28/12/2025
It’s my birthday today, and instead of asking for anything, I wanted to offer something that has shaped my life in a deep and lasting way.
Years ago, Rest to Rise was born because I was tired — not just physically, but in a way that told me I was still living out of rhythm with myself. I could sense there was still a deeper, more seasonal way of being… but I hadn’t quite developed the trust to fully live it.
Despite slowing down for Winter, it still became something to push through rather than listen to.
So, Rest to Rise began as an offering first to myself — a curated and co-created permission slip to truly embrace the winter pause. To rest without guilt. To slow without falling behind. To trust that if I really let myself winter well, I would rise more honestly, creatively and sustainably in spring.
I brought together some of the wisest practitioners I knew and we created a 5 week gentle online experience for the members of our community.
I had realised that choosing to pause for as long as your body needs was the key to pretty much EVERYTHING. I suspected the retreat would be powerful, but didn’t expect just how radical, beautiful and well-received that choice would be — not just for me, but for everyone who came into the space. Again and again, people reflected back the same thing: the permission, the validation, the feeling of being met exactly where they were. And then just what an impact this had on the rest of the year.
This reel shares a little of that story, and why Rest to Rise continues to matter so much to me.
If it lands with you today, receive it as a birthday gift. And if it feels like a choice you also want to make – you can sign up by donation here:
https://grow-free.com/Rest2Rise2026
It's also a fundraiser for our community - so any joining, sharing and inviting will make a difference and help us carry out our purpose.
Love Emma
