Sarah's Story and Creation of "The Koru Journey"

I’d like to share the profound experiences that led me to create ‘The Koru Journey’.

It all started in Vermont, when I stumbled upon a fridge magnet advertising a Himalayan salt cave at our rental. At the time I was engulfed in the demands of motherhood, raising three young children and intrigued by the opportunity. With my family’s help to care for my three children,  I seized the chance to embark on a solo adventure to the salt cave. 

Nestled in an infinity chair, wrapped in a cosy blanket, surrounded by silence and salt, I found solace. This marked my first deliberate choice to truly prioritise myself since becoming a mother. This experience served as a catalyst, pushing me to seek more quiet and peaceful moments of solitude.  

Soon after, I started booking regular trips to explore every bath house + spa around the GTA, overnight trips to clean, quiet hotels, and a serene beachside Airbnb in Collingwood. These escapes provided a quiet space to hear my thoughts, enjoy quality sleep, savour meals, soak in hot water, and simply bask in the beauty of nature.

The next pivotal moment was during a trip to Costa Rica with my sister. It was the longest I'd been away from my kids, my youngest was around 4 at the time. The week-long escape became a profound exploration of deep rest, surrounded by the jungle and ocean. An afternoon ritual of unwinding in a king-size bed, naked and carefree, unveiled the realisation of the necessity for such extravagant rest.

One evening, surrounded by the vibrant sights and sounds of the Costa Rican jungle, I savoured a glass of crisp white wine while standing beneath the invigorating cascade of a hot shower. I was flooded with the understanding that this level of rest and rejuvenation was not just a luxury but a crucial need for women. As tears streamed from my eyes, my heart was moved to share this essential message with other women, strapped down by the constant hustle of doing. This truth opened me up to discover the passions that laid dormant within me. A new fire within, I began to risk and dream bigger.

Following my longing for adventure, my family and I took a six-month break from city life to focus on rest and play. A spontaneous message to a random Airbnb host allowed us to live in a beautiful oceanfront oasis in New Zealand. This extended period of rest opened up a new realm of creativity within me. Daily beach walks dipping my feet or full body into the water healed and tethered me. The ocean’s powerful life force served as a nurturing womb and sanctuary.  

Unable to engage in physical work, I started writing, culminating in a mini guide for postpartum moms and a journal. New Zealand's unique lifestyle, resembling a step back in time, with its communal spirit, rugged landscape, indigenous culture, and barefoot living, transformed my perspective. It became clear that I couldn't revert to my previous life; the newfound creativity was too precious to abandon.

Towards the end of my New Zealand adventure, I attended a retreat with older women who served as spiritual directors. A day spent in meditation and nature revealed the concept of the koru fern, symbolising new life. Sitting at the feet of these wise women, I experienced profound wisdom, companionship, and a shift in my perspective on aging.

Inspired by this, I initiated a retreat offering called: daring to rest, echoing the transformative experience I received. I wanted others to find solitude, connect with nature, meditate, and explore their hearts' desires. This, in essence, is the motivation behind the retreats I organise – a desire to share the life-changing gifts I received with others. It’s my desire to create spaces of beauty and nourishment for the soul. 

Through all those events I gained a new part of my identity and discovered myself a bit deeper. Finding my voice, passion, and gave time and space for creative expression. Let myself dream, gave permission to be a new version of myself and let old parts die.

The journey continues as I now head into midlife, turning 40. I want to offer and illuminate a pathway. It has been the greatest gift I’ve given myself to risk this journey. To be in tune with myself, aligned with my hearts cry. Because of the moments of silence in the darkness, time spent in nature, deep rest, I’ve become gentler, humbler, more peaceful, kinder to myself and others, more creative, and bolder to speak truths.

While I'm not currently surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand, I want to emphasise how I'm integrating the lessons learned from my experiences into my present life. During my time in New Zealand, I made it a daily ritual to enjoy my coffee on the deck with an ocean view, witnessing the sunrise. Now, in Toronto, even during the winter, I've incorporated a similar practice. Each morning, I step outside with my coffee, feeling the earth under my feet. Taking a moment to appreciate the sunrise, observe the birds, and gaze at the stars and moon. The rustling of the wind in the trees allows me to feel that same connection to nature, love and peace. Remembering, no matter how dark the night, the sun always rises with new mercies in the morning.

I find it essential to convey this aspect of my journey — the idea that regardless of our physical location, we can transport ourselves back to moments of beauty and meaning. It's about taking the time to be still, notice, awaken to our senses and immerse ourselves in nature, even within the city. By doing so, I believe we can draw strength and beauty from those memories, fostering a connection to joy, peace, and tranquillity. Essentially, envisioning the places we've been in our mind's eye allows us to tap into the essence of those moments, bringing us back to that sense of connection anytime we need it. These themes of nature, solitude, and stillness continue to play a significant role in my life today.