Today’s guest blogger, Courtney Currie, shares a powerful reflection on what it means to rebuild after life breaks you open. In the midst of loss, transition, and uncertainty, Courtney found herself asking the kinds of questions that don’t have easy answers, only invitations.
This post is a glimpse into her journey through some of life’s biggest, most unexpected challenges, and how rest, reflection, and reconnection (especially during our retreat at l’Artesania just outside Barcelona) helped her become more herself.
Courtney’s story is honest, wise, and deeply human. I’m grateful for her willingness to share.
And we couldn't be more excited to invite you to Rest | Restore | Explore at l'Artesania this November.
-Dee Rolffs, L3 Catalyst Group
Life Is Hard
Have you ever had those moments when you think: “Man, shit is hard, I’m barely hanging on…"
Then shit gets harder?
Or you think:
“I am so busy. The busiest I have ever been, and there is no relief in sight."
Then shit gets busier?
Yeah. I hear you. Me too.
A very short couple of years ago, I had a demanding career. I was traveling often, was dropping so many balls, and barely had enough time to live…. it was rough!
Then my life flipped upside down. It was a barrage of the major life change stuff: death of parent, job loss, relationship loss, financial strain, major kitchen renovation…and the mental health challenges that come along with super hard stuff. (And that’s not all!) It was rough. No one seeks this kind of change, but going through it with the right support can lead to the biggest and best life changes.
It was during my reconstruction period that Dee and I started talking about hosting a retreat. I was craving community, healing, building a business, and needing…so much: space, clarity, things to look forward to, a change of scenery. We started dreaming, then planning, then took a trip to scout for what would become Rest | Restore | Explore at l'Artesania.
On Being and Becoming
As Dee and I talked about the kind of retreat we wanted to host, we kept coming back to this reality: in our whole busy, full, messy lives we simply do not have enough time. With all the pressure, we don't have time to be who we most are or become who we most want to be.
As I pondered a name change back to my maiden name after most of my adult life with a different name, I decided that I would focus on what it meant for me to again become Courtney Currie.
Becoming Courtney Currie
Throughout our time in Spain, I held that question in the back of my mind. As we explored the unbelievable opulence of the mountaintop Monastery at Montserrat, juxtaposed against the imperfect and problematic history of the Catholic Church, I thought about my question. I reflected on how despite the imperfections of this history, there is still comfort and tradition and value for many people. As we exerted our bodies to hike up the mountain and peeked out over the magnificent vista and sunshine.. and when my friend told me to stop so they could capture this photo (and after), I reflected on what it meant to become Courtney Currie again.
Bringing it Home
Looking back, I can say I am the healthiest and the happiest (overall) I’ve been in a long time, and there was a time that didn’t feel possible. It wasn’t the retreat alone… but my rebuild started there in large part. It continued with community, intention, reflection, practice. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have taken the space and I am most grateful to share it with others.
See ya in Spain!
Courtney