How Divorce Retreats Changed My Life – 5 Years of Mending Hearts Retreats

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 stay at home. Travel gave me space to breathe again. It gave me freedom. No more guilt trips, no more emotional blackmail, no resentment, no one to answer to. If I wanted to book a flight, I booked it. If I wanted to disappear for a while, I did. That’s where the idea for Mending Hearts Retreats was born.

At 48, I had no clue if it would work. I just knew I wanted to bring people together who were hurting, the way I was, and give them a place to heal. Five years later, we’ve hosted 11 retreats, East Sussex, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and in 2026 we’re taking them to Thailand and who knows there's even talk of Kenya.

Every time I organise a divorce retreat, I still get that same buzz of excitement. The planning, the details, the experiences it’s like each one has to be better than the last. I always take it up a notch. Because these retreats aren’t just about a week of therapy or making new connections. They’re about pushing people out of their comfort zones, trying new things, and discovering what’s possible for the future.

And most of all, I want healing to be fun for everyone. Yes, we cry, yes, we share the hard stuff, but we also laugh, dance, eat amazing food, and try things people never thought they’d do. Healing doesn’t have to be heavy and lonely all the time, it can actually be exciting and uplifting.

When you arrive at the retreat, it’s the start of a new chapter. You won’t go home the same person you arrived, you’ll go home lighter, stronger, and more ready to face what’s next.

Why Divorce Retreats Work When Healing After Heartbreak

• A change of scenery resets your perspective. Staying at home keeps you stuck in the past.

• Exercise and adventure shift your energy. Hiking, swimming, even exploring a new city helps release what you’ve been holding onto.

• Connection is everything. Meeting new people who “get it” reminds you you’re not alone.

• Travel proves your resilience. Every trip shows you, you’re braver and stronger than you thought.

Divorce may have ended one chapter, but it gave me the courage to start a better one. And five years later, Mending Hearts Retreats is proof that healing after heartbreak doesn’t have to be lonely, it can be adventurous, full of connection, and even fun.

At Mending Hearts Retreat Everything is Possible!

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