So whoosh and the second retreat is here. For people who are new to the two SWAN groups or haven’t been able to come for whatever reason, there are a number of swans and soberista members meeting up tomorrow through to Sunday, in Yorkshire, UK, for a sober retreat to reflect on and enjoy life without alcohol. I started pulling people into it a good few months ago and it seemed a lifetime away!
Last year I was happy to organise one in Dorset and this year a few returners are coming again, but mostly the group is very new and many of us have never met, and frankly don’t even know what each other looks like! Seems crazy doesn’t it? But I guess the reason is really to take a flying jump out of our respective comfort zones, do something new and adventurous, and just see what happens.
For me personally it is a time to celebrate an upcoming two year soberversary on 20th July, and several of the others coming are also at the two year mark, or thereabouts. I hope that everyone coming has the chance to enjoy their personal milestones and gain strength from companionship. It may also be that some of us just choose to spend a bit of time alone, to reflect in the lovely surroundings, and that is good too.
I am delighted to hear from messages and posts that more events are going on, more meet ups and networking, and the swan collective is growing in such an organic and wonderful way. I hope that all the members of the two groups continue to enjoy fruitful and supportive relationships and even when there are difficult things to talk about and relationships to sort out, that in the end we all know that our true triumph is over alcohol addiction. So many very different people with different approaches and experiences and yet it all seems to work out in the end.
Sending warmest thoughts to all xxx
sober women awareness network (swan) 