When I first set out to design a retreat for women who wanted to join me on a multi-day village to village walk through the English countryside, I knew I wanted inspiration and restoration to be at the heart of the experience: restoration from past hurts, struggles, and failures, and inspiration to move towards healing, new dreams, and creative expression.

As I crafted the look and feel of the trip, and arranged the logistics accordingly, women I knew who had been through specific seasons came to mind. In the same way that I had been impacted by my experience walking through the Cotswolds, I wanted to provide women with the opportunity to reflect on their past, be present and unhurried in the moment, and dream for the future.

I’ve created my Women’s Walking Retreat with the following women in mind:

A woman on the edge of, or engulfed by, burn out.

This was me when I first walked the Cotswolds, so I knew what an exhausted woman would benefit from: fresh air, minimal distractions, non-strenuous activity, nourishing food, and restful sleep. Plenty of time to be present and do less. More disconnection from the world in favour of connection with God, nature, and her own mind and body. If you’re a mom, career professional, student, caretaker, ministry worker, volunteer, or servicewoman (or likely some combination of the above) you know what it’s like to put others first and shelve your own dreams and desires. Maybe you’re at the breaking point…or you’ve broken down already and need some respite. We all need green pastures and quiet waters from time to time. My Women’s Walking Retreat offers opportunity for rest and restoration in abundance.

A woman with big decisions on the horizon or plans to map out.

Perhaps you are on the verge of a major life change or a shift in seasons. Maybe you have some dreams that need exploring and refining. It can be difficult to process big ideas and new realities on the go, or with distractions competing for mental square footage. At the end of the day, you lack the mental capacity and energy to shift gears and get into a mindset of creating, dreaming, and planning for the future. With minimal decisions to make, and all logistics taken care of once you arrive in the Cotswolds, my Women’s Walking Retreat offers plenty of opportunities daydream, jot down your thoughts, and maybe even bounce ideas off others in the group. My daily Creative Coaching sessions along the way can help guide your approach to developing your ideas and making your dreams a reality.

A woman who’s always wanted to travel internationally.

If you have always had the desire to travel internationally, but haven’t yet embarked on that sort of adventure, it can be daunting to know where to begin. That’s why my Women’s Walking Retreat is a perfect starting point. I’ll come alongside you to help with your flights and packing lists. Our group threads on Slack can help facilitate ride-sharing from London airports to our first stop in the Cotswolds. On my Women’s Walking Retreat through the Cotswolds, you’ll be able to enjoy the adventure without worrying about logistics.

A woman who longs to tap into her creative gifts.

Every one of us posesses a river of unbroken creative potential. If your creative output has plateaued, evaporated completely, or just been on the back burner for so long you don’t know how to access it, I’ll be providing daily coaching on how to tap into your creative gifts. Prior to the trip, you’ll receive access to the Creative Catalyst, an online course I’ve designed to help you reignite your creativity. The harmony between nature and architecture in the Cotswolds, unfolding drama of the English weather, and sheer beauty of the settings we will traverse throughout my Women’s Walking Retreat are a wellspring of inspiration for your creative endeavours. Hone your observation skills and attention to detail while walking through a landscape rife with inspirational jewels.

“A truly fantastic experience – highly recommended for the scenery, the company, and the time away where your only responsibility is to put one foot in front of the other, find joy in nature and breathe deeply. Thanks for following your passion and leading us Jaime. I think I left a piece of my heart somewhere on the Cotswold path.” – Laura W.

A woman who wants to celebrate the wins!

It’s tempting to finally reach a goal, give yourself a pat on the back, then barrel towards the next milestone without ever stopping to acknowledge the efforts, sacrifices, and connections made on the journey. My Women’s Walking Retreat serves not only as a reward for ambitions achieved, but an opportunity to take time for gratitude and reflection. The beauty of the Cotswolds will compel you to pause and drink in the stunning surroundings. Cozy accommodations and delicious locally-sourced food and drink round out the experience in a celebratory fashion. If you’ve accomplished something big, or overcome obstacles on your path, join me in the Cotswolds and we’ll toast to your wins!

A woman who loves to travel and meet new people.

If you’ve always wanted to visit the English countryside, you’re intrigued by the idea of walking from village to village, or you like the concept of slow travel as an alternative to a whirlwind tour or jam-packed holiday, my Women’s Walking Retreat fits the bill. It also attracts women from a wide range of age groups, cultural backgrounds, and walks of life. While the retreat is perfect for someone new to travel, it’s also designed so that travellers who want to strike out on their own can venture further afield or have an experience that is more tailored to their preferences. As I’ll be teaching about tapping into your creative gifts along the way, there will be opportunities to delve into the creative process which can provide seasoned travellers with new perspectives and experiences.

A woman experiencing heartache or loss.

If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, a season of life, a home, a job, or a dream, my Women’s Walking Retreat is designed so that those who are brokenhearted can be cared for and encouraged. From the serene landscape that beckons you to breathe deeply, to the quiet old churches that invite you to bask in their beauty and light, to the company of other women who can offer their support and presence, I designed this retreat to serve as a balm for the soul. My dear friend Yanez, a registered clinical counsellor, will be walking with us throughout the trip, and can be sought out by anyone who would like to utilize her services. I want to be especially sensitive to your loss, and want you to know that my Women’s Walking Retreat is an opportunity for you to experience the space and support you need during this time.

You may fit into one or many of these categories. I certainly did the first time I set foot in the English countryside. Maybe you don’t fit into any and still want to come. You are absolutely welcome no matter what your season or situation! God used this tranquil slice of countryside to touch me in such a lasting way that I can’t help but want to share it with other women. I hope you’ll join me on my Women’s Walking Retreat thought the Cotswolds — an extraordinary adventure that I trust will impact and inspire you for years to come.

Ready to book your spot? Click HERE for all the trip details you need!

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With my right hand nervously gripping the throttle of a lime green snowmobile, I tentatively circled a snowy clearing high up in the Sierra Nevada mountain range while Will and a couple of friends looked on. I spent my childhood in the Canadian prairies around snowmobiles but had never driven one myself until that moment. It dawned on me while I was maneuvering the machine over the serene white glade that it was the second weekend in a row I had done something new, and with some success to boot.

The weekend prior, I had, for the first time in my life, swam 50 laps while visiting my parents in Arizona. It was a new record for me, and came after at least a couple of years away from the pool. There were quite a few people around but I tried not to let that affect my momentum. I mentally held my insecurities at bay with each stroke, and kept adding more laps until I’d reached a number that left me stunned (and more than a little winded!). That experience gave me the confidence I needed to try taking the snowmobile out for a spin.

I generally don’t like to try new things in front of other people. I’m a perfectionist and I’m also fearful of being embarrassed. But I find that when I take small steps to build my confidence, I’m more willing to give things a go.

My husband has the sort of confidence I envy: he instinctively believes that he can attempt most things, and, if he works at them hard enough, experience some level of success. He isn’t cocky, takes advice well, and plows ahead regardless of others looking on or insecurities he might have. I admire his quiet confidence and want to to adopt this mentality more consistently over the next decade.

I’ve been excited about turning 40 for many years, and have wanted to find a way to commemorate this new decade for a while. But rather than force some contrived idea into fruition, I decided to just let an idea come to me. Finally, last weekend an idea clicked into place during that snowmobile drive around an alpine meadow.

“I know it’s easy to settle into the comfort of routines as one gets older, and there’s something very reassuring about being content within the rhythms I’ve created, but I also don’t want to become fearful of change and risk losing out on the adventures to ahead.”

This year, I am going to try and tackle 40 new things. Things I’ve always wanted to do, things that come up spontaneously, things I’ve never considered before, things that push me forward into this new season of life. They don’t always have to be physical, they don’t even have to be that exciting, they just need to inspire me and help me take small steps towards a more confident approach to life.

I believe this endeavour will not only help me to fight back against fear and insecurities, but help me live life to the fullest, tapping into gifts and abilities I’ve never fully recognized. I also believe that this approach to the coming year will help me discover new outlets for coping with anger, grief, and stress when they arise. It’s a preventative approach that I am confident will serve me well in the years to come. I am also hopeful that this pursuit will serve as an example to my kids, who I hope will live their lives with less fear of failure and embarrassment than I have.

Here is the list of things new things I’ve done since turning 40 two months ago:

Took a road trip to Mexico with Will, the kids, and some friends of ours.
Hiked in the desert among saguaro cacti (always wanted to see and photograph those!) with my mom.
Swam 50 laps in the pool while visiting my parents in Arizona.
Skied a new mountain for the first time, and skied for the first time in about 20 years.
Drove a snowmobile by myself.

And, here are some ideas of things I might want to do during the year ahead:

Walk the Golden Gate Bridge.
Take voice lessons.
Spend some time sketching art in the Legion of Honor.
Take the kids to Yosemite.
Sew the girls a couple of simple nightgowns.
Go shark watching for great whites in Monterey.
Bake a two-layer chocolate cake (if you have recipe recommendations, please send them my way….I am quite a novice baker).

This is not the beginning of a to-do list for the year. If I don’t accomplish any of these ideas before I turn 41, I’m fine with that. However, being naturally inclined to list-making, it felt appropriate to come up with a few possibiltles. In addition to a list, I want to be on the lookout for opportunities I may have never considered before, or that scare me just a little. I know it’s easy to settle into the comfort of routines as one gets older, and there’s something very reassuring about being content within the rhythms I’ve created, but I also don’t want to become fearful of change and risk losing out on the adventures to ahead.

If any of this resonates with you, and you too want to take a leap into a new adventure, perhaps my Women’s Walking Retreat is just the right opportunity for you. It’s low-key, filled to the brim with beauty and inspiration, and offers the perfect setting and pace to dream for what the future might hold. I would LOVE for you to join me so I can help make that a reality for you!

Click HERE for trip details.

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