Grief is a journey with no map. It moves in waves, sometimes overwhelming, sometimes quiet, but always present. Grief is a deeply personal experience, and everyone navigates it in their own way. Sometimes, having a space to share with others who understand can offer a sense of understanding and companionship as we carry it forward.
From June 5-8, 2025, those navigating grief are invited to join us at Grieving: Shadows & Sunlight, a retreat to support those navigating loss through writing, reflection, yoga and artistic expression.
A Community for Healing
Grief can be an isolating experience; for some, connecting with others who understand may offer a sense of shared understanding. At this retreat, we will have the opportunity to come together—to write, to create, to reflect, and to honor the people and experiences that have shaped our lives. Through guided discussions, personal storytelling, and creative exercises, participants will have the space to process their emotions in a supportive and understanding environment.
Guided by Experience
This retreat is guided by Lisa M. Bolt Simons, a writer, and Joleen Emery, an artist. Lisa has been living with grief for most of her life, and the ideas shared during the retreat come from her own experience—things she has done to navigate loss, not solutions or answers. Joleen brings creative expression and movement as additional ways to explore emotions. Together, they offer a gentle, open space where participants can engage with their grief in whatever way feels right for them.
Yoga will be offered as an optional part of the retreat, providing gentle movement designed for relaxation, rest, and moments of restoration. Led by Joleen Emery, a registered yoga teacher, these sessions invite participants to engage in simple, restorative practices that support both body and mind during times of deep emotion.
What to Expect
This retreat isn’t about finding quick solutions or “fixing” grief—it’s about exploring it, expressing it, and finding new ways to carry it forward. Activities include:
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Guided Discussions – Conversations about grief, loss, and healing in a judgment-free space.
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Journaling Workshops – Each participant receives a blank grief journal, with guided exercises to explore personal experiences.
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Creative Expression – Art-based explorations to process emotions beyond words.
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Stories & Reflections – Looking at grief through literature, film, and personal narratives.
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Honoring Those We’ve Lost – Finding meaningful ways to celebrate and remember loved ones.
Who Should Attend?
Anyone who has experienced loss and wants a creative, supportive space to explore their emotions. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or have never put pen to paper, this retreat is for those looking to explore their grief in words, images, or shared experiences.
Grief doesn’t have a timeline, and it doesn’t have to be faced alone. This retreat offers:
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A Supportive Community – A space where people truly understand the weight of loss.
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Creative Tools for Expression – Writing, art, and movement to help navigate grief.
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A Gentle, Restorative Space – Time away from every day responsibilities to focus on self-care and healing.
By the end of the weekend, each participant will leave with a handmade grief journal filled with reflections, memories, and personal insights—a resource to turn to on both the hard days and the days filled with sunlight.
Attending this retreat means stepping into a space where grief is acknowledged and honored, without expectation or pressure. While each person’s experience is their own, this retreat offers a sense of community—an opportunity to be among others who understand that loss is something we carry, not something to fix. Through writing, creative expression, and shared conversations, participants will have the chance to engage with their grief in whatever ways feel meaningful and supportive to them, with no right or wrong way to participate.
For more details and registration, visit Big Raven Farm’s event page.