My reflection on a leap of faith I took a couple of years ago
Last week, I did something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. I gathered people from my creative community together.
Two years and three days ago, I took a leap of faith. I started Retreat with Meg with a simple vision: create spaces where people could show up for their creativity, their stories and their growth. I didn’t know exactly what it would become, but I trusted the process. The retreats were the beginning of something wonderful for me and so many creatives.
Last week, my inaugural Let’s Gather brought together past and present clients –people who’ve attended retreats, members of my Creative Empowerment Program, those I’ve coached, writers whose stories I’ve edited, and everyone who’s shown up to Writing Momentum sessions. Different doors, different journeys – but all those who could come in the same room for the first time.
I looked around that room and watched the conversations between these beautiful creatives unfold. The fact that I have been a part of their creative lives, and have helped people come in from isolation, overwhelmed me. How lucky am I to be a part of this?!
Over the last two years, in addition to the editing I was already doing and retreats, I’ve added more ways to help writers: 1:1 and group coaching, regular workshops, a podcast and more. I undertook further study in mindset and life coaching, and in group dynamics. I stretched my wings, reminding myself yet again that when I take risks – like jumping off metaphorical cliffs – I have wings and it’s always an exhilarating ride. It all speaks to what I now know is what my mission is: to empower, elevate and educate creatives.
My mission is to empower, elevate and educate creatives
Meg Dunley
The numbers from the last two years
The numbers from the last two years still astonish me:
- 137 people attended 30 free events
- 11 writing retreats
- 56 people attended my retreats (11 returned for more)
- 460+ hours of one-on-one coaching with 112 clients
- 18 people completed the Creative Empowerment Program
- 11 group coaching sessions
- 340,000+ words of stories edited
- 10 podcast episodes.
But last week’s celebration wasn’t about the numbers, though those numbers still astonish me. It was about the people behind them. Each person came to me through different doors: retreats, coaching, editing, Writing Momentum sessions, or free events. Everyone in the room, and everyone I have worked with has had different journeys to their creativity and are all creating beautiful unique things.
What I have discovered over these last two years is that they are seeking the same thing: community and the space to fully become their creative selves.
Gratefulness
What I’m grateful for:
- Clients who trusted me with their stories, their growth, their most vulnerable creative work.
- The courage it takes to say “yes” to yourself.
- Watching people discover they’re part of something bigger than their individual journey.
- Building a community where connection and creativity fuel each other.
While I’ve had the gift of witnessing each person’s journey, they haven’t always had the chance to see each other to realise they’re part of something bigger than their individual experience. Yesterday changed that.
We shared a journal where people were invited to reflect on their year of creativity. Some signed their names, some used initials, some anonymous. All of it mattered. All of it belonged.
The energy in that room – the recognition, the warmth, the creative spark when people who’d never met discovered their parallel journeys – that’s what happens when you trust your intuition and create the spaces you wish existed.
Two years ago, I didn’t know if anyone would come. Last week as I looked around, I saw the great conversations people were having and thought: we’re just getting started. This is what we as creatives. Community.
Thank you to everyone who’s trusted me with your creativity, your growth, your stories. Thank you for saying “let’s” with me.
Let’s Gather is now a twice-yearly tradition – because community isn’t built in isolation. It’s built in rooms like yesterday’s, where we finally see each other.
If you’ve been curious about Retreat with Meg (2 spots open for November 20-23 at Karma in Kinglake) or the Creative Empowerment Program (3 coaching spots available now), please reach out. I’d love to talk about what might be possible for you to fully live your creative life.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is trust the leap.
x M