solo woman swimming and splashing water while traveling

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Something is shifting. More and more women are stepping into the freedom of solo travel. This isn’t about running away from responsibilities or chasing a perfect snapshot for social media. It’s about something deeper—reconnecting with yourself, rediscovering your independence, and stepping outside the patterns of daily life that can leave us feeling stuck. Recent studies […]

Why Women Are Choosing the Freedom of Solo Travel

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A few weeks ago, the serene beaches and lush landscapes of Nosara, Costa Rica, became the perfect backdrop for this year’s Mastermind Retreat. With 11 heart-centered women coming together, it was a week filled with love, laughter, and connection in ways we could have only imagined. This retreat wasn’t just an escape; it was a […]

The NUSHU Mastermind Retreat, October 2024

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Sofia Estrella, a writer and Certified NUSHU Group Facilitator, shares her transformative experience at the 2024 NUSHU Surf Retreat in the final part of her four-part guest blog series. Fatigued from three days of surfing but still wanting to learn more, towards the end of our retreat in Costa Rica, I began extending my breaks […]

Surf Retreat Guest Blog: My Life Is Just Getting Started

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Sofia Estrella, a writer and Certified NUSHU Group Facilitator, shares her transformative experience at the 2024 NUSHU Surf Retreat in the third part of her four-part guest blog series. My love of learning also encompasses sometimes (okay, most times) being an obsessively high achiever. Standing up on a surfboard was an enormous accomplishment for a […]

Surf Retreat Guest Blog: Recalibrating for Joy

Sofia Estrella, looking radiant and joyful, smiles brightly at the 2024 NUSHU Surf Retreat
Sofia Estrella, standing in the ocean with a determined expression, prepares to get on her surfboard, ready to overcome her fear and embrace the challenge at the 2024 NUSHU Surf Retreat.

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Sofia Estrella, a writer and Certified NUSHU Group Facilitator, shares her transformative experience at the 2024 NUSHU Surf Retreat in the second part of her four-part guest blog series.   The plan was to boogie board. As a teacher with chronic pain, I learned to manage fear with meticulous scaffolding. When my doctor cleared me […]

Surf Retreat Guest Blog: How Do You Get through Fear?

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Sofia Estrella, a writer and Certified NUSHU Group Facilitator, shares her transformative experience at the 2024 NUSHU Surf Retreat in part one of her four-part guest blog series. Years ago, when I learned that I could only love others to the degree I loved myself, I also uncovered fear. I alone knew how truly insignificant […]

Surf Retreat Guest Blog: What Does It Look Like To Woo Yourself?

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How this small daily ritual created my foundation for self-care over time. Self-care is recognizing that your needs matter. In the very beginning of my journey to find myself, I committed to making myself a cup of tea in the morning before I made breakfast for my five kids, got backpacks ready, and rushed out […]

The First Step You Can Take To Reclaim Your Needs

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Confession: I’m kind of obsessed with cults. I’ve read a bunch of books by gurus and self-help teachers. They range from cult leaders to people whose work I would characterize as irresponsible/not in alignment with my values. I read these books because I’m so fascinated by how and why people get swept up with certain […]

My Summer Reading List

Vanessa Cornell reading Ally Bogard's book
Vanessa's Summer Reading Giveaway

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This month, I’m beyond thrilled to announce a special treat just for you—my Summer Reading Giveaway! It’s a celebration of my love for gift-giving, self-help books, and supporting brilliant authors who are also trusted teachers and friends. Three Things I Love: 1) Gift Giving: There’s nothing quite like the joy of giving. It warms my […]

Vanessa’s Summer Reading Giveaway

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This April, we traveled to Nosara, Costa Rica, for our annual Surf Retreat with 25 incredible women. It’s by far one of our favorite offerings because no one comes out of the week unchanged. In just seven days, 25 women gathered for a week of surf, sun, and sisterhood. Masks were shed, vulnerabilities were embraced, […]

2024 NUSHU Surf Retreat

NUSHU Surf Retreat

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In February 2024, we traveled to Big Indian, New York for a special retreat in partnership with Ally Bogard. Each year, we plan our Upstate Retreat in the winter, as it’s the perfect time to rest and turn inward. The season lends itself to restoration and quiet contemplation. There was no better place to do […]

2024 Upstate Retreat with Ally Bogard

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I’m a recovering perfectionist and here’s how motherhood helped me let go. I’ll never forget the time I called Tovah Klein, a leading developmental psychologist, desperate and at my wits end with my outrageously non-compliant child. Among my son’s transgressions was his refusal to participate in the “Mommy and Me” music class I had signed […]

7 Tips for Overcoming Perfectionism and Mom Guilt

Photo of Vanessa Cornell

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A Blog Repost from Sage + Sound AM/PM: Vanessa Cornell is Not Disciplined “It’s really important to me that we think of wellness in service to our lives, and not think about wellness as a goal unto itself,” Vanessa Cornell founder of the NUSHU, a community of women on spiritual journeys to find deeper connections […]

AM/PM: Vanessa Cornell is Not Disciplined

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I love discovering beautiful new things and supporting soulful and generous founders, so the holidays are full of creativity and joy for me (and wonderful products tied up in bows). I’m excited to share some of my favorites with you here. Don’t forget to take care of […]

Vanessa’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

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Last week marked a momentous occasion as the second annual NUSHU Mastermind Retreat unfolded in the picturesque setting of Stone Ridge, New York. A dynamic group of 18 thought leaders, entrepreneurs, founders, and practitioners, all of whom share a commitment to making a positive impact, graced the retreat with their presence. The essence of this […]

The NUSHU Mastermind Retreat, October 2023

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Sofia Estrella is a writer and Certified NUSHU Group Facilitator. Here, Sofia shares her story how she began to develop self-trust through writing, community, and the power of NUSHU Group. When I look at these two photos side-by-side, I think of the Robert Frost poem. You know the one, especially since we’ve all had moments […]

How I (Began to) Develop Self-Trust, by Sofia Estrella

Photo of Sofia Estrella in 2023, exhibiting self-trust.

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Checking In: How’s Your Mental Health?  Guest Blog By J Owens   How are your relationships with your family, friends, and colleagues?   How do you show up in these relationships?   Do you allow yourself to be open when needed or do you hide behind a facade?   Are you comfortable asking for help?   These questions came […]

Checking In: How’s Your Mental Health? 

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How to Boost Your Confidence The Number One Pep Talk To Give Yourself Everyday A guest blog post written by Success Coach, Angel Marie I’m scared. Nobody’s going to care about what I have to say. I’m not wise enough yet. I care too much what other people think. I’ll never make it. Is it […]

How to Boost Your Confidence by Angel Marie

photo of Angel Marie

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In April 2023, we traveled to Stone Ridge, New York for our Upstate Retreat in partnership with Erika Bloom. Together, we adventured both inside and out, exploring the nature of the beautiful Hudson Valley, as well as our own inner landscapes.     “How do I feel? What do I need?” ⁠⁠These two questions were […]

2023 NUSHU Upstate Retreat

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Certified NUSHU Group Facilitator and Founder of Well Refined, Courtney Evans, joined the NUSHU Surf Retreat in February 2023. What follows is her beautiful retelling of the time spent on retreat: “I spent last week in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica on a women’s surf retreat with NUSHU, a wellness collective I facilitate sharing circles for. I […]

Courtney’s Experience on the NUSHU Surf Retreat

Woman holding surf board on NUSHU Retreat