https://www.optinward.com/blog daily 0.75 2021-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540341870192-TGSVM5EY6RC2E84LI6UC/botanical-close-up-color-185499.jpg Articles https://www.optinward.com/blog/2021/2/16/what-to-expect-at-a-virtual-retreat monthly 0.5 2021-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1613496114667-4AFYUP1006DSOYCNW5LC/laptop+and+mug+of+tea+on+wicker+tray Articles - What to Expect at a Virtual Retreat Photo by Lauren Mancke on Unsplash https://www.optinward.com/blog/2020/12/15/5-meaningful-ways-to-create-togetherness monthly 0.5 2020-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1608068064157-3EHZCZ2EWQIP8M3YVGPR/dollar-gill-mRiTFDY1Ak4-unsplash_edited.jpg Articles - 5 Meaningful Ways to Create Togetherness When You're Apart Photo by Dollar Gill on Unsplash https://www.optinward.com/blog/2020/10/8/5-awesome-audio-apps-for-focus-relaxation monthly 0.5 2020-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1602191187148-JLDOJ4YVH7QI0UDD8BHB/fpvmat-a-bXjqPckmLD8-unsplash.jpg Articles - Wave Hello to 5 Awesome Audio Apps for Focus and Relaxation https://www.optinward.com/blog/seasonal-mind-mapping monthly 0.5 2020-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1585082671418-OA1O4P43I3G8ADA5QX7Q/priscilla-du-preez-8fdsux4XgDQ-unsplash.jpg Articles - Mind Mapping: Finding Your Way to What You Need https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1585081495818-RKVC2WHH5R7M6H23RRJU/spring-mindmap.jpg Articles - Mind Mapping: Finding Your Way to What You Need https://www.optinward.com/blog/2019/1/31/why-making-something-may-be-the-self-care-you-need-right-now monthly 0.5 2021-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1548985322327-0T5QW4FZUQYV4RX2PU51/image-asset.jpeg Articles - Why Making Something May Be the Self-Care You Need Right Now https://www.optinward.com/blog/tag/creativity monthly 0.5 https://www.optinward.com/welcome daily 1.0 2022-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540341446645-15BOY2ZIOG11YUGNPG58/beautiful-blossom-botanic-1046348.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477684219765-FPMXXUX9L4YQMLWJJF0J/_resized-20140302_trade-151_0800.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477685179534-Z7D2YJ7C6YEZWFT1PF91/_resized-Aro-Ha_0498.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1480622727871-9K4BTPKHQVUMX6AJJC2I/_resized-20140228_Trade-151_0046.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1473197848295-XPXEXWWCHXZBNAJPIG5A/Aro+Ha_0439.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477950430530-9ELCLS0ZWY44IBQGX5K4/image-asset.jpeg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1478009458978-SIVTPL7NYTE5PF1A16EA/image-asset.jpeg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1478008879948-MCOJOMR721OY8PC2LUVA/image-asset.jpeg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477684594526-MTMDSZBNHMW8MLX0O6O9/_resized-Aro-Ha_0986.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477684638873-DK8NTOO86FXFIO1M8HOR/_resized-20140301_Trade-151_0178.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477684711955-E6N9KL3H5L8ISNZO26HQ/_resized-20140301_Trade-151_0134.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477684749194-D16VCYHM5QSDEL2CVEY0/_resized-Aro-Ha_0707.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477926121310-8FLFQ9FBCG67B2U0D8B6/_resized-20140302_Trade-151_0422.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477926186255-QQJDBB4D6TD73RH27KZJ/_resized-Aro-Ha_0539.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477926240527-F58XZJ6HY4SPTQRPM4JU/_resized-20140302_Trade-151_0393.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477926250307-64DRZKZGNJQ92U6Z6J4G/_resized-Aro-Ha_0630.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1477926261144-7FK8VEEC8TNT6V93WHZI/_resized-Aro-Ha_1032.jpg Welcome https://www.optinward.com/plan-for-you daily 0.75 2021-04-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1589239931912-MA2MPXDWNEPJGM3EH61T/erol-ahmed-aIYFR0vbADk-unsplash.jpg Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1589241374053-0F40YTMM1G7OQ411D83U/annie-spratt-zu-OdjJRa0w-unsplash.jpg Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1599679419741-2MH9AT7G9Y8ZJXLCARBV/element5-digital-z6i_UCBuu5Q-unsplash.jpg Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1589241374053-0F40YTMM1G7OQ411D83U/annie-spratt-zu-OdjJRa0w-unsplash.jpg Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1589241087908-YNM7VI3LXSOU8YXKLQQH/IMG_6256.JPEG Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat - Hi, I’m Cat! I help people get intentional with their ‘me time’ so they can focus on what really matters in life. I work with women, creatives, and anyone who feels a connection between themselves and the greater story of things. I believe that taking care of your spiritual self is a beautiful way to remind yourself of your own innate belovedness. In my own ‘me time,’ I enjoy all manner of fiber crafts (sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery), cooking Chopped-style from whatever's in the fridge, brainstorming in my journal, and curling up with a good YA novel. I created Plan For You for women to come together to honor their deep desires, to open their eyes to the tools they already have, and to have a great time learning to meet their needs in creative ways. I’m excited to share the grounding power of retreat and ritual with you and to lead us all to a more calm, human place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1589242313667-3SKIBFKQWTNIOVXHMD6W/my-life-journal-bX-N-0sz8gg-unsplash.jpg Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat - What else people are saying about working with me… "I was looking for a few moments of internal stillness and some self-care tips. What Cat helped me to find was permission to take care of myself. Together we made a plan to explore the things that make me happy and add them to my routine." – Ashley A. "My conversation with Cat helped me to move forward with concrete steps related to my spiritual journey. She helped to create a space for mutual give & take, empowering me to grow with confidence." – Michael P. "Cat has a superpower—she listens better than any person I know. And that superheroine power translated into the exact Retreat Box that I needed." – Brandi H. "I was reminded that taking some time for yourself and to really focus on one aspect of life is really great. The fact that this experience was customized and personalized was what made the whole thing so impactful." – Katie C. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1604334593322-8JQ13NKWXM3PPW3AVR3D/tara-headshot.jpg Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1599935384016-K7IHU8K73QHI6KXV1SUO/meagan-headshot.jpg Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1613759657939-JF2EUOQNI973XRJNAQ99/March+2021.png Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat - Growth: March 13 & 14, 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1613759657963-43A96QABK0KZQBVP8IS5/May+2021.png Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat - Play: May 22 & 23, 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1613759663783-GNZG3VRVIXSQY22YIBDN/September+2021.png Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat - Noticing: September 18 & 19, 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1613760444889-V3KOBZM8TRTHUL843B0K/2021+Plan+for+You+Retreats+%284%29.png Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat - Gratitude: November 20 & 21, 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1613764591432-5FKLQ56BQJH3BPXIO8ZO/lauren-headshot.png Plan For You: A Virtual Retreat https://www.optinward.com/light daily 0.75 2021-01-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1609453293883-9KHQRN7W2N877EY0EEYY/louis-tripp-4C7MaqiMgqI-unsplash.jpg Welcoming the Light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1609453536415-TBCNKHUOJVYZ652ZAA6H/mohamed-nohassi-odxB5oIG_iA-unsplash.jpg Welcoming the Light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1609454463044-FMD3LIWNNQ7I54JWZ6ZL/jasper-graetsch-o5oaFkNfNOI-unsplash.jpg Welcoming the Light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1609515009135-E37GP01YRXOGTF2P94OP/Welcoming+the+Light.png Welcoming the Light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1589241087908-YNM7VI3LXSOU8YXKLQQH/IMG_6256.JPEG Welcoming the Light - Hi, I’m Cat! I help people get intentional with their ‘me time’ so they can focus on what really matters in life. I work with women, creatives, and anyone who feels a connection between themselves and the greater story of things. I believe that taking care of your spiritual self is a beautiful way to remind yourself of your own innate belovedness. In my own ‘me time,’ I enjoy all manner of fiber crafts (sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery), cooking Chopped-style from whatever's in the fridge, brainstorming in my journal, and curling up with a good YA novel. I created Welcoming the Light for women to come together to honor their hopes in community and to kick off 2021 with a big dose of collective creativity and intention. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1599935384016-K7IHU8K73QHI6KXV1SUO/meagan-headshot.jpg Welcoming the Light https://www.optinward.com/tending-the-light daily 0.75 2021-11-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1609454463044-FMD3LIWNNQ7I54JWZ6ZL/jasper-graetsch-o5oaFkNfNOI-unsplash.jpg Tending the Light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1637699713316-KPMYPWURJR7DS8B6542T/sixteen-miles-out-iSyyY1GfYSw-unsplash.jpg Tending the Light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1637699973903-M5X18CEB5K8O1UJSCEP4/joanna-kosinska-FxNjEkDJSxQ-unsplash.jpg Tending the Light https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/d7da46b1-3050-4c10-9e39-d16e14ec95c8/cat-and-lauren.jpg Tending the Light - Hi, we’re Cat & Lauren! Cat (top left, she/her) is a writer, mother, wife, Presbyterian youth worker, and retreat creator who works with folks seeking sacred space for meaningful pause in their busy lives. She enjoys all things crafting, board games, movies, and cooking, and she lives north of Asheville, N.C. with her husband, son, and rescue hound dog. Lauren (top right, she/her) is a writer and teacher of writing whose idea of fun = a bunch of folks sitting around talking about the words they just found. There's an MDiv and years in the classroom + being a parent and human that guides her writing workshops. She lives in High Point, N.C. and believes deeply that all you really gotta do is try to get quiet and sometimes God shows up. We created Tending the Light because we believe that gathering with others (even over Zoom) is one of the surest ways to remember our own gifts and to receive the gifts we didn't know we needed from others and from God. We also love to create words and stuff and rituals but unless we make time to do all that, those loves can get lost in the shuffle of life. We created this offering because we want to tend to our hearts and to yours! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1599935384016-K7IHU8K73QHI6KXV1SUO/meagan-headshot.jpg Tending the Light https://www.optinward.com/retreat-herbal-medicine-101-moksha daily 0.75 2026-03-21 https://www.optinward.com/retreat-backpacking-moksha daily 0.75 2026-03-21 https://www.optinward.com/connect daily 0.75 2019-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540343584688-0C4MEV0NI40JGWQ2C9SW/beautiful-blossom-botanic-1046348.jpg Connect With Me https://www.optinward.com/about daily 0.75 2020-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540342048323-AJ7HWVCX5PV9NA9K4XLK/4k-wallpaper-calm-waters-dark-1252869.jpg About Cat Kessler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540342664096-Z2Z1ER8RATZ6E5T632X9/IMG_6344.JPG About Cat Kessler - Hello! Pleased to meet you. https://www.optinward.com/coaching-questionnaire daily 0.75 2019-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1547342388418-2I72559JOGA4LIPBCZFN/image-asset.jpeg Coaching Questionnaire https://www.optinward.com/retreat-guide-evaluation daily 0.75 2019-01-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1547342388418-2I72559JOGA4LIPBCZFN/image-asset.jpeg Retreat Guide Evaluation https://www.optinward.com/retreat-box daily 0.75 2019-09-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540343931838-NRA0JYKNSM2QPPMR9SVK/dirt-road-forest-landscape-163703.jpg Personal Retreat Box https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540431844866-USV5H6H8OJIZRZHBPFAO/hand-journal-notebook-34072.jpg Personal Retreat Box https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540431845118-8PUGFZMZRZFWWF7J4IDH/aromatic-black-background-ceramic-cup-734983.jpg Personal Retreat Box https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540431834038-4YEXE98088D8QAT9XM20/fashion-footwear-grass-631988.jpg Personal Retreat Box https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1540431833936-H1G4GXXLUD2E6ZL897Z5/art-blur-burnt-243125.jpg Personal Retreat Box https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1553968963759-ULZQMXWE0VCI9OVK72KU/Personal+Retreat+Experience+Comparison+Matrix.png Personal Retreat Box https://www.optinward.com/coaching daily 0.75 2019-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1553816252547-ZGGGF4NHOBTP2ACCCXIE/image-asset.jpeg Self-Care Coaching & Ritual Creation https://www.optinward.com/work-with-me daily 0.75 2020-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b91cfde1137a627e01e77ad/1554080263380-8J0B19JF6C8TMHAHHZEZ/above-aerial-aerial-view-931018.jpg Work With Me https://www.optinward.com/retreat-hm101-header-moksha daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://www.optinward.com/retreat-hm101-divider-moksha daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57bf309d46c3c410fdf9cc34/1481209883413-DS1YHYQ8SWW6YPETW4HF/_resized-Aro-Ha_1059-2.jpg Retreat - HM101 - Divider https://www.optinward.com/store daily 0.75 2020-11-02