THE CONVERSATION
WITH
SUSANNAH TAYLOR
FORMER BEAUTY AND HEALTH EDITOR AT VOGUE & GLAMOUR, FOUNDER OF GETTHEGLOSS.COM, ARTIST
Since forever, Susannah Taylor has been a guiding and trusted voice in the world of beauty and wellbeing. We absolutely love her soulful newsletter, The Glow Gazette, and her inspiring podcast series, Ways to Feel More Human-a journey into discovering what helps us thrive as human beings. physically, mentally, creatively, socially, and spiritually.
We met Susannah at Soho Farmhouse in the glorious summer sunshine and talked about life, beauty, skincare, and family. I shared my vision for everything I hoped The Collective would be, and Susannah listened, advised, and then shared her own love of retreats.
MY LIFELONG LOVE OF RETREATS
As a beauty and wellbeing editor who has worked on many well-known publications from Vogue to The Telegraph, Grazia and You magazine, I am incredibly lucky to have been a guest on many retreats. Over the years I’ve been on meditation courses, breathwork weekends, immersive yoga weeks, fitness kickstarters and ‘back to nature’ resets. I’ve done breathwork, paddleboard or ‘SUP’ yoga, conversed with my inner child, been on mountain bike rides and learnt about macrobiotic diets. Last year I even hosted a retreat myself – The Reconnection Retreat’ at the Body Holiday in St Lucia. It was all about getting offline and getting back to being more human. I think it’s safe to say I’m now a retreats veteran, a fully signed up member of the pro-retreats club if you like.
So what do I love about a retreat? For me, it’s a complete escape which is very different to a holiday. A holiday is only part-escape. Even though there may be sea, sunshine, a new view, and swimwear, on a holiday we still tend to take our everyday life with us in our suitcases . It might be a new location, but if you are a parent, there are the same tantrums, niggles, and ‘Mum what’s for breakfast/lunch/ dinner?’ questions. We still have to get the kids dressed, make decisions, find a supermarket, deal with everyone’s mosquito bites, intercept arguments and get on with our partners. A retreat on the other hand means total switch-off, a true escape from daily life, emails, screens and chores. A retreat is all about YOU, and a great one will take care of all the decisions. All you have to do is show up.
Some people worry that a retreat feels self indulgent. Others feel guilty leaving the kids at home. But my belief is that selfcare isn’t selfish, today it’s essential. When I went on my first retreat (a day retreat in London learning meditation in my twenties) there wasn’t the pressing need or ‘switch-off’ like there is today. Retreats weren’t really a ‘thing.’ Since that time our lives have been literally taken over by digital and screens. What was meant to make our life easier (and in some ways it does) is also overloading our brains – the Whatsapp groups, the inbox, the apps that ping and the brands that pester us with their marketing day in and day out. The world has sped up to a point that our brains can no longer keep up. Retreats can provide us with a much needed break. They are a reset, a time to rest our weary and overstimulated body and minds. They give us space, a new perspective and clarity.
I also see a retreat as a time to learn something new, something life enhancing that often sets us back on the right path. I always come away from time with a wonderful teacher with many golden nuggets under my belt to incorporate into everyday life. At home. That may be breathwork techniques to calm my racing mind, recipes for healthy meals or movement that shifts the way I feel. It’s vital, I think, to always keep learning in life so we can evolve and move with the times.
"Some people worry that a retreat feels self indulgent. Others feel guilty leaving the kids at home. But my belief is that selfcare isn't selfish, today it's essential."
SUSANNAH TAYLOR
Obviously I’ve been on some retreats that I wouldn’t on again. I’m all for getting back to basics and I fully embrace the need for simplicity in these hectic times. However, on one retreat I had to hang up a towel on the window of the hut I was sleeping in because there were no curtains. There was no lock on the door and the sheets were a strange Peptobismol pink. Then there was the meditation retreat where we focussed on the gap at the end of the inhale and exhale for 8 hours straight, or the one where the food was so disgusting we were all eating crisps all week. But this is why The Collective is such a genius idea – you can trust them to vet every location to ensure it’s top notch, and that they have found the best, most inspiring teachers. For many people, heading away, especially by yourself is a step outside their comfort zone and it’s important to feel safe and ultimately cared for.
Some people get hung up on the spiritual side of retreats, worried they may find themselves chanting, Om-ing or performing some form of tribal dance. In my experience of being on retreats there has barely been a time I felt uncomfortable or silly. But what you will find is that a gentle introduction to new philosophies will expand your mind, help you see life from a different vantage point and ultimately make you feel more connected to yourself and the world around you. And that for me is spirituality right there.
Above everything however, retreats are all about the people. Not just the teachers but the guests you meet. There is nothing more soul-enriching than being with a wonderful bunch of women having life affirming conversations, sharing our worries and being able to help others through our own experiences. On a retreat, friendships are always forged, tears may fall on others shoulders when stories are told, but there is always a great deal of laughter, honesty and sense of camaraderie. We are reminded of others’ struggles, the importance of togetherness and true connection and I always leave with my heart full to bursting. And despite the worries of the world I always feel so grateful for people and the planet we live on and the life I’m going back to .
Sign up Susannah’s newsletter The Glow Gazette at www.susannahtaylor.com
DISCOVER MORE CONVERSATIONS
CLAIRE VERO
After building the award-winning skincare brand Aurelia, Claire Vero found herself burnt out and craving space to breathe. A life-changing retreat helped her reset — and inspired her to create The Collective: a series of transformative wellness retreats designed for brilliantly busy women.
SUSANNAH TAYLOR
Since forever, Susannah Taylor has been a guiding and trusted voice in the world of beauty and wellbeing. We absolutely love her soulful newsletter, The Glow Gazette, and her inspiring podcast series, Ways to Feel More Human-a journey into discovering what helps us thrive as human beings. physically, mentally, creatively, socially, and spiritually.
TARA LEE
Meet the exceptional first guest teacher of The Collective—the wonderful Tara. Beyond being an incredible teacher, it’s Tara’s energy and presence that instantly create connection. She has guided hundreds of students over the years, bringing deep care and expertise to every practice.
CLARE RICHARDSON
One of the most respected and sought after names in the fashion industry, Clare Richardson has had a long and successful career as a stylist and tastemaker working with brands such as Hermes, Balenciaga and Calvin Klein. Clare shares her style suggestions for on retreats and the brands she loves.
RHIAN TRUMAN
At The Collective, our retreats are all about pressing pause—reviving the body, rebalancing the mind, and reigniting the soul.
Having recently served as resident facialist at SOHO farmhouse and set to start her next residency at Marbella Club, we are in for a treat as Rhian joins our Menorcan retreat 22nd-25th October.
@thecollectiveonretreat
