* Ticket sales for our November event have now closed, and we are taking expressions of interest for Jan / Feb 2025.

Please contact Bek Smith directly on 0412 111 957 or bek@smithandwellness.com for enquiries, or scroll down and "Contact Host" toward the bottom of this page. *

Fri 15th, Sat 16th and Sun 24th November, 2024, from 10am - 5pm each day

Holy matriMOANy.

This retreat is for anyone who has ever cringed at the expectation to "settle down" and "start a family", as if this should be the ultimate life goal for all of us. 🤨

The White Picket Fallacy is three days of connecting and learning with like-minded others... people who are questioning the status quo when it comes to family structures and relationships. It is also for anyone who has previously bought into the fallacy, and has now seen the spark of alternative possibilities in their life! You are welcome to join us if you are:

exploring non-normative relationships, such as non-monogamy or queer platonic connections
questioning nuclear family dynamics
rejecting the idea of marriage and children from the get-go
finding new ways to integrate marriage / parenting / relationships into your life
a member of the LGBTQIA+ community who has worked hard to carve out your own identity, and doesn't want to default to "traditional" gender and family roles

This retreat is NOT for you if:

you're holding on to your white picket fantasy whilst grieving the loss of some part of it
you think marriage is the ultimate relationship goal but you just haven't found "the one" yet
you believe your way of doing relationships is *the* right way

Our goals for the White Picket Fallacy retreat are to:

reassure you that there is nothing wrong with you in questioning the status quo
give you the psychological skills to navigate a world that expects you to fit into someone else's mould
connect you with a community that is walking an alternative path, so you don't have to walk it alone

Here's our structure. We'll come together on a Friday and Saturday one weekend, where Day 1 and Day 2 will be focused on getting to know each other, and also getting to know ourselves a little more. Then we'll take a break for a week, giving you some time to reflect on what we've covered, and regroup the following Sunday for Day 3. Our topics for discussion will be:

Day 1: Who am I? Getting clear on our sense of self, minus the socially-constructed roles of "wife", "husband", "breadwinner", "mother", "provider", "nurturer", "dad", "good girl" etc. Includes a deep dive into our strengths of character, our values, and our identity as creative beings.

Day 2: How am I? Exploring skills for checking in with ourselves, navigating challenges and considering how we show up in the world. Includes cognitive-behavioural techniques for self-awareness, emotional regulation, mindfulness and cultivating compassion.

~ Week-long break for reflecting on and practicing the above ~

Day 3: From me to we to us. Your relationships with friends, partners and community can grow, evolve and deepen more easily when they're not limited by social expectations. Our final retreat day includes an exploration of what authenticity means for you, a framework for deepening trust, and discussions on moving from fear to safety in relationships.

This is not a residential retreat - everyone will head home at the end of each day. However, it is fully catered (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea) so please let your host Bek know about any dietary requirements, and whether you do need help with accommodation if you are traveling into Adelaide.

*BONUS* Everyone who attends the White Picket Fallacy will receive a copy of Clementine Ford's 2023 book "I Don't: A Case Against Marriage" . . . PLUS Clementine is visiting Adelaide on Sunday Nov 24th to perform her show "Spinster" - the first five people who book for the retreat will receive a FREE ticket to her show, and we'll be finishing the retreat early that day for anyone who wants to attend!

If this is exactly what you never realised you needed, we're excited to meet you! If you're not sure yet if this is the right fit for you, you're very welcome to call and discuss any uncertainties with your host, Bek, on 0412 111 957. Having trouble coming up with $$ in time? No problem, give us a call to discuss a payment plan - we would rather have you there than not!

You get to be the author of your own life story. ✍🏽 😎

We offer the creative space where you can write the plotline. 📝 🙏🏽

We are stoked to be supported by the Feast Festival in offering this event. Click the Feast logo below to visit their website and check out the other LGBTQIA+ events happening around Adelaide from November 9th - 24th.