Earlier this year, I happened to see Florence advertising a September retreat in Tunis entitled “Stop Feeling Stuck.” The premise intrigued me, as I had been questioning my continued involvement in dance; even wondering whether I should continue at all, or whether there might be an alternative way to keep dance in my life by changing the nature of my practice and dance-business pursuits. It took me a while to decide whether I was going to make the trip to Tunisia, but in the end I decided to go for it, and I am very glad I did.
The retreat with Florence offered a thoughtful mix of creative exercises, dance activities, discussion, reflection and connection. While this retreat was rooted in dance, many of the creative practices felt relevant to anyone working in a creative field, whether dance, visual art, writing, music, or something else. The exercises were designed to help maintain creative momentum, spark inspiration, and let go of self-consciousness and self-judgement.
The dance activities were also quite different from what we might typically experience in a Raqs Sharqi class or workshop, though there was some of the familiar dance class activity as well. Rather than focusing primarily on learning choreography or developing technique, the exercises encouraged us to become more aware of our bodies, how energy flows through the frame of our anatomy, connect with our fellow dancers, experience synchronicity with the group using different movement qualities and styles, and take turns leading and following. It was an opportunity to experience dance in a more exploratory and relational way, not necessarily bound to the traditional movement aesthetic we focus on in a typical Raqs Sharqi class.
The discussions, both as a group and one-on-one, were particularly meaningful. They gave each of us space to work through different challenges we were experiencing in our dance lives and to question some of the assumptions we may have been making without realizing it. Sometimes we take on responsibility for things which are not our burden to bear. Sometimes we place unnecessary judgements on ourselves, Sometimes we push harder and harder in a particular direction without stopping to consider whether that direction is actually serving us, or whether there might be another way to work towards our personal dance goals.
I really appreciated how personalized, compassionate, and mutually supportive the environment was. Florence established clear ground rules for sharing and discussion very early on, which quickly created a sense of safety and encouraged honest, and at times vulnerable, conversations. There was a real sense that we were there to support one another rather than compare ourselves or compete. I was impressed by Florence’s willingness, as a dancer who has built an admirable international dance career, to speak openly about her own challenges at different stages of her life as a dance professional. Hearing about her experiences made the discussions feel grounded and genuine rather than prescriptive.
Our experiences also included outings that allowed us to explore some of the local culture and find creative inspiration in new ways, outside the dance studio. We were encouraged to look at what we encountered, consider what resonated with us, and challenge ourselves to articulate what we appreciated and how it might inspire our own creative work. This felt like a way to feed our creative souls, encouraging us to think about inspiration more broadly rather than assuming that the answer to feeling creatively stuck is simply to practise more dance moves.
I also appreciated that Florence invited us to take or leave her suggestions. We could try an idea on, see whether it felt right for us, and keep it if it was useful or leave it behind if it wasn’t. The group discussions about our reactions to the different creative exercises were particularly interesting because we each experienced and received them differently.
The retreat itself was very well organized. There was detailed communication beforehand to help us prepare, including opportunities to connect socially before we arrived. The schedule was thoughtfully planned while still allowing for adjustments as circumstances and the needs of the group changed. The exercises, handouts, and guided discussions were all clearly prepared with care. The setting also added positively to the experience. Our lodging in La Marsa, just steps from the beach, was comfortable and spacious, with enough different spaces for both group interaction and quiet individual reflection. And the food prepared by the vivacious Arbiya was delicious!
And what a wonderful group of women. I feel very lucky to have met and shared this experience with Sarah Safi Harb and Zahia Seya; both such inspiring people!
In short, I benefited greatly from my time at the retreat and left feeling re-energized. For me, “Stop Feeling Stuck” was a chance to pause, reflect, reconnect with why I dance, and consider different ways forward. I left with new ideas, new perspectives and, importantly, renewed energy and inspiration. In the end, my big question about whether it was time for me to quit completely was answered. I came away with a fresh way of thinking about how I want dance to remain in my life: by letting go of pursuits and responsibilities that don’t align with my personal goals, and saving my energy for the activities that better match my own vision of what I want to achieve in my dance life. I didn’t necessarily need to find a way to do more (and that was never the goal). I needed to give myself permission to do less of what wasn’t serving me, so that I could recognize and make room for what does.
I could see a retreat like this, offered at regular intervals, being particularly valuable for anyone who feels as though they are running out of creative or emotional energy and no longer has the drive or desire to keep approaching their dance in exactly the same way they have been. Every tank needs a refill now and then, and a reatreat such as this one hits the spot.
Would I recommend it?
I think a creative-reflection retreat such as this can be immensely useful at regular intervals. For those of us who stick around in a creative pursuit long enough, I think cyclical slumps are inevitable. We reach points where what once felt energizing starts to feel heavy, or even where we find ourselves questioning whether we still want to continue at all.
If you find yourself in one of those slumps, I would recommend checking out a future offering of Florence’s “Stop Feeling Stuck” retreat. You may not come away with a single definitive answer to all of your questions, but you might come away with a different way of looking at them, which can be just as valuable.
A few practical notes about travelling to Tunisia
If you haven’t travelled to Tunisia before, a few practical things are worth knowing.
Plan to arrive at least a day before the retreat if possible. I enjoyed having three days before the retreat, and I don’t regret the extra days one bit. It gave me time to adjust to the time zone, have a nice hammam experience, visit the beach, and generally settle in before the retreat began.
For taxis, make sure the meter is turned on so you don’t overpay. An even easier option is to download the InDrive app, which allows you to book taxis and know the price up front. You still need to pay the driver in cash, though, so keep some Tunisian dinars handy.
You can only obtain Tunisian dinars in Tunisia. If a currency exchange place in Canada offers you some, they might be the extinct variety. We encountered this on our first trip to Tunisia, so don’t get caught by surprise! There are plenty of currency exchange booths on arrival at the airport and around Tunis, so exchanging some money when you arrive is straightforward.
ATMs are readily available, as long as your card works internationally. If it has a Visa Debit logo on it, it should work. Most restaurants I visited accepted credit cards or tap-to-pay on my phone.
I found Tunisians to be very friendly and welcoming, and I felt completely safe throughout my travels in Tunisia, both on this trip and on a previous visit, including when travelling alone at night. As with any destination, normal travel awareness is still sensible.
And if you have the time, I highly recommend adding even more extra days to your trip. Tunis and the surrounding area have plenty to explore, and extending your stay gives you an opportunity to experience some of Tunisia beyond the retreat itself. If you have lots of time, touring farther afield around Tunisia is a fantastic experience that I can’t say enough good things about. Contact me if you’d like me to share the itinerary that a friend and I followed two years previously.
For me, the retreat was not just a reason to travel to Tunisia. It became a very worthwhile part of the journey, both creatively and personally.