The very meaning of retreat is to withdraw or move back from something. That’s what I did in late 2020 when I relocated from Victoria, British Columbia, to Galiano, a small Southern Gulf Island on the west coast.
I was getting bogged down in the chaos of that city; its politics and bureaucracy were exhausting. The pandemic had also reared its ugly head, and Victoria began to fall into a deep coma.
Living on Galiano Island was the perfect escape from all the pandemonium. Naturally, I took it one step further and decided to go off the grid and begin a new existence in one of the most remote areas of the island. That first winter was the harshest since making the move, and with no electricity or running water, it tested me in many ways.
Perhaps this is what we need sometimes. To retreat from our cities and the everyday routine of alarm clocks, endless traffic and noise, boardrooms and bright lights.
When you live amongst the trees and can walk through lush rainforest to the sea in less than 20 minutes, you gain a new perspective on the environment. When your passion has always been the built environment, living this way provides a new lens to look through. The learning curve has been steep and incredibly rewarding.
Typically, when someone experiences these radical shifts, they learn from them. It’s a gift! And for me, there’s nothing better than to share these gifts. Living in and with nature is rejuvenating, and I believe those of us dedicated to this field need that from time to time.
I’m inviting 12 built environment practitioners from around the world to join me on Galiano Island in the spring of 2027. We will share our experiences, stories and depart rejuvenated and eager to continue the work we are all passionate about. This inaugural retreat will be held at Bodega Ridge, known for its incredible location and service.
Harrison Ford put it best in his recent acceptance speech when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and said: “We get to explore ideas that affirm and elevate our shared experience.”
These 12 practitioners will be double-agents. In other words, special guests who will share their knowledge and experience with the group. Let’s begin to prepare and connect in a place often referred to as the gem of the Gulf Islands.
For further details, please use my contact page.
Join me and let’s reimagine the possibilities together.
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