Stepping Away to Move Forward: The Power of an Intentional Pause

Professional retreats often follow a familiar formula—packed agendas, scheduled sessions from morning to night, and a steady pace that leaves little room to simply think. But the retreat I’m attending this week is intentionally different.

Created by The Foundry Collective and Jennifer (Bowie) Floyd, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, this experience was designed for busy women—professionals, entrepreneurs, writers, mothers, wives, and community volunteers who spend much of their lives taking care of businesses, families, and communities.

Here, the focus is on something many of us rarely give ourselves permission to do: slow down.

The setting itself reflects that intention. Participants are gathered in a private home in Highlands, creating a comfortable and relaxed environment where conversations happen naturally and ideas have space to develop. A personal chef is preparing meals, allowing everyone to truly unplug and enjoy the experience without the usual logistics that come with travel and events.

Today’s schedule reflects the spirit of the retreat—yoga to begin the morning, followed by a massage at the spa, and later vision board sessions where each participant can focus on personal and professional goals for the year ahead.

It may sound simple, but for many busy women, this kind of intentional pause is rare. In the middle of careers, businesses, families, and community commitments, slowing down long enough to reflect and refocus often falls to the bottom of the list—when in reality, it may be exactly what we need most.

This retreat isn’t about adding more to an already full plate. It’s about stepping back long enough to evaluate what truly matters—whether that means revisiting a plan that has gone dormant, mapping out a new business idea, or simply creating space for clarity and renewal.

Originally scheduled for January, this inaugural retreat was postponed to March 3–6 due to a winter storm that moved through the region last week. The change in dates even opened a few additional opportunities for women who wanted to join.

And while it’s too late to join us for this retreat, there will be another opportunity.

If this kind of intentional time away speaks to you, follow The Foundry and watch for the announcement of the next retreat planned for September. It may be exactly the space you need to pause, recharge, and move forward with renewed clarity.