Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Whistler retreat helps women find balance

All About Me Whistler Weekend teaches women an important lesson, how to make themselves a priority in an ever stressful world
Lifetime-retreat
The Eyes Wide Shut - Sensory Wine Tasting workshop was a big hit at the All About Me Whistler Women's Weekend, held last fall. A second weekend takes place in April.

Sitting in a circle of women in a meeting room located within the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, one participant chokes back tears as she speaks about the gratitude she feels for her husband.

The exercise is part of a workshop we’ve all gathered for called “Twisted Sister no More: Tips for breaking the busy cycle,” dedicated to teaching us some strategies to help change our priorities. Workshop coordinator Cheryl Wilson-Stewart explains that by giving more appreciation for what really matters and letting go of what doesn’t, our priorities will eventually fall into place freeing up time. It’s obviously an issue that hits home for many of the women gathered because eventually almost every participant is in need of a Kleenex.

The workshop was one option included in the All About Me Whistler Women’s Weekend held at the Fairmont last November — and it was packed. The participants in this workshop are, of course, all women, mostly baby boomers, from Vancouver and beyond and in desperate need of some coping strategies in an all-too busy world. Many have stressful jobs and several are part of what’s commonly known as the “sandwich generation,” a term used to describe men and women with children who are also coping with elderly parents. Participants of the retreat had many workshops to choose from when taking part in the weekend, including sessions on yoga, belly dancing, nutrition, laughter through stand-up comedy, hikes, painting, wine tasting and more.

The goal of the weekend is to teach women a lesson they often struggle with — making themselves a priority. According to a new poll conducted by Insights West, nine out of 10 British Columbians who form part of the sandwich generation report they’re experiencing challenges in providing care. More than half of respondents (64 per cent) say they have difficulty in finding time to visit their aging parents due to work and busy schedules while a majority (60 per cent) also report challenges in keeping informed about the health status of a parent and affording the costs associated with caring (56 per cent). It’s a lot to deal with.

Not all of the women attending the weekend fell into the sandwich generation, but no matter their situation, it was obvious everyone attending was dealing with stress in their lives. So it was fitting the key message woven through the weekend was you can’t care for anyone else or solve stressful situations, if you don’t look after yourself first, which made a really good excuse for drinking wine in the outdoor hot tub at the Fairmont Saturday afternoon.

The weekend wasn't all workshops though, and the women attending took advantage of a welcome reception, a night-time hike and a gala dinner that saw women dressed in their best evening wear and tearing it up on the dance floor for the private event.

A second All About Me Whistler Women’s Weekend takes place April 28 to 30.

The Fairmont is also hosting Whistler 55+ Spring Adventure weekend April 10 to 13, which includes sessions for participants 55 and older on everything from soapstone carving, Internet security secrets, aqua fit, a naturalist presentation, meals, two receptions and more. Visit fairmont.com/whistler.

sthomas@vancourier.com

@sthomas10