Get to know Me

Hi, I’m Lily—a midlife creative, small business owner, dog mom, and lover of all things cozy and colorful. I live in Massachusetts for the past 15 years, where my days are filled with quiet moments of coloring, the joy of home-cooked meals, and dreams of faraway places.

Retreats of Color was born from a deeply personal season of transformation. Like many, I struggled through the years following COVID—facing depression, health challenges, and a loss of direction that left me questioning my spark for life. But through those shadows, I began to rediscover myself—slowly, gently, and colorfully.

This blog is my way of sharing that healing journey. It’s a space for creativity, mindfulness, and stories from women like me (and maybe like you)—who are finding their way back to wholeness. Whether through art, travel, or soulful reflection, Retreats of Color celebrates the vibrant, messy, beautiful process of becoming ourselves again.

You’re not alone. And I hope this space reminds you of that.

Where My Inspiration Began?

The summer of 2021 was my first real escape after being homebound during the long stretch of the pandemic. A friend invited me on a weekend getaway to AutoCamp near Cape Cod, and it was my first time staying in a tiny house surrounded by nature. Everything felt fresh and free—like I could breathe again.

We spent our days listening to birdsong in the morning, grilling under the stars at night, and watching fireworks with our dogs curled up by our sides. There was something deeply healing in that simplicity—being in nature, sharing slow moments, and feeling a true sense of presence.

But what touched me most was a woman staying in the tiny house next to ours. She was an artist on her annual solo retreat. Each day, she set up her easel outside and painted in silence. I never disturbed her, but I watched from afar, captivated by the peaceful energy around her. Her presence was calm, grounded, and full of quiet joy.

That experience stirred something in me. When I returned home, I began coloring and painting—first in small ways, at home, in parks, and on future getaways. That was the beginning of my creative healing journey. And it’s what inspired me to create Retreats of Color—a space to explore creativity, healing, and the beauty of slow, soulful living.