Painting on Lady Elliot Island!

Wow, what an amazing week it’s been!

Going to Lady Elliot Island was one of those experiences that are so wonderful, amazing, restorative and touching – they are difficult to put into words to share the full breadth and depth of the joy they brought.

I loved it. Fiona, my retreat client, loved it.

We snorkelled, saw a black-tipped reef shark (surprise! ~ thankfully they are harmless), swam right up close with loggerhead and green turtles, gazed at blue starfish and iridescent clams, oh, and we painted!

We played with watercolours and acrylics and drew inspiration from the reef to create paintings with the tropical island as our backdrop. We slowed down, because there’s barely any phone or internet reception (you have to walk across the island to the lighthouse), we ate like queens with the delicious full buffets for breakfast and dinner, and felt our shoulders drop as we relaxed for four magical days.

When I went to Lady Elliot Island the first time, two years ago, I had a flash of an idea.

I remember it so clearly, because it felt like it shot straight into my heart and soul (I know that sounds dramatic, but it felt so powerful – I remember how my body felt – alive, alert and yet peaceful at the same time) while snorkelling through an area called Coral Gardens. My idea?

I wanted to host painting retreats on the island.

It seemed like a venture that would be fun, but also felt very daunting at the same time. I couldn’t get my head around how to fly the art materials there, work with the resort to make sure we had permission to paint (that felt so scary to me – just asking permission), and actually find the people who would want to come. And yet, the idea had surfaced and I mentioned it on a call with my mastermind buddies Amanda and Naomi when I got back.

Little did I know at the time, I would soon move to Tamworth and go through a period when my heart would break, as I longed to be near the coast and to be reunited with my husband who was working 12 hour days in another town. I missed him. I missed the water. I missed my friends and my Mum.

My dream of hosting retreats on Lady Elliot Island felt soooo far away, as I was surrounded by flat, dry, very empty landscapes. The closest we could get to water was Lake Keepit, about an hour out of town. Andrew thought he’d take me there for our anniversary, but after a horrific visit, we were joking they could ‘keep it’ to themselves. The flies, smell of rotting vegetation (incredibly similar to cow manure) left a very bad taste in our mouths.

Ahhhh…. Lady Elliot Island, where were you?

The idea began to fade into the background as my focus shifted to just getting through the days as best I could, while trying to find a way out of the dark place with my mental health I’d found myself in.

Then, this idea to live on a boat came along, and all of a sudden, Lady Elliot Island seemed closer again. My natural enthusiasm for life returned as my soul was restored by the water and being with my husband.

During one of our mastermind calls I mentioned it again to Amanda and Naomi, and their support (including Amanda’s enthusiasm about coming on a group retreat with me there), gave me the courage to revisit the idea. Having peers who encourage you to follow your heart (including stepping outside of your comfort zone when necessary), and do things in the world that are in alignment with your values and lifestyle, is so precious. I am forever grateful for their support and love and encouragement.

And last weekend Fiona, my wonderful, funny and delightful client, and I got to spend three nights and three days exploring, snorkelling, having adventures, being creative and playing. We both loved every minute of it (well, Fiona did again once she got to go to the bar to have a drink after seeing the reef shark!)

Thank you, Amanda and Naomi for holding the vision that I could do it and helping me try something new. The resort was incredible, the staff were so friendly, and now I know I could easily host a group painting retreat there in future.

As you may know, Amanda, Naomi and I have opened our lovely supportive mastermind group to new members. Our Gentle Business Mastermind has been filling with beautiful members from all around the world including Australia, Canada, Japan, Thailand and America. We would love to have you join us too. The doors close tomorrow, so be quick. You can see all the details and enrol here. We would be so delighted to support you in following your heart and shaping a business that fits in with your personality, values and lifestyle.

If you are looking to join Marie Forleo’s B-School this year, we are delighted to be offering the Gentle Business Mastermind as our bonus if you decide to enrol through our affiliate link. You can read more about why we all love B-School so much and the details of our bonus here. B-School enrolments also close soon – in a few hours I think? – so don’t delay if you want to join in.

And if you would like to come on a painting retreat with me to Lady Elliot Island, you are welcome to book into a private VIP retreat here – we would have sooooo much fun together! Truly, it’s an experience you’ll never forget and will touch your soul in so many ways.

I would love it too, if you could let me if know you’re interested in a Group Painting Retreat there later in the year. I’m in the midst of working out details, but I am aiming for it to be priced around $2600AUD. Just send me an email or private message, I’d love to hear from you! Of course there would be no pressure to join when the dates roll around, but brainstorming the idea and hearing what you’d be interested in will help me craft a truly special and unforgettable painting retreat experience.

Well, that’s all for now. Thanks for sharing the highs and the lows, the trials and the celebrations with me. I feel like I’m floating (over the coral and tropical fish) after such a magical weekend away.

Wishing you a wonderful, creative day!

~ Nicola x