Wander, retreat, remember
The rise of the creative biz retreat — and the UK gets its first memorial for journalists who died chasing the truth.
How was your week? I had a chat with artist Ana Beij about a women’s creativity retreat she’s hosting in Bali this August. It’s inspired me to pitch a story on the rise of creative biz retreats - I’m seeing them all over socials.
And if I go, a personal essay on how I came home different. It’s been 25 years since I went to Bali, so how did it feel this time as an empty nester? Reclaiming ME after mum through a creative retreat. How I - AND the island have changed. It was crazy busy back then!
The global wellness tourism industry is booming – set to reach over $1.35 trillion by 2028, according to Statistica. From Amy I Beeson 🐝’s 1-day London WRITE IN to Georgie Darling’s 5-day creative business reset in the Algarve – there’s a real hunger for experiences that go deeper than a holiday. IRL magic, offline time, sisterhood and spirit.
My mate hosts a yoga retreat in Turkey, which sells out every year - the women rebook when they get back. The friendships forged led to a Peru adventure – three of them just walked the Inca Trail. One works in tourism and lived there so knows how to do it ethically. And great to have someone else plan it all…
“I’m giving her all my money! She can organise it.”
In my 20s, I Wwoofed my way round Australia & NZ, staying on farms and ashrams and met Kathy, a mum who invited me to housesit in Sydney for a month while they went to Italy. Totally transformed my trip – no more bedbugs in overpriced hostels. Furry friends! I saved a fortune and loved living like a local.
If you’ve been on a creative retreat - how did it change you? I’m curating a list for inspo. Especially interested in those for writers and content creators so we can learn from each other and take the best from both worlds.
And forget the painting, I wanna go RAVING. Where are the rave wellness retreats!? Ibiza is calling. Want to find some affordable ones too, as wellness seems to be a luxury. I can DIY that in St Leonards - our Writers’ Café is free. Come and meet the Barnaby fam.
I’ll offer to interview the Bali crew when they get back and have had time to reflect - wellness by proxy!
Interview with Ana coming soon. In the meantime, you can check out her art.
End of Copy | Words of Light
Gutted to read about Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil who was targeted and killed this week in a building where she had taken cover from Israeli airstrikes.
2025 was the deadliest year for journalists with a record 125 press members killed, according to the CPJ.
Congrats to Wolfgang Buttress, who’s been commissioned to create the UK's first memorial for fallen journalists. It includes an online public record chronicling their lives and a new memorial at Staffordshire’s National Memorial Arboretum. Plus, a second sculpture at St Bride’s, the Journalists’ Church.
It is a lasting statement that the truth matters, and we will remember the courage and sacrifice of those who died for it. – Sarah Sands, On the Record.
I love his vision for this – and that you can sit and experience it.
Londoners – on Tue 28th we’re holding a vigil for fallen colleagues at 3.30 pm, St Brides, to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day. All welcome. 🙏
More of Wolfgang’s work… TO BE – made with the help of over 40K bees! To be performed in Nottingham on 6 June :)
Viva! 🍸
Nika xo