As we close the book on the first year since launching Retreat Yourself, I can’t help but feel overcome with joy about how far we’ve come. I need to give thanks to every brand, generous entrepreneur and collaborator who have invested their time and energy into the box, not to mention the beautiful customers who have supported us over the journey.
And what a journey it’s been so far. Exhilarating. Frightening. Nerve-wracking. Exciting. Things haven’t always been peaches and roses, but what fun would it be if everything always went to plan? It’s from these challenging circumstances that we learn and grow the most. Instead of reacting to every hiccup with stress and overwhelm, we’ve chosen to respond to stressful situations in as calm a state as possible with the trust that everything will be as it’s meant. Attitude is the one thing that can make or break a business, so we’ve chosen to harness ours and allow it to propel us forward.
As I’m sure you can relate; I often find myself in a balancing act of life, business and health. In order to live authentically and show up as the best version of me, I have to come back to the very thing that this business is based on – finding a slice of retreat in my every day and putting my health and wellbeing first.
Health is a complete package. It’s the food you eat, the way you look after your skin and the amount of exercise you do. It is also a state of mind. True and complete health is embodied by your thoughts and feelings about yourself; the level of respect and care you pay yourself; and the richness with which you live your life, make mistakes, and laugh wildly about them later on. It’s how many risks you take and how much you believe in yourself.
My vision for Retreat Yourself is to inspire people to live their healthiest, most fulfilled lives. And while that remains a key philosophy, so does the idea of living differently – of pursuing your dreams and challenging the status quo. I can only dream that you are as inspired as I am by the small Australian brands and entrepreneurs we feature in ours boxes, knowing that it’s people just like you and me that have created these wonderful products. Remembering that you too can chase your dreams and create your own vision.
As we enter the New Year, I ask you to ponder this question: “what would I do with my life if I knew I could not fail?” Remembering that life has got your back and that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
Please find some time to swim in the ocean, enjoy the warmth and feel the sand between your toes this summer.
Enjoy yourself, live brightly, dream big. Let’s make 2017 our best year yet!
Kate x
