
It’s often messy. There will be ups and downs. It won’t look polished at all. It doesn’t have to. Each day will likely include a mix of emotions.
And that is just the truth of it.
I know from experience that I’ve often learned just as much from returning home as I have on my journey away. I’ve come to believe it’s because both have information. Both bring feelings that we need to allow and to process.
And I don’t need to try and hide that or make things feel better just because I think they should be that way. I need to allow whatever comes up. Because that is what is true in the moment.
So for now, and if you happen to see or communicate with me after I return, remind me that it’s okay to let this return home be messy and unpolished and true. ❤️
Lake Ohrid, Macedonia retreat Q&A
There’s still time to come!
Q: What are the dates?
A: Sept 28 - Oct. 4, 2025
Q: What is the daily schedule like? Will I have free time?
A: We’ll start our mornings slow so you have plenty of time to reflect or chat with others over coffee, breakfast, etc. Then, we move into group sessions until it’s time to for a gorgeous, Mediterranean lunch. After that, each afternoon is either free to explore as you wish, or on some days, we will also have specific excursions you can take part in as a group!
Q: Who is the retreat for?
A: If you feel like now is the time to take care of you…this retreat is for you!
It’s designed to help you step into both the unknown—and the magic—of who you really are. To rediscover your authentic self. To let her out and play. To give her permission to really enjoy life. To let her laugh and smile and feel what it’s like to truly be ALIVE.
Come join a small group of women (it’s capped at 10 so we can all get to know each other well) as we experience Macedonia together.
Q: What is it like and what kinds of things can I do/experience in Ohrid?
A: Nestled along the shores of Lake Ohrid, the city of Ohrid, North Macedonia is known for its stunning natural beauty, ancient churches, and quaint old town.
It oozes with history and culture as one of the oldest human settlements in Europe dating back to the 7th century. Both the town of Ohrid and Lake Ohrid are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lake Ohrid is north of Greece and is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, with one of the most biodiverse freshwater bodies of water in the world and home to unique endemic flora and fauna.
I always describe Lake Ohrid as magical. It has changed my life in more ways I can count, so this is the best word I can give it.
You’ll have an opportunity to spend time on the oldest and deepest lake in Europe .. swimming, boating, or just enjoying a coffee at one of the cafes along the shore.
Watch the sunset over the lake at the Church of St. John of Kaneo - 13th Century
Explore Samuil’s Fortress above the city - 10th century
Sit in the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, buried after the fall of the Roman Empire, preserving it for centuries until it was rediscovered in the 1980s
Wander the grounds of the Church of St. Sophia, which dates from the 9th century. Inside, it has one of the richest sources of art from the Middle Ages anywhere in the region. When the church was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman Empire, the priceless frescoes inside were covered and preserved.
Take a boat to the Monastery of Saint Naum and enjoy the fresh water springs and delight in the peacocks!
Kayaking and paddle boarding
Walk the promenade and enjoy local treats
Enjoy a traditional meal along the water - Macedonian food is a combination of Greek, Turkish and Northern Mediterranean flavors.
Meander through the Old Bazaar
Check out the National Workshop for Handmade Paper that continues the ancient tradition of handmade paper making and printing, which has been passed down through generations. Live demonstrations are performed for visitors, and you may even get the chance to make your own handmade paper using their paper press! The workshop is also home to a replica of a Gutenberg printing press (one of two in the world!), which is used to print text and imagery on handmade paper.
To learn more about the Macedonia 2025 retreat, click here.
You can also see photos and videos of my last retreat on my Instagram and Facebook pages
Early Bird prices end April 15!