PAUL

AN EMBODIED JOURNEY TO REMEMBERING

There is a unique kind of wounding that exists within the queer community; one that is deeply embodied, living not just in our minds but in our nervous systems, our breath, our muscles, our very being. Many of us have spent our lives contorting ourselves to fit into a world that wasn’t made for us. We have shrunk, tightened, braced, dissociated, or numbed ourselves to survive. But what if we could release that? What if we could reclaim our bodies, our desires, our softness, and our power?

That is the intention behind the Sacred Soul Soma Retreat I am hosting in Blaney Spa, County Fermanagh on the 16th to 18th May. An immersive, transformational space designed for those of us who carry the residues of shame, rejection, and suppression in our very bones. This retreat is not just about an experience; it is about somatic liberation, about coming home to ourselves in a way many of us never thought possible.

The Queer Body Holds the Trauma of a Lifetime

For many queer people, our earliest experiences of the world are marked by micro-traumas that shape the way we move through life. Whether it was the first time we were told we were “too much” or “not enough,” the sting of rejection from family, the fear of holding a lover’s hand in public, or the way we instinctively check a room before speaking freely; all these moments accumulate.

Even for those of us who have done “the work”; who have gone to therapy, found community, embraced self-love, there is often a lingering residue in the body. Our nervous systems remain in states of hypervigilance or shutdown. We may find it difficult to fully trust, to fully surrender, to fully breathe.

Why Heal Now?

In my work, I have seen people experience a deep, embodied sense of belonging for the first time. I have witnessed rigid fears dissolve, old traumas surface and be released, and joy break through where there was once only numbness. These experiences can be profoundly liberating, especially when held in a safe and intentional container. This retreat is not just about hoping for a revelation. It is a carefully structured journey, integrating somatic bodywork, breathwork, movement, and emotional release to ensure that what arises during the experience can be processed, embodied, and integrated into daily life.

The Power of a Healing Space

One of the most powerful aspects of this retreat is the community aspect; being surrounded by people who truly get it. Too often, even in wellness spaces, we have to explain or defend our experiences. Here, we don’t. There is an unspoken understanding, a shared language of survival, a collective holding that allows for a deeper level of surrender. Many of us have never had a fully safe space to explore our sexuality, our bodies, our desires, and our emotions without fear of judgment. In this retreat, we create that space together. A space where softness is not weakness, where vulnerability is strength, where our emotions; whether grief, rage, joy, or desire, are all welcomed as sacred.

A Journey of Deep Integration

Please note, this column is the opinion of the columinst and not that of GNI or Romeo & Julian Publiccations Ltd.

The retreat does not end when it is over. Too often, people have profound breakthroughs but struggle to bring those insights into their daily lives. That is why integration is a central part of this journey.

translate these experiences into real, lasting change. Whether that means learning to set boundaries, cultivating self-compassion, deepening intimacy, or finding new ways to express your authentic self, we will ensure that you leave with the tools to continue your healing.

Who Is This Retreat For?

This retreat is for individuals who are ready to go deep. You do not need to have prior experience with any modalities; only a willingness to explore, to feel, and to trust the process. It is for those who feel disconnected from their bodies, who struggle with self-acceptance, who want to release old wounds and step into a fuller, freer version of themselves. Whether you are newly exploring your queerness or have been out for decades, whether you come with excitement or trepidation, you will be met with warmth, care, and deep respect.

Final Thoughts

Healing is not a linear path, and it is certainly not a solitary one. As queer people, we heal in community. We heal when we are seen, when we are held, when we are given permission to take up space.

This retreat is an invitation to come home to yourself, to your body, to your joy. To release what no longer serves you and to step into the wholeness that has always been your birthright.

If you feel the call, I would love to walk this journey with you.

Paul McAllister- Soul Script IG: soulscript.pm Facebook: soulscript.pm Email: soulscript.pm@gmail.com