The Second Half of Life: A Creative Retreat for a Time of Deep Change
with Joanne Nelson
November 1-3, 2026 (Sunday through Tuesday)
The second half of life is not defined by a particular age. Rather, it begins in a moment brought about by all manner of life changing circumstances – a time when we recognize the need to reconsider who we are apart from occupations, daily duties, and our past.
Psychologist James Hollis writes that the second half of life is a time of deep change. A time when people, “for whatever reason – death of a partner, end of marriage, illness, retirement, whatever – are obliged to radically consider who they are apart from their history, their roles, and their commitments.”
Through writing, discussion, creative play, and mindfulness exercises we’ll create our own unique paths to the second half of life. Join us for this program of exploration during which we’ll gently uncover the transformative possibilities inherent in times of deep change.
Time to share written or other creative work is available, but never required!
Joanne is amazing! She creates a comfortable space for people to reflect, open, learn, and explore.
Joanne Nelson
Retreat Facilitator
Joanne Nelson is the author of the collection, My Neglected Gods and the memoir, This Is How We Leave. Her writing appears in numerous journals and anthologies. She won the Hal Prize in nonfiction, as well as other literary awards, and has contributed to Lake Effect on Milwaukee’s NPR station. Nelson lives in Hartland, Wisconsin, where she teaches at the university level and leads community programs. She gives presentations on mindfulness and writing, creativity, and the second half of life. Nelson holds an MFA from the Bennington Writing Seminars, an MSSW from the University of WisconsinMadison, and is a certified meditation instructor. More information is available at wakeupthewriterwithin.com
Love Joanne. She is grounded, humble, humorous, self-effacing in a delightful way. Her teaching style, fluid and relaxed, is informative as well as provocative. This ensured that each of us would have a great experience. Joanne is masterful in her spiritual practice as well as her adeptness as a teacher. I plan to take more of her offerings.