One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "How long does it take to heal from divorce?" The truth is that there isn't a simple answer. I've met people who are still angry and bitter twenty years after their divorce, and I've met others who have gone on to create fabulous new lives for themselves within a few years. That's because healing isn't determined by how much time has passed. It's determined by what you choose to do with that time. One of the reasons I feel so stro

One of the biggest misconceptions about divorce is that you're grieving the person. Of course there is sadness when a marriage ends, but looking back on my own experience, I realised that wasn't what I was grieving the most. What I was really grieving was the future I thought I was going to have. During my marriage, I spent hours searching for a large family apartment in Lisbon. It wasn't a fantasy or a passing idea. It was something we had talked about and planned for years.

There’s a stubborn quiet inside too many men—a pressure to hold steady, to keep the wheels turning, to fix what’s broken without admitting it’s broken at all. For decades that quiet was filled with jokes, overtime, late nights at the bar, or numbing routines. Now that silence is cracking. Increasingly, men are choosing transformational retreats instead of carrying private pain alone—and it’s changing how they recover, connect, and rebuild. The silent struggles no one sees Men

Grief is a sneaky visitor. It shows up uninvited, overstays its welcome, and sometimes rearranges your entire emotional furniture. When heartbreak, loss, or divorce knocks you sideways, it’s tempting to just tough it out solo. But what if there’s a gentler, more nurturing way to navigate this storm? Enter grief retreats a sanctuary where healing isn’t just a buzzword but a lived experience. Today, I’m diving into why grief retreats are worth considering, especially if you’re

I spend so much time telling other people to put boundaries in place, and then recently I realised I wasn’t even doing it myself. I think as mothers especially, we get so used to being needed that after a while it almost becomes part of who we are. We fix problems, calm people down and carry everyone else’s emotions whilst quietly ignoring our own. Before you know it, you feel emotionally exhausted and you can’t work out why your own anxiety is through the roof. I really noti

Heartbreak, grief, and divorce – they all hit like a storm you never saw coming. One moment, life feels steady, and the next, you’re navigating a sea of emotions that can feel overwhelming. If you’ve ever wished for a pause button, a safe harbour where you could just breathe and heal, you’re not alone. That’s where emotional recovery retreats come in. These retreats are more than just a getaway; they’re a lifeline, a chance to reset, rebuild, and rediscover your strength. So,

I’ve just turned 54, and two weeks ago I did something that still surprises me when I say it out loud. I completed a three-day scuba diving course with Koh Tao Scuba Diving . This was a big deal. I’ve never been someone who loved swimming in the sea, and going underwater was firmly in the “not for me” category. Fear, comfort zones, excuses, I’ve used them all at different points in my life. But something has shifted over the years. My courage has grown, my appetite for life h

As we move towards 2026, many of us start reflecting on how the years have passed and how often our own health and well-being have quietly slipped down the list. Not because we didn’t care, but because we got used to coping, managing, and carrying on. We often tell ourselves we’ll focus on ourselves once the children are grown and have left the nest. Then one day that moment arrives, and many women find themselves standing there alone, wondering what comes next. If that’s whe

There comes a point where saying no stops protecting you and starts shrinking you. It doesn’t happen all at once. It happens quietly, over time. You tell yourself you’re being sensible, keeping the peace, and putting everyone else first. And before you realise it, years have passed and your world has grown smaller while everyone else’s has kept moving. Those years aren’t wasted because you were weak. They’re wasted because you learned how to survive by putting yourself last.

When your life blows up—divorce, heartbreak, or one of those moments you never imagined you’d have to survive, it hits every part of you. You don’t just lose a partner. You lose your best friend, your travel person, your routine, and the version of you that made sense. The silence lands differently. Weekends suddenly feel never-ending. Even walking into the kitchen feels like stepping into someone else’s life. And that’s usually the point where most women shut down. They stay

For the past five years, Mending Hearts has grown into one of the leading divorce and grief retreats in the world, helping people rebuild after heartbreak, loss, and major life changes. Five years ago, I was sitting in the middle of my divorce wondering what the hell my life was going to look like. I couldn’t stay at home, it was full of memories, his stuff, and sadness. So I did the only thing that made sense to me at the time: I travelled. I was free, and I wasn’t going to

Now that our September Morocco retreat has sold out, I’m back on the hunt for the next venue this time in Thailand. Phang Nga bay...

My Divorce Recovery Journey and Learning To Only Look Forward

Grief isn’t just an emotion; it’s a full-body, full-mind experience that changes how you see the world. Whether you’ve lost a partner, a parent, or even the future you thought you had, grief has a way of taking over everything: your sleep, your appetite, your energy, and your sense of self. And while therapy and support groups have their place, sometimes you need more than just an hour in an office or a phone call once a week. You need space. You need stillness. You need conn

The truth about mental health, taking that leap of faith, and remembering who you are When I moved to Thailand four months ago, I imagined a fresh start. I was ready for warm mornings, vibrant culture, adventure, and the excitement that comes with changing your life. But soon after arriving, I faced an unexpected health challenge that slowly began to affect every part of my life. It wasn’t the move that overwhelmed me—it was everything that followed. What started as bronchiti

When you’ve reached that point where you’re backed into a corner, where nothing you say or do changes anything, and you’re left feeling...

Villa El-Goute Marrakech Mending Hearts Retreat | Grief and Divorce Recovery Retreat | Morocco 2025 Grief doesn’t look the same for...

At some point in life, we all hit that wall, the one where the past keeps showing up, no matter how badly we want to forget it. But...

Day Trip into Lisbon I’ve just returned from another amazing Mending Hearts divorce & grief retreat in Portugal. I got to know some wonderful new women, and five of my previous attendees also joined – who I now consider my frequent flyers. The weather was perfect: warm and sunny, just what you need when you are healing with a group of strangers. No one had any idea how impactful the week would be when we gathered in the stunning Portuguese countryside of Sesimbra on the 5th S

It's easy to get caught up in past regrets and forget the value of the present moment. Here’s your gentle reminder to prioritise self-care and live in the now. Why Put Yourself First? Mental Health : Your well-being is crucial. Taking time for yourself reduces stress and anxiety. Physical Health : Self-care activities like exercise, healthy eating, and rest are vital for your body. Relationships : When you’re at your best, your relationships flourish. Self-care allows you to