Hello Friends,

You may have noticed that I’ve been away from this space I lovingly created over three years ago.  I’ve had lots of distractions, transitions and some crisis in the past 3-4 years.  It’s hard to tell folks about your sad life when we live in a world of “Facebook Gladness.” Well, some know that my sadness includes a separation and now pending divorce after 29 years of marriage, children leaving the nest, a new job, relocation to a new city and extended family stuff that needed attention.  All of this activity created within me pain, anger, fear, anxiety, grief, loss, guilt and loneliness.  Did I say depression?  As you may know, depression looks different on everybody.  I was not myself, Kathy, the person I knew so I hid that person I had become.  Life does that to us sometimes and sometimes we don’t emerge for a while.

Just so you know, prior to and during all of the changes that have taken place I was gaining clarity, and my gut instincts and awareness started kicking in.  I was directed to put some things down so I could pick other things up. It was time for a new direction out of the struggle.  Don’t get me wrong, each step I’ve taken in the last 3 to 4 years brought on some of the darkest days of my life—but I saw that there was light at the end of a very long and beautiful path.

I’ve returned to Wellside Retreats, which has always been here for me—since I created it.  My ongoing adventure will include sharing in this forum as I continue picking myself up.  I will share ways to break away that support us in gaining new and fresh perspectives as we deepen our commitment to self-care and self-love.   In fact, Wellside Retreats will be a space where wellness and self-care happens. 

I hope that you will come away with me, literally, as I create through this virtual space physical places for respite, relaxation, rejuvenation and lots of fun!  My mantra now is: if I’m not having fun, then I shouldn’t be doing it!   

Wellside Retreats will BEGIN AGAIN – just as I have, in the days, weeks and months ahead.  Through my posts and notes I’ll invite you to events, share information on self-care while I create exciting experiential self-care and personal growth outings and retreats. Stay tuned and stay well.

Love to You,

-Kathy

Kathy A. Hampton