The Kind of Magic You Can’t Bottle: Reflections from the Roycycled Besties Retreat
From April 24th to 27th, fifty-three incredible women gathered in Safford, Arizona for something that started as a dream and became something I’ll never forget: the first Roycycled Besties Retreat. I’ve needed a few days to process it all, and even now, I know I’ll be unpacking it for months to come.
This wasn’t just a retreat. It was a creative homecoming.
We came together for three days of color, collage, and community—but what happened in that space went so far beyond the techniques I taught or the projects we completed. I watched women reconnect with parts of themselves they thought were gone. I saw nervous laughter transform into unshakable confidence. I saw the ripple effect of one brave woman inspiring another, again and again.
Why I Created This Retreat
The truth is, I’ve been carrying this idea in my heart for a long time. I’ve spent years building a business that helps women reclaim their creativity, especially those of us in our third act—the ones who’ve spent decades raising families, supporting others, and quietly setting our passions to the side.
I meet so many women who say, “I’m not really an artist, but…” as if creativity is something you have to earn. As if it’s reserved for some elite group. This retreat was my loud, joyful way of saying: Art is teachable. Creativity belongs to all of us. And it’s never too late to claim it.
The Power of Community (and a Special Thank You to Jane Bellante)
One of the things that struck me most was how little hand-holding was needed. In past settings, I’ve often needed to gently coax women past fear or doubt. But at the retreat? These women showed up ready. Ready to play. Ready to fail forward. Ready to encourage one another without judgment.
And a big reason for that readiness was the incredible work Jane Bellante did with our group.
Jane led us through powerful journaling sessions that invited deep reflection—and gentle confrontation. Her presence, wisdom, and ability to guide without pressure helped unlock something in so many of the attendees. She gave them tools to move past fear, to challenge limiting beliefs, and to root their creativity in personal truth.
The impact was immediate. You could see it in the art. You could feel it in the room.
Because of Jane’s guidance, our Besties weren’t just painting and pasting—they were processing. They were releasing. And they were saying yes to being mad scientists in the best way possible: curious, brave, and completely unafraid to mix the unexpected.
Jane didn’t just teach journaling—she created a soft place for people to land. And because of that, the creative risks felt less scary. The breakthroughs came faster. And the confidence? It was real, earned, and lasting.
I’m beyond grateful for the way she poured into our community. It wouldn’t have been the same without her.
What We Did (And What We Really Did)
On paper, the retreat schedule looked like a mix of fun hands-on workshops:
Color Mixology, where we explored the science and play of creating custom palettes
Printing Play with hand-carved stamps, stencils, and found objects
Creative Elements that layered texture and intention into our collage work
And of course, Putting It All Together, where each woman created her final piece infused with her own story
But here’s what we really did:
We broke rules.
We unlearned perfection.
We created safe space for each other to try, to mess up, to start over, to laugh at ourselves.
We healed parts of our creative identities that had been buried under years of “not enough.”
We weren’t just making art—we were making meaning.
Moments I’ll Never Forget
There are too many to count, but a few moments are seared into my memory:
The quiet morning hum of women chatting over coffee, flipping through their workbooks and feeling anticipation in the air.
The first time someone bravely said, *“I have no idea what I’m doing”—and was met with instant laughter and “me too’s” from across the room.
The sound of spontaneous clapping when someone stepped out of their comfort zone and created something completely different than they imagined.
Watching attendees connect in the hallways, on walks, over meals—sharing stories not just about art, but about life.
We even had a Thursday night mixer before the retreat officially began, and I believe that small gathering helped set the tone. It wasn’t just an icebreaker—it was a declaration: We’re in this together.
The Impact I Hope to Make
It’s easy to think this is all about teaching decoupage or mixed media. But if I’m honest, that’s just the gateway. What I really want is to create a space where women feel seen, heard, and inspired to start—even if they feel unsure, even if it’s messy, even if it takes time to build confidence.
My mission is to remind women in their 3rd act that they still get to dream, to grow, and to do something just for themselves.
And every time someone told me, “I haven’t made time for my creativity in years—thank you for this,” I felt it. Deep.
This retreat is part of a much bigger story. One where we give ourselves—and each other—permission to explore, play, and take up space as artists, however we define that.
A Word to Those Who Were There
If you made the trip to Safford, thank you. Truly. You gave your time, your energy, your heart—and you made this retreat what it was. Your bravery, your kindness, your laughter—it lit up every corner of that room. I will carry your stories with me for a long time.
You reminded me that I’m not alone in this mission. That what we’re doing together matters.
And If You Missed It…
I say this with love and absolutely no shame: You missed something special. But don’t worry—we’re already planning the 2026 retreat. And yes, the waitlist is open.
If your heart tugged at any point while reading this, if you’ve been waiting for a sign, or if part of you whispers, “maybe next time”… please hear me: it’s not too late. There’s room for you. There’s a seat at our table. And it would be an honor to hold space for your creative return.
Because the Roycycled Besties Retreat isn’t just a weekend getaway.
It’s a catalyst.
It’s a reclamation.
It’s a remembering.
And if I have anything to say about it—it’s only just the beginning.
With Deepest Gratitude
I’m honored by the support of this community. Every post, every email, every word of encouragement—it means the world to me. Thank you for helping me build something that feels honest, hopeful, and alive.
Let’s keep creating. Let’s keep becoming.
– Royce
GALLERY
