the journal: OkayAfrica feature: “this all-women creative retreat immerses you in moroccan artistry and the safety of sisterhood”

Hello there soul sister,

One of my biggest joys with Out of Office Creative Retreats is seeing the way it brings creative women together. It’s always been about more than a gathering; it’s about the women who show up, share, and create something bigger than themselves. So, when OkayAfrica recently featured me and Out of Office Creative Retreats in an article, I felt deeply grateful that this mission is resonating beyond our retreats.

The Mission Behind Out of Office
The piece dives into why I started Out of Office Creative Retreats: to carve out space for creatives to disconnect from their daily life and reconnect with their creativity in the comfort of sisterhood. A reminder that creativity doesn’t happen in isolation. We need each other. We thrive on conversation, inspiration, and collaboration and a few delicious meals and sun-kissed moments always help ignite new ideas.

Capturing the Essence of the Retreat
What I loved about the article is how it captured the essence of what we do, not just the logistics of a retreat but the feeling of it. The magic that happens when you take a chance on an experience like this, on yourself, on the idea that work and life don’t have to be separate worlds.

Voices from the Sisterhood
The article also dives into the perspectives of past attendees and co-creators, giving voice to the impact of the retreat in their own words.

• Rania Malek’s Transformative Experience
  Moroccan producer, model, and art director Rania Malek, who has been a part of Out of Office since its inception, shared that attending an all-women retreat was transformative. "It's the most beautiful and necessary aspect of it. In today's world, women have more responsibilities than ever—we work harder, carry more, and often don't have time to simply be with each other. We are losing that sense of sacred gathering."

• Naïla Charkaoui on the Power of Connection
  Moroccan stylist and designer Naïla Charkaoui, who led a leatherwork session, described the retreat as a space of understanding: "We have this unspoken understanding of each other, a bond that doesn't need words. Being in this all-women space felt like a true celebration of the strength we carry as women, a space where vulnerability was met with empathy and support."

Creating Sacred Spaces for Women
That sense of sacred gathering is something that resonates deeply with me. The retreat is not just about working on a craft—it’s about creating an environment where women feel free to be themselves, to connect, and to share their experiences without the pressure of daily obligations. A space where women from all over the world can come together to create, rest, and rediscover themselves through connection and creativity. As Naïla beautifully put it, "Some of my favorite moments were the storytelling circles, where we sat together and shared our experiences. Each woman had a completely different path, yet somehow we all saw pieces of ourselves in each other."

A Call to Join Us

If you’ve been to an Out of Office Creative Retreats retreat, you know the power of showing up for yourself and for a community of like-minded creatives. And if you haven’t yet—maybe this is your sign. Step away from the daily grind, immerse yourself in a new culture, and reconnect with your creative spirit in a supportive and inspiring environment.

A heartfelt thank you to OkayAfrica for featuring our journey and mission. You can read the full article here.

Blessings, Light, and Love,

Your friend Sally