Mackinac Island

I spent the week on Mackinac Island at a writing retreat. To say it was incredible is an understatement.

It was not only restorative but generative. In the morning, we had our workshops, and I was inspired by the stories we read and the other writers. In the afternoon, we went on adventures. We hiked, kayaked, and rode our bikes around the island.

I was busy but not in a hurried way. Spending time on the island is like going back in time. There are no cars, only horse-drawn carriages. You hear the clip-clop of the hooves, smell the manure, and see the stars sparkling over the water at night. It was a true removal from the chaos of my life and the world.

Some may say it's a luxury to get away for a writing retreat, but I feel like it's a necessity. Every once in a while, I have to feed my creative spirit, fill my cup. The more often I can do it, the better my writing is.

I also learned a few things this week. I've always been hesitant to share work that isn't polished (or what I would call "done"). Anything in rough draft form? No way you're seeing it. But this week, spending time with other talented writers who allowed themselves to be vulnerable and share, inspired me to do the same. It was freeing. And I think that experience will remind me to be kinder to myself and choose to be vulnerable.

Just getting the words on the page is an accomplishment. But putting them out into the world is pure joy.