Stretching Forward Retreats

02/16/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮
Intention: I do not have to fill every moment.
𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝘾𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚):
Step outside or look out a window. Notice three things you can see, two things you can hear, and one thing you can feel in your body. Allow a little space to open before you move on.
𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
You will never be younger than you are today. If you had started a painting or a new hobby ten years ago, how would you feel today? When you give yourself space instead of rushing, what does "Younger You" whisper?
𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁:
What is one "small spark" of joy I’ve ignored lately because I thought I was 'too old' or 'too busy' for it?

02/15/2026

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭: 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗱
Intention: A little more space.
𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 (𝘼𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜):
Sit quietly. Place one hand on your heart and one on your belly. Take five slow breaths. With each exhale, soften your shoulders, your jaw, and your hands. Give yourself permission to be here.
𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
As a nurse, I know you can’t heal a wound if it’s covered by an old, tight bandage. What are you carrying today that feels too heavy? Write it down. Then imagine yourself gently laying it down, even if only for today.
𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁:
If I allowed myself to put this "heavy thing" down for good, what is the very first thing I would do with my newfound energy?

02/15/2026

Seven Days of Serenity: A Week of Gentle Reflection
𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵:
A gentle rhythm for returning to yourself
This is not about fixing or achieving.
It’s about creating small daily pauses where serenity has room to meet you.

Consider using a journal, computer, or scrap paper to write your thoughts down as you go through each of the seven days.

Each day includes:
a simple intention
a brief practice (5–15 minutes)
an invitation to reflect, not perform.

See you tomorrow morning!

02/14/2026

Over the next 7 days, I will post one small "stretch" each morning. Think of these as daily check-ins for your spirit - short, gentle reflections to help you move out of autopilot and back into your own life. You might consider using a journal to jot down your thoughts each day.
We start tomorrow with Day 1: 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗱.
Until then, take a deep breath.
You’ve already begun.

02/12/2026

This speaks to me so I had to share. We all need to float sometimes. Take a deep breath, relax your shoulders, and take a minute just for you.

02/12/2026

Ready to reconnect with yourself? Join us here for Seven Days of Serenity starting February 15!
A seven-day reflection guide will arrive one day at a time because I know what it’s like to feel like you’re "stretching" for everyone but yourself. Sometimes, the hardest part of finding your passion isn't the doing, it’s the becoming quiet enough to hear what your soul actually wants.

01/29/2026

While we are staying warm, it's time to consider our next step - for more details please go to www.stretchingforwardspirit.com

01/27/2026

Why 'me-time' is actually a necessity.

The Anatomy of a Retreat: Why Your Need a Reset

For 19 years, I taught nurses and students about the human body as well as compassionate human connection. The more I taught, the more I noticed a recurring truth: The body cannot heal in an environment of constant stress.

As women, we live in a state of "High Alert." Our internal monitors are constantly scanning for the needs of our families, our workplaces, and our communities. Eventually, our battery runs low.

When I developed Stretching Forward, I wanted to create a space that wasn't just "nice to have," but was a necessity for the spirit. Here is what actually happens to you when you step away for a retreat.

1. From "Fight or Flight" to "Rest and Digest"
Your heart rate slows, your blood pressure stabilizes, and your digestive system functions better. When you sit quietly and breathe, you are literally giving your heart a much-needed break.

2. The Stress Hormone "Wash"
Solitude and silence "wash"stress hormones from your system. By replacing the noise of life with the sounds of quiet and nature, you are lowering the inflammation in your body.

3. Neuroplasticity and a New Habit
The brain is remarkably flexible. My mantra,“You will never be younger than you are today,”isn’t just a quote but a mindset shift. When we practice finding purpose, embracing our lives, or new habits of celebration during a retreat, we are carving new neural pathways. We are training our brains to look for joy rather than just looking for the next problem to fix.

4. The Power of "Social Health"
Isolation is as dangerous to our health as smoking. Being part of a community of women who are also "stretching forward" provides a sense of belonging that boosts our immune systems. Connection releases oxytocin (the "cuddle hormone"), which acts as a natural buffer against anxiety and depression.

Take the time. A retreat isn't a luxury; it’s a vital part of your healthcare. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with the woman you are now and prepare for the woman you are becoming.

Pause. Recharge. Embrace and Celebrate YOU.

At a Stretching Forward retreat, you’ll find space to reflect, reconnect, and take your next step with energy and joy.
Go to www.stretchingforwardspirit.com for details on the upcoming retreats, FINDING PURPOSE TODAY and EMBRACING YOUR LIFE.

Retreats designed specifically for women who are ready to prioritize self-care and well-being.

01/23/2026

FINDING PURPOSE TODAY . . .
Purpose evolves as we age and grow wiser. It’s not about reinventing ourselves or chasing a long-held dream. Purpose doesn’t arrive in one clear answer. Instead, it comes slowly through pauses, questions, and moments of stillness. Sometimes purpose whispers, and we can only hear it when we allow ourselves to stop and listen.
Purpose also doesn’t mean staying busy. In fact, it often asks just the opposite. It invites us to listen to our bodies, our spirits, and the quiet nudges that lead us toward peace. Those nudges matter, and they deserve our time and attention.
There is no finish line to reach. We are simply called to show up each day with openness and curiosity, gently stretching forward into what is being revealed. Some women find clarity while walking outdoors, others through meditation, yoga, or prayer. Still others turn to journaling as a way to express what lives beneath the surface. There is no one right way.
We find the freedom to let go of expectations, to stop comparing our journey to other women, and to trust that we are exactly where we need to be. We don’t have to have everything figured out. Purpose unfolds one day at a time as we continue stretching forward, listening, and trusting the process.
This is the heart of Stretching Forward - creating space to pause, reflect, and listen for what is calling us now. It is an invitation to honor where we’ve been, to be fully present today, and to move gently toward what lies ahead.
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Where in your life might you be invited to pause, listen, and gently stretch forward today?

01/11/2026

Pause. Reflect. Renew.

What is calling you now? 🌿

Join us on March 28 for Finding Purpose Today, a one-day retreat focused on contemplation and community. Together, we’ll examine the gifts you offer the world, explore the roadblocks in your path, and honor the resilience found in every stage of life.
Step away from the noise and return to your life feeling renewed and ready to continue your journey with grace and stretch forward with gratitude and purpose.

Contact Diane via email at stretchingforwardretreat@gmail.com.
For more information, go to www.stretchingforwardspirit.com/purpose.

01/08/2026

It’s time for you. Take time in 2026 to join a Stretching Forward Retreat.

At Bay Village, Ohio
Finding Purpose Today. Sat, March 7

At Lakeside, Ohio
Embracing Your Life. April 24-26

Celebrate What’s Right With Your World
October 16-18

Go to www.stretchingforwardspirit.com for more details.