It’s been nearly two and a half years since we relocated from Sydney to the Hunter Valley, seeking a slower pace of life, deeper connection to nature, and the opportunity to grow Prana Estate into a wellness retreat destination.

That move meant selling our perfect little home in a neighbourhood we loved, saying goodbye to dear friends, and leaving behind all the little conveniences that once felt so close and easy. It also meant my husband lovingly put aside many of his own dreams to follow me to the country with our two girls, trusting the vision I had for our family and for Prana Estate.

The adjustment has been complex in parts.

Moving from a block less than 400sqm to 18 acres has gifted us something completely different – space, nature, privacy, and the absence of nearby fence lines or peering into someone else’s window. It has given us beauty, peace, quiet, and the soundtrack of bellbirds by day, shifting into crickets and frogs as night settles in.

The darkness of the sky without light pollution still takes my breath away. When the stars come out, it’s clear, expansive, and magnificent. The fresh, crisp morning air feels deeply nourishing as we sit and watch the sun rise over the land.

The freedom the girls now have to run, scream, build, create, and simply be children feels endless.

That same space also offers a sense of calm for me. Looking out at the bushland that surrounds us naturally creates a deeper breath, a quiet gratitude for the smaller things in life, and a profound appreciation for nature itself.

City living and country living are vastly different in so many ways, but most of all, it’s the sounds of nature that soften the nervous system and allow the body to slow down just that little bit more.

Over the past year, we renovated the main cottage on the property and extended its living area. As with many original miner’s cottages, the bedrooms were generous, but the living quarters were minimal. So we doubled the size and somehow built what feels like an accidental masterpiece.

We say accidental because while we had a practical vision for a kitchen, living, and dining space, what we didn’t expect was the sheer magnitude of the ceilings and the beautiful finishes that now make it feel so special and deeply welcoming.

Since moving in at the end of November last year, we’ve truly settled in and thoroughly enjoyed the space.

During the renovations, we moved into the second cottage on the property, which was incredibly handy. But as it was an Autumn/Winter build, being confined to a smaller family room with the four of us definitely felt constraining at times.

The build went as well as it could have, but it was still stressful.

The budget blew out quickly, with the cost of materials feeling extreme. Add in the pressure of cramped living conditions, and peak stress levels were definitely reached. From my perspective, I know I wasn’t always showing up as the best version of myself either.

Fast forward to 2026, entering the year of the Fire Horse, and I now feel far more at peace and at ease.

Our home is mostly complete, with just the external finishing touches left to do, and we are finally finding our groove again as a family unit.

This year has been dedicated to coming back to myself and to the relationships within my family, creating more presence, connection, and ease in our day-to-day life.

Growing up as an only child with a father who was a builder, I witnessed firsthand the stress that building placed on family life. It became one of my life mantras that I would never build my own home.

And yet, here I was, renovating and extending a home in the middle of what once felt like nowhere.

Like any big life chapter, the build brought its own lessons – patience, surrender, resilience, and the importance of slowing down when life feels full.

With that season now behind us, I’ve consciously dedicated more of my energy to myself, my family, and the parts of life that feel most nourishing.

I feel deeply grateful to my husband for the belief and support he had in me, in my vision for a different life for our girls, and for the expansion of Prana Estate into what it is becoming.

Now that we’re halfway through 2026, I can see just how much has shifted since the beginning of the year. There is still plenty unfolding, but I feel a deeper sense of steadiness within myself, our family, and the life we’re creating here on the land.

I’ve also returned to offering 1:1 Breathwork and Emotion Code sessions exclusively from the property, creating a more intimate and personalised experience for those seeking healing, clarity, and nervous system support in nature.

As Prana Estate continues to evolve, we’re also beginning to open the cottage to guests seeking a peaceful country escape. Rather than listing it widely on booking platforms, we’ll be sharing it more intentionally through word of mouth, referrals, and our community. This land is incredibly special to us, and we’re mindful about preserving the quiet, restorative energy that makes it what it is. We want the people who stay here to genuinely appreciate the beauty of nature, the slower pace, and the opportunity to simply exhale.

With the renovations now complete, the cottage welcoming guests, and the vision beginning to take shape, it’s time for me to focus fully on Prana Estate in the Hunter Valley – offering private or group breathwork sessions, intimate wellness retreats, and restorative accommodation stays in nature.

This is why we’re here.

To enjoy nature. To be of service. To create a sanctuary where others can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves.

Because that’s what I’ve learned most through this journey:
A constantly activated nervous system is not nourishment.
Living in perpetual busyness, stress, and fight-or-flight is self-sabotage.

Nature invites us back into the exhale.

It reminds us that healing doesn’t always require force – sometimes it simply asks us to soften.

And being here on the land has shown me just how much the body responds when it feels safe enough to slow down.

Even with the challenges, the relocation was absolutely worth it.

Worth it for our girls, who are flourishing in the country lifestyle.

They attend a fabulous nearby school, have settled in beautifully, and have embraced everything this life offers – horse riding lessons, helping with the chickens, driving the buggy around the property, and enjoying the freedom that comes with space and nature.

And this brings me to something deeper I’ve realised.

There are many parts of me that require my love, presence, and attention.

Wife. Mother. Daughter. Land caretaker. Small business owner and healer through Breathwork and Emotion Code. Retreat facilitator. Chicken feeder and occasional vet. Gardener. Friend. And, perhaps the role that surprises people the most, a part-time retail employee helping customers with firearms, lawn mowers, chainsaws, and everything in between.

Each role calls forward a different expression of myself, whether it’s the way I dress, the way I speak, or the energy I bring.

And honestly, I love it all.

I love that I can wear feminine clothes and step into my spiritual healer side while facilitating breathwork sessions, then move straight into my more grounded, practical energy in work gear mowing the lawn or carrying materials, only to finish the day in my daggiest clothes at home with unwashed hair, no makeup, and the beautiful freedom of simply being.

That freedom of choice is something I treasure deeply.

I can honestly say I am a far better mother now than I was during my corporate years, when I was juggling career pressure, household responsibilities, and constant mental load.

Now I have time for the girls.

Time to take them to activities, create special one-on-one moments, and truly be present in this precious stage of their childhood.

Cooking, long drives, shopping, girls’ nights in matching PJs, tacos, movies, and all piling into one bed for the night – this is what life is really about.

Now that things have settled, I can focus on why I truly felt called to the country in the first place.

While I moved here seeking a simpler life and space to build Prana Estate, it hasn’t necessarily been easier.

There’s more maintenance. It takes almost four days to mow the land. The drive into town is longer.

But there’s no traffic.

We collect fresh eggs from our chickens, breathe fresh country air, and spend more of our lives outdoors.

And yes, chickens are not what social media makes them look like. They’re beautiful, hilarious, and grounding, but they are also hard work.

Still, even the chaos feels part of the medicine of this land.

One of the most rewarding moments this year was welcoming a group of six women who stayed at the cottage for a two-night getaway at the end of May.

What was intended to be a simple weekend away quickly became a reminder of exactly why we created this space in the first place.

The women arrived on Friday afternoon and settled in with a cheeseboard and their favourite wines, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and the comfort of the cottage. Rather than filling their weekend with sightseeing or rushing from one activity to the next, they chose to simply be here.

On Saturday morning, I offered a selection of optional wellness activities, and the group chose a grounding and guided meditation session on the property. Sitting together in nature, surrounded by birdsong and fresh country air, it was a beautiful reminder of how powerful it can be to simply slow down and breathe.

That evening, I cooked dinner for the group – homemade pizzas, fresh salads, and chocolate mousse for dessert. We gathered around the fire pit eating dinner, sharing stories, laughing, and conversing well into the evening.

One guest also chose to experience a private Emotion Code session during her stay, which felt like a natural extension of the restorative weekend she had come seeking.

What I loved most was that the women didn’t feel the need to leave the property. They enjoyed the cosy cottage, the quiet space, and the opportunity to reconnect with themselves and each other without an agenda.

On Sunday morning, they enjoyed a relaxed start to the day before taking advantage of a late checkout, leaving rested, recharged, and already talking about returning.

Watching that weekend unfold reminded me that Prana Estate doesn’t need to be complicated. Sometimes what people need most is a comfortable space, good food, meaningful connection, nature, and permission to slow down.

So if you’re craving a wellness retreat in the Hunter Valley, a restorative getaway near Sydney, or simply a safe place to experience 1:1 Breathwork and nervous system healing, Prana Estate was created for exactly that.

A place where you can be held without judgement.

A place where your body can finally rest.

A place where you can come home to yourself.

Whether that’s through a private Breathwork session, an Emotion Code experience, a restorative weekend in the cottage, or simply sitting beneath the stars with nowhere else to be, my hope is that you leave feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected to what truly matters.

After all, sometimes healing isn’t about becoming someone new.

Sometimes it’s simply about remembering who you were before life became so busy.