Partner: Eldest Daughter Retreat 2027

Leading with Resilience and Ease

For the 8th time, we are calling firstborn women of all ages to gather with others who share this particular

life path. “Eldest daughter” has become a recurring theme on social media. Firstborn women note how responsibility weighs on them, and how carefree their younger siblings tend to be. From her r

esearch done over a decade ago, in The Eldest Daughter Effect, author and co-host Lisette Schuitemaker describes how being the first child in our family shapes us into serious, caring and capable women.

With “responsibility” as our middle name, we quickly find ourselves in positions of leadership in our family, our circle of friends as well as professionally. We love taking charge, and we are inclined to overdo it. We enjoy making sure everyone is well, and we are apt to forget we need support ourselves. So here are some heartfelt questions to ponder:

• Is all that I am capable of doing truly mine to do?
• How can I take leadership, be available as well as flourish as a person?
• What can I delegate so others come into their own?

In our days together we will move through a process of taking stock of where we are at, identifying what conditioning, belief or behaviour may be let go of, and firming up how we want to re-enter our personal and professional life.

We will explore and celebrate our strengths, our insecurities and our wisdom. Patterns that we recognise in each other will give rise to laughter and tears, and cement the bond of sisterhood. You will leave the circle with a clearer sense of how you manifest leadership in your personal and professional life, and how you can keep the balance.

Our Facilitators

Dr. Gill Emslie will again be our guiding facilitator. An eldest of four, she was on the management team of the Findhorn Foundation educational charity when Lisette became a trustee. Gill went on to study process oriented systemic psychology, work all over the world with women, NGOs and business leaders and obtain a PhD. She is the founder of a school in Barcelona where she still teaches after leaving the leadership role to the next generation.

Lisette Schuitemaker served on the board of the Findhorn Foundation for almost two decades, as deputy chair and then chair for four years. Alongside her board directorship of pioneering initiatives, she is an impact and systemic investor and author of five books, four of which have been published in English.

Please find background information here on Gill Emslie and Lisette Schuitemaker.

Visiting Ecovillage Findhorn

The Sunshine Room is our home base in the inspiring Findhorn Park Ecovillage. You’ll have the opportunity to take part in the daily morning meditation and greeting of the day through singing. In our sessions, too, we will weave in community’s ways of celebrating and cultivating deep connection. In between, you’ll have time to rest and reflect in nature, walk the labyrinth or find your way through the woods to the sea. This retreat, for firstborn women only, is a dedicated space to pause and reconnect with who you are meant to be.

We have 24 spaces available and we would love for you to join us!

Practical Information

Accommodation: Please see www.visitecovillagefindhorn.uk for information about the community and places to stay. We have reserved Clearwater on a first-come first-served basis. Please email dellhorler@gmail.com if you’d like to reserve a room in Clearwater, or if you would like advice on other accommodation options.

Recommendation: Come a day early or stay on for a day (or two) of integration, exploration of the Findhorn community and ecovillage and a pub dinner together on Monday.

Further inquiries: Please email dellhorler@gmail.com with any questions you may have.

Travel: The nearest railway station is Forres, the nearest airport is Inverness. Let us know where and when you arrive, as we can suggest transportation for you. The starting time of the retreat is set to the arrival of those who fly in from Amsterdam.