Day One

Arrival & excavation

Who have I been performing?

Total time · ~90 minutes · 5 sections

Ritual · Preparation ~10 min

Setting the retreat space

Before we begin, I want you to do a few things for yourself. This is not optional — it is the first act of today's retreat. The care you put into this space tells your body and your mind that what's about to happen matters.

Your arrival ritual

Light your candle and let the scent fill the room

Wrap yourself in your blanket or put on something soft and comfortable

Pour something warm to drink and hold it in both hands for a moment

Put your phone face down — or in another room entirely

Open your journal to a fresh, clean page

Take three slow breaths. Let your shoulders drop. You are here now.

When you feel settled — not perfect, just present — scroll down and press play.

Video · Welcome ~15 min

Recentering the camera

Nicole speaks directly to you — not as a professional, as a person. This video is about giving yourself permission to put down the public version for the next 90 minutes.

Video · Recentering the camera

When the video ends, keep your journal open. The next section begins the real work of Day One.

Exercise · Guided ~30 min

The Outer Bio analysis

You're holding the version of you that most people see — the program bio, the website blurb, the version that goes in press releases and award letters. We're going to read it differently today. Not as something to be proud of. As a story that has power over how you move.

Pull up your professional bio

Your website, LinkedIn about section, or your institution's faculty page. If you have it printed, even better. Have it in front of you now.

Read it slowly — all the way through

Not skimming. Not editing. Read every word as if you are reading someone else's story. Notice what lands differently when you slow down.

Highlight in two colors

Use the guide below. Go through your entire bio before moving on.

Add margin notes

In the margins — or in your journal — jot brief honest reactions as you go. Use the prompts below.

Color One

Everything that feels deeply true and still alive. The parts aligned with who you actually are today. "Yes — this is me."

Color Two

Anything that feels outdated, inflated, performative, or heavy. Phrases that belong more to the institution than to your soul. "This is technically true — but it doesn't feel like me."

Margin note prompts — jot what comes up

"This cost me more than people know."

"This is who they want, not who I am now."

"I'm actually proud of this."

"This feels like a mask."

"I don't even remember why this mattered to me."

Take your time with this. There is no rush. When you've worked through your entire bio, scroll down to the reflection section.

Reflection · Journal ~20 min

What does your bio say about you?

You've just read your bio as a story rather than a credential. Now I want you to write. Use these two prompts — take as much time as you need with each one. There are no wrong answers here. There is only what's true for you.

Journal prompts · write freely, don't edit

01 When I look at what I highlighted in color two — the parts that feel performative or heavy — what do I notice? What has this version of me been carrying that I never chose?

02 If someone who truly knew me — not my title, not my accomplishments, but me — wrote my bio, what would they include that isn't on that page?

Write until you stop. Then write one more sentence. That last sentence is usually the truest one.

When you feel complete — not done, just complete for today — watch Nicole's closing video below.

Video · Close ~5 min

Closing Day One

You did something brave today. Watch this before you close your journal.

Video · Closing Day One

Before you go

Close your journal. Blow out your candle intentionally — not as a task, as a closing. Let today's work settle without picking it apart.

You don't need to have figured anything out. You just need to have been honest. And you were.

Day Two opens tomorrow — or whenever you're ready. It will be waiting.

Community prompt — share when you're ready

"What word came up for you today? Drop it in the community — no explanation needed."

When you're ready to continue

Take me to Day Two