the journal: a retreat testimonial from naïla charkaoui
Hello there soul sister,
I recently was interviewed by OkayAfrica and in doing that I reached out to some past attendees to get their take on their experience at Out of Office Creative Retreats. Naïla Charkaoui, a co-creator from Vol. 2, was so kind to give us a testimonial of her experience. Here is a first hand account or her experience.
who are you, and what do you do?
I’m Naïla Charkaoui, a stylist and designer based in Marrakech.
how did you first hear about the retreat? what made you want to join?
I first heard about the retreat through Sally, the founder, and I had also seen the first creative retreat, Volume 1, in Marrakech on Instagram. The idea of bringing women together in a creative and safe space immediately drew me in, but what truly made me say yes was the opportunity to share something deeply personal, my craft.
With my sister, we led a leatherwork session, passing down a skill that runs in our family. It was incredibly special to share that heritage with the women at the retreat, to see them connect with it, and to create something meaningful together. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, I had never done anything like this before, but looking back, I’m so grateful I said yes.
what were your expectations before vs. what did you take away from it afterward?
Before the retreat, I was a bit nervous because, even though I knew a couple of the women, I was stepping into a space with many new faces. I didn’t know what to expect or if I would truly connect with everyone.
But the retreat turned out to be a deeply transformative experience. It allowed me to open up in a way I never had before. As someone who can be a bit reserved, I found myself laughing, crying, and sharing without fear. This retreat came at exactly the right moment in my life, I left feeling like I had been reborn. To be honest, it took me a month to fully come back down to earth, and even now, I think about it so often because of how much it impacted me.
what were your favorite moments? why did you choose to come back?
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. It was raw, emotional, and incredibly powerful. I also loved the moments when we all danced together, those joyful, carefree celebrations that felt so special.
I chose to come back because this retreat is rare. It’s a space where connection, creativity, and growth happen in such an organic way. It’s a reminder of the beauty in sharing our stories and the strength that comes from lifting each other up.
what about it being an all-women retreat makes it special?
There’s a unique power in being surrounded by women. We have this unspoken understanding of each other, a bond that doesn’t need words. When we come together, we don’t have to explain ourselves or justify our emotions, because we just get it. It’s a kind of magic that only happens when women connect on that deep level.
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. There’s something incredibly freeing about being able to express your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. We weren’t just sharing stories, we were sharing power. There’s this silent acknowledgment between us that we’re all on our own journeys, but we’re never truly alone. The retreat really allowed that to shine.
reflections:
Reading testimonials makes my heart so full. Each retreat is crafted with such intention, to foster creativity, connection, and a sense of belonging. Seeing how these experiences have impacted our attendees reaffirms why I do this work. It’s not just about hosting a retreat; it’s about creating a space where people feel seen, held and inspired.
Blessings, light, and love,
Your friend Sally