The Big Magic Creativity & Wellness Retreat
Camp Coleman,
Atlanta, Georgia
October 2024
On a quiet Sunday August morning at my home in Brooklyn, I was scrolling through Elizabeth Gilbert’s Letters from Love Substack newsletter when … I saw it! In the comments section of the newsletter, someone mentioned that in the fall, Elizabeth Gilbert would be hosting the Big Magic Creativity and Wellness Retreat in Atlanta, GA. I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Gilbert. I’ve read her books and have subscribed to her newsletter since its inception in September 2023. I immediately knew I wanted to go on her retreat. I spent a few minutes looking up the schedule of events and the programs. The retreat included accommodations and meals and seemed affordable. I had the time off from work. There was no hesitating. I was all in!
This was my first writing retreat, and I was excited and curious about what this weekend would bring. I had taken a break from revising my current novel and felt blocked, stuck, and unsure of myself and my story. I didn’t know where to go next with the revision. I was ready and eager to meet an accomplished author such as Elizabeth Gilbert and hear what she had to say about writing, living a creative life, and how I could apply that knowledge in my own life and writing.
Two months before the retreat, a few Lovelets (the name Elizabeth likes to call her newsletter subscribers) started to chat privately on WhatsApp to get to know each other. This small group of Lovelets were coming from Utah, Kentucky, Florida, New York City, and Ireland! Every few days, we would text each other and count down the days we would meet each other and Elizabeth Gilbert.
I flew in from New York and met the group at the Atlanta Airport. We all piled into a bus for the 45-minute drive to Camp Coleman, the retreat location. We talked and laughed like old friends. When we arrived at the campgrounds, we saw that we were deep in the mountains, with lush trees and singing birds.
Although the natural landscape was beautiful, the cabin I would share was not. It was rustic with wooden bunk beds, flat plastic mattresses, scratchy and rough pillows and linens, two shower stalls, two toilets, no AC or heat, and a large circulating fan that was loud. I was determined not to let the accommodations dim my excitement for the retreat. We all claimed our bunks quickly. Despite the accommodations, it felt like a huge slumber party.
Since we arrived close to check-in time, we had enough time to grab a bite to eat in the cafeteria and then make our way over to the auditorium, where we would see Elizabeth for the first time. I was excited and a little nervous. When she walked on the stage, I joined the crowd in yelling and clapping. Elizabeth gave us Lovelets a special shout out and that felt amazing. She instructed us to bring our pen and journal for tomorrow’s morning session. The first night ended quickly with s’mores by a small campfire and then off to sleep.
The following morning, I could hear the birds chirping outside my cabin. The grass smelled earthy, and the air felt clean and fresh. Some of the Lovelets I bunked with were off to an early start with morning yoga, but I decided to sleep in and rest. I knew the day would be filled with activity. There would be Elizabeth’s morning talk, art, poetry, meditation, and dance workshops.
During Elizabeth’s morning talk, we journaled about our fears, wrote ourselves letters of permission and each other letters of support and encouragement. We connected with our inner child. She mentioned talking to the Universe and searching for a spiritual anchor to ground us, saying we shouldn’t be victims of our fears. We laughed, cried, hugged each other, or held hands. I was overwhelmed yet energized. I felt something open up in me.
When the morning session was over, the workshops began. For the first time, I participated in a Spoken Word Poetry workshop. In another workshop, I created affirmation art. One of the highlights of that day was sitting on a swing by the lake that overlooked the entire campground and surrounding mountains. I sat there for an hour, taking in the beauty of the camp around me, the gratitude I felt for being there, and a sense of awe.
After dinner, we saw Elizabeth leaving the cafeteria and grabbed this as our chance to talk to her. When we told her we were Lovelets, she turned to us with a smile and gave each of us a big hug. Her hug was the lightest embrace I’ve ever received. No squishy, breath-stealing bear hug. It felt like hugging a soft wispy feather, the gentlest hug I’ve ever felt. Afterward, she took a picture of all of us together and posted it in her newsletter that Sunday.
The night ended with a celebration. Attendees danced and read their poetry on stage to a cheering crowd. I was feeling too nervous to go up on stage and share, but I cheered everyone else on. When I left the building after the event I looked up at the night sky. Above me were a million twinkling stars that took my breath away. This was not something I could see in Brooklyn. I felt part of something special.
Our last day of the retreat went by too quickly. There was time for a quick breakfast (or morning yoga if you chose to do it) before we went to the auditorium, where we met with Elizabeth for questions and answers. I could think of nothing to ask her, but I was curious to hear what other people would ask. Many attendees thanked her.
During this retreat, I felt something in me shift. I have more belief in myself, more openness to life and being vulnerable with others, and a connection to new Lovelets that I hope will be lifelong friends. And as for the revision of my novel, I feel a renewed sense of hope and possibility.