Monday morning started slow—exactly how I needed it to.
I slipped into my Fairmont robe and slippers and made my way to the hot tub, letting the warmth settle into my body after several packed and emotional days. It was one of those rare mornings where nothing needed to happen, and that in itself felt like a gift.
Back in my suite—this beautiful corner room wrapped in windows facing both the harbour and the city—I curled up on the windowsill, matcha oat milk latte in hand, and just sat with everything. My breakfast from Tractor was simple but nourishing, and for the first time in a long time, I gave myself permission to stay still.
This trip wasn’t just a retreat—it was a reset. And in that stillness, some truths floated up:
I’ve worked hard to get here.
I’ve carried a lot of pressure, sometimes trying to prove I’m enough.
I’ve questioned my worth more than I care to admit—especially when others don’t see the value I know I bring.
But something shifted this weekend. Between the quiet conversations, deep inner work, and new sisterhood, I remembered who I am outside the hustle.
I don’t need to do more to be worthy. I just need to keep showing up with heart and integrity—and trust that it’s more than enough.
Before heading to the airport, I took myself for a final treat—raspberry sorbet dipped in dark chocolate from Chocolats Favoris—and then hopped in a taxi to Butchart Gardens. I let myself wander without a plan, just soaking in the beauty. But it was the Rose Garden that truly stopped me. Something about the way it bloomed unapologetically, fully, wildly—it made me pause. It reminded me that growth can be both soft and powerful.
I ended my time in Victoria right there, among the roses, letting it all land.
Related Topics:
Sunday in Victoria: Water Taxis, Rose Gardens & Whale Watching
Elevated Reflections: A Real Estate Mastermind Retreat in Victoria, BC
Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.
