My First Women’s Retreat in Morocco
Last month, I hosted my very first women’s retreat—and here’s what I learned.
In October, I launched Eunoia Chapters, a curated collection of intimate gatherings in stunning destinations around the world where synergy, growth, and bold conversations unfold among 12 participants, establishing an honest community of strong, resilient women. Born in Marrakech, it felt only natural to host the inaugural retreat in the place that shaped me, Morocco—the place that made me the woman I am today.
Five years ago, if you’d told me I’d be designing and leading women’s retreats, I would have laughed in disbelief. Back then, I was immersed in the start-up world, battling a male-dominated travel industry and working up the corporate ladder. My focus was on career growth, not self-growth. But as I approached my mid-thirties, I started to feel an emptiness. My days were out of balance, consumed by work, while my family life—my connection to myself as a mother and a woman—was fading. Hunched over a laptop for 15 hours a day, I lost touch with my femininity, with my path as a mother, and with my essence as a woman. I felt the weight of that loss, and it was heavy.
The first time this feeling had its release was on a solo road trip through Utah. I had rented a Jeep in late spring of 2023 and drove for miles alone through the desert. The quiet was deafening, and it mirrored the disconnection I felt with my true self. Without the illusion of “busy”, the loss of my centre bubbled up to the surface. That trip became a turning point. Unknowingly, I recalibrated my priorities. I knew then that I was missing something vital: space to honor my womanhood, to embrace it as a guiding force through life’s chapters.
I’ve been fortunate to live in various countries and meet incredible people—tribal chiefs in Ethiopia, neuroanatomists, and even the Dalai Lama. But the most transformative encounters have been with women—those on their own journeys of womanhood and uplifting fellow ladies in the process. Recently, I met the beautiful Nora Jaccaud, a talented French-Polish filmmaker, in southern Morocco. We spent a day exploring Kalaat M'Gouna, the Valley of Roses. Our time together was a reminder of the powerful connections I’ve formed with other women over the years. That spark—of ease, honesty, and mutual respect—was exactly what had been missing from my life.
It was in that moment that the idea for Eunoia Chapters took shape. It wasn’t yet a retreat, just a gathering of inspiring women. I didn’t know how it would unfold, but I knew that if I could connect so deeply with Nora in a matter of hours, she could have the same experience with other women in my life. I excitedly shared this theory with her during our drive back, rambling on: “If I can connect with you like this, and with Woman B, then you and Woman B will have the same experience. That’s my theory, and I’m going to test it this year. Somehow.”
True to her nature, Nora offered to help. This is what confident, kind women do—we uplift each other, share our ideas, and celebrate our collective success, especially in a world where we are often overshadowed in male-dominated spaces.
Months of planning, pitching to some of the most inspiring women of my life, and carefully curating a group of 12 women from diverse backgrounds culminated in a transformative retreat outside of Marrakech this past October. Each woman brought her own story, culture, language, and perspective, creating a rich tapestry of lives, priorities, spiritualities, and realities. We spent five unforgettable days in a beautiful riad, and here’s what I learned.
My theory was proven right and then some.
I believed that if I could connect deeply with Woman A and Woman B separately, then Woman A and Woman B would connect just as deeply with each other. And I was right—but on an entirely new level. Imagine that depth multiplied by 12. I was in awe, watching these connections unfold before me, like a living, breathing force in the heart of my homeland. It felt almost like a social experiment at first, as we gathered in a quiet circle, each of us stepping into the circle with our own energy—be it shame, fear, joy, anger, or excitement—and yet we welcomed each other with open arms. I could almost see the alchemy at work.
Over the five days, I bore witness of the magic 12 (an intentional number), connecting one-on-one with each other in a variety of settings and experiences. By the end, the women asked if we could make this an annual tradition. The connections were solidified—bonds formed for life. Are we all best friends? No. But we are a sacred web of women, forever interwoven by this transformative experience, held together by truth, honesty, and the power of femininity.
The Power of Relaxed Women is limitless.
When women come together in a space of absolute trust, where respect, humility, and open-heartedness reign, something magical unfolds. In this sacred space, pure intentions allow us to simply relax. And when women are at ease together, something extraordinary happens. It’s not just about syncing our cycles (note to self: stock up on sanitary items for the next retreat!), but about allowing our femininity to take its rightful place. When we prioritize it, it blooms—taking the shape it uniquely needs within each of us. In this space, we find comfort, not just in ourselves but with one another. Ideas flow effortlessly. Thoughts are exchanged freely. The weight of shame and guilt lifts. 12 distinct inner beauties intertwine, blending with a gentleness that empowers our confidence both individually and as a collective. There’s a raw power in relaxed women—one that, when nurtured, sets the stage for connection, growth, and profound transformation. It’s what we all needed at this stage of our lives, delivered individually to fulfill the different needs and voids we felt.
Dry Retreats are impactful.
With the rise of yoga retreats, wine tours through the south of France, and women’s gatherings around the world, I wanted my retreats to fill a unique space—one that embraces our femininity and encourages us to do the inner work needed to truly rest in it. I established two core guidelines for all of Eunoia Chapters: these are alcohol-free gatherings, designed to help us relax, lean on each other for joy and comfort, and avoid relying on external substances to regulate our emotions. I found this to be a deeply profound experience, with water as the only beverage offered. The simplicity of this rule isn’t for everyone, and I respect that.
Elegance Matters on a profound level.
Another guideline I introduced was elegance in dress. No jeans, leggings, or yoga pants (except during yoga sessions). Instead, wear your best—whatever that means to you. It’s known that the way we dress influences our spirit, guiding us to sit with grace, eat with elegance, speak eloquently, and think beautifully. For me, this meant bringing out my old, bejeweled kaftans and Uzbek cloaks. I knew the personal significance these garments held, but witnessing the magic of the 12 women dressed so beautifully—floating through the saffron fields and the riad—was awe-inspiring. The elegance created a physical nest of beauty whenever we gathered in our circles. There was no competition, only pure joy and admiration for our different tastes (and a bit of inspiration for future outfits).
Be the diamond that you are and shine.
We’re all uniquely cut diamonds, each with our own facets that reflect different aspects of our personality and character. Sometimes, our diamond half-fits into a setting, cushioning or concealing certain angles to find its place, as not everyone can or will see all of you. In this first chapter of Eunoia, my diamond was fully received and held in place. I saw myself reflected in each woman around me, received wholly by them, and appreciated with every facet exposed. My diamond found its true setting. I could truly just “be”.
Gathering with women and hosting them in Morocco was the experience of a lifetime. More importantly, for the first time, I allowed myself to simply be—all my edges laid bare—and was accepted, validated, and loved for every angle of who I am. This reminded me how beautiful life is when your intentions are aligned, when you seek beauty and when you choose to surround yourself with souls who take joy in seeing you shine.
Photo by Nora Jaccaud.
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