Reorientation Retreats
reorientation: changing direction to find a fresh set of attitudes and beliefs
retreat: a peaceful, private place for rest and focus
Reorientation Retreat:
Work/Life
September 10, 2023
10:00am-4:00pm
Seattle, Washington
registration deadline: Sep 4 (11:59pm EDT)
limited capacity: register early to guarantee your spot
Reorientation Retreats help you address familiar issues from new perspectives.
Reorientation Retreat: Work/Life
Burned out or questioning how work fits into your life?
Wish you felt defined by something other than your job title?
Want work to feel different but not sure how?
🙋🏾♀️🙋🏻🙋🏽♂️
This retreat is your dedicated time to thoughtfully, playfully, bravely explore how you want your work to meet your life.
Whether you’re
starting a new role
applying for jobs
changing fields
seeking professional reflection
this day is for you.
Included in the day:
🤸🏼 creative workshops
💨🌳 nature-based experiences
✍🏿 solo writing time
🥙 ☕️ lunch, caffeine & snacks
Locale
Our space for the day is a calm and beautiful private home in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle (please note: there are steps to get inside). We’ll make creative use of indoor and outdoor space for our day full of thought- and fun-provoking sessions, which will include both group conversation and independent time.
Introverts and folks who like to stay quiet are more than welcome. Participation won’t be forced. The goal of this day is for you to do some self-reflection and leave with a new sense of clarity about the relationship you want to have with work.
The other goal is to have a good time.
Approach
I lead experiences that are unexpected and creative. That involves multiple learning styles, a combination of disciplines, and hopefully something that sends everyone home with a sense of surprise.
Throughout the day, you’ll be invited to respond via talk, writing, drawing, and movement. And in keeping with the spirit of invitation, each of those modes will be entirely opt-in. There’s no test at the end. No one’s checking your work.
You control the retreat you have.
The day will be full, but not hectic. None of us can integrate new ideas and realizations without some space and breathing room.
We’ll be taking advantage of the local area to do some reflecting in nature along with the indoor portions of our gathering.
I use a variety of tools to create a day that is multi-sensory, meets you where you’re at, and helps guide your forward on your own path.
It’s your chance to think and feel toward your next actions.
The tools for reflection, creativity, and expression that make up this day are open to people working in any field.
No prior creative experience is needed, and no one will be pressured to do anything they’re not comfortable doing.
Ask yourself if you’re feeling burned out, full of uncertainty, or caught up in the whirlwind of the last few years and needing time to stop and think. Yes?
This day is for you.
Your Host
“I surprised myself by getting a new perspective than I usually have. This retreat gave me the chance to … think about new questions, be vulnerable and open. I’m leaving our time together thinking about how I can approach life differently, with new perspective. Rachel is a thoughtful facilitator. She is well read and has a great deal of tools in her toolbox to help others move through the challenges and opportunities life hands each of us. The day was meaningful, rejuvenating, and thoughtful.”
— Andrea Kovalsky, Director of Development, JDC Entwine
“This retreat gave me the chance to put some structure around thinking about what I want to focus on in the years ahead. It was relaxing, illuminating, and motivating. If you’re curious about working with Rachel, adopt my core value of openness and give it a try. She has a very diverse toolbelt of approaches to asking, exploring, and answering questions.”
— Elisabeth Nevins, Principal, Seed Education Consulting
“[Rachel] offers concrete suggestions that help people go forward and think anew. [She] synthesizes and finds possibilities on the fly, a wondrous think to watch in action. What a gift to be able to do so, and this is a key skill for any facilitator. One that I believe is rare to find—and trust me, I’ve seen a lot of facilitators in my day. [Her] generosity is endlessly valuable and … wields magic.”
— Dr Susan Spero, Emerita Professor and Chair, Museum Studies program at John F. Kennedy University
About your host:
I’m an educator, facilitator, adventurer, experience builder, and pirate 🏴☠️ who brings strategic, playful, and progressive approaches to catalyzing change in arts and culture.
I create spaces where people can feel comfortable and inspired. I center equity and experimentation, and I’m known as an empathetic listener, an adaptive leader, and a people-oriented direct communicator.
Before heading out on my own, I worked for over a dozen years in various institutional museum education roles. Most recently, I was the Learning Director at the Aspen Art Museum into and throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve previously worked at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Brooklyn Museum, MoMA, and the Met in New York; Dulwich Picture Gallery and The Courtauld Gallery in London; Smarthistory/the Khan Academy online; and several high-end educational travel companies. I’ve also taught museum education at Pratt Institute, served on the New York City Museum Educators Roundtable board, and led professional development sessions for local and national organizations including NYCMER, the Museum Computer Network, and the American Alliance of Museums.
Value
A transparent word about pricing:
I encourage you to consider this day an investment in yourself.
Many of us are fine spending money on a gym membership, therapy, acupuncture, or other wellness offerings, but we don’t always feel the same when it comes to our personal and professional development.
This kind of self-reflection opportunity has physical, emotional, and psychological health benefits, too.
You’re worth it.
I offer a tiered pricing model, and a percentage of all payments goes toward carbon removal. The experience of the retreat is the same for everyone, regardless of how much you choose to pay, and no questions will be asked or proofs required along with your payment.
Root Level
$340
Roots are the foundations and support for growing, connected things.
For folks who want to prioritize time for their own individual professional development.
Mycelium Level
$400
Mycelium is the underground network of fibers between mushrooms that distributes nutrients where they’re most needed.
For folks who want to invest in themselves and also make the retreat available to others in tighter circumstances.
Epiphyte Level
$280
Epiphytes are plants that grow symbiotically on other plants, relying on them for a physical link but obtaining their own sustaining nutrients.
For folks whose finances are stretched and/or for BIPOC folks or people whose identities have been historically marginalized.
FAQ
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This retreat is a private opportunity for up to 10 people.
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The retreat day follows a carefully planned series of sessions that are designed to feed into each other. Please be prepared to stay with us from 10am-4pm, but there will be space and breaks for individual time built in.
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This retreat is designed for individuals. If you’re interested in a similar experience with your department, Mastermind group, organization, or other team, please reach out. I’d love to work out something for your specific needs.
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I don’t. I’m taking on all the costs of this myself without any outside financial support. If money is a concern, I hope you’ll still consider the Epiphyte Level, which is the most affordable way to join. If you’re an eagle eyed reader who’s made it this far, you can use the code WORKLIFEeagle for $25 off any registration tier.
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Ask me! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any inquiries.