An Immersive Experience
A firsthand testimonial shared by Susanne, travel writer and TMC member
When I found The Murmuration Collective—or should I say it found me—I was neck-deep in a major life transition.
I had just turned 40, still trying to regain my footing after a painful job separation that left me feeling lost and disillusioned. I had spent 20 years in hospitality and wellness industry, a career I once found fulfilling and successful, but now, I was questioning my future. I didn't feel aligned with the corporate world anymore, yet I felt too small to venture into consulting on my own, despite a long track record of successes.
I couldn't see clearly what I wanted for my future and needed help to figure out what truly mattered to me, both professionally and personally. I had tried therapy, which had been a balm for my mental and emotional health before (I recommend it to everyone!), but this time, I was seeking inspiration and, most importantly, a sense of community to guide me through these uncertain times.
To be honest, I’ve always been skeptical about retreats and immersives. I’ve seen the commercialization of wellness up close, in which mental and emotional health are treated like trends and commodities, without sincere attempts of long-term application. So, it was a bit surprising (maybe even a sign of desperation) when I started my quest to find the right experience for me.
But first, I would like to offer a clarification, as I consider retreats and immersives to be two different things: Retreats offer us a break from daily life, a chance to dip our toes into new experiences like movement, meditation, and body therapy. They open the door to consider new possibilities for ourselves and prepare us for the deeper work of personal growth.
Immersives, on the other hand, take us to that deeper place. They’re an invitation to engage with ourselves honestly and thoroughly. They call to those of us who feel a transition coming, who are ready to dive below the surface. Immersives are about transformation.
Despite my skepticism about the retreat industry, I found myself drawn to The Murmuration Collective. What caught my eye was their structured, research-supported offering, experiences that are immersed in nature in a surrounding of supportive women—three things I had listed as essential for my journey. The Murmuration Collective is built on three pillars: Inner Wisdom, Nature Wisdom, and Collective Wisdom, which guide participants through each of the immersions.
Shortly after I signed up fpr the Spain Immersive, I got a call from Lucy Reynolds, the founder of The Murmuration Collective and felt an immediate warmth and acceptance, we chatted about the mission of The Murmuration Collected, exchanged personal background and talked about my aspirations in joining the immersive.
The Murmuration Collective evolved from Olerai Leadership, Lucy’s initial offering, aimed at helping passionate people create authentic leadership in their lives and work. Her excitement and support during our introductory call melted away my doubts. She made me feel seen and heard without judgment, welcoming me into the Collective.
It melted away the resistance I felt about signing up for the immersion. Is it frivolous to spend money on this? Am I being Selfish? What if this is a waste of money? Couldn’t I just read another self-help book?
In truth though, taking time for ourselves and working towards our unique self-expression is never frivolous.
We’re constantly bombarded with opinions and information, making it hard to distinguish our own desires from demands placed upon us by loved ones and society as a whole and I would like to content that investing time in ourselves helps us reconnect with our individual strength and fortifies our mental health.
Meeting for the first time at the airport, our cohort group clicked instantly. We all felt seen, understood, and validated, eager to embark on this journey and dive deeper together. The small cohort size (usually no more than 10 women) ensured an intimate, therapeutically safe setting for our work.
Arriving at our venue and meeting the team of En Casa de Gracia, felt like reconnecting with old friends. The pristine gardens, colorful flowers, and wild land stewarded by owner Gracia Lafuente created an almost overwhelming sense of peace.
Gracia, an experienced educator and coach, divides her time between London, Spain, Africa, and Vermont. Her deep roots and love for the local land inspired her personal values, and partnering with Lucy for the first Spain Immersion of The Murmuration Collective felt natural. En Casa de Gracia’s thoughtful design, warm hosting team, and delicious meals rooted in local culinary traditions made it feel like home. The space offered privacy and community, with areas for retreat and gathering around fireplaces and communal tables. The food, made from fresh ingredients from the gardens, was a comforting embrace as we shared stories and laughter.
Our journey began right on the evening of our arrival.
The well-thought-out schedule combines movement practices, curriculum-based coaching, cultural experiences, local organic food, and six months of post-immersion coaching support. This combination of elements was crucial for me personally in choosing The Murmuraion Collective, because honest internal work is messy and emotionally taxing, requiring a sense of safety and being seen.
Our coaches, Lucy and Katy Craig, explained our itinerary and encouraged us to create our own community agreements for the upcoming days. This process was eye-opening and emotional, as we voiced what we needed for ourselves and from each other unashamed, the giddiness and joy we felt marked the beginning of our journey to pivoting and redesigning our lives.
Nature played a significant role in my experience. Being outside supported my nervous system, allowing my mind to exhale and make room for possibilities. The lush gardens of En Casa de Gracia provided the perfect setting for our coaching work, where we gently confronted our habitual thinking patterns and personal narratives. Partnering with another participant, I realized how different my internal dialogue sounded when spoken aloud. Together, we braved our vulnerabilities, uncovering clear insights into our personal challenges and exploring ways to shift towards more joy and purpose.
Sharing our experiences and lessons over the next few days, we felt lighter and more emboldened. The immersion process, though it sounds simple, was a series of deep, emotional work supported by a close-knit community and lead by professionals.
As we neared the end of our time together, we focused on the ‘Collective Wisdom’ pillar. This involved defining and presenting our visions for the future, a process that made our intentions real and brought clarity. We committed to sharing resources and support with each other, empowering us to move forward confidently, yet slow and deliberately. At the same time, returning to our daily lives, Lucy and Katy advised us to be gentle with ourselves as we integrated our experiences. The Murmuration Collective’s framework of continued coaching calls ensured we stayed connected and supported. Reconnecting after the first month, I saw mindfulness and silent knowing in the faces of the women I had come to cherish during our time together. Sharing our updates and aspirations, we felt a deep sense of community and it echoed the collective wisdom we had experienced at En Casa de Gracia.
At the beginning of this journey, I was skeptical about retreats and immersives. But now, I am deeply grateful to Lucy Reynolds and Katy Craig for creating a safe, professional, and carefully curated space, where women are able to discover what they are seeking and be held in community and support.
As I move forward, I can confidently say that through The Murmuration Collective I have received the framework, professional guidance and community support to charge ahead and chart my new path with clarity, confidence and deliberation.
UPCOMING
IMMERSIVES:
May 11-16th, 2025
September 21-26, 2025
April 24-27, 2025
October 22-25, 2025
January 20-25, 2025