✨My Story. A Quiet Return. A Creative Unfolding.
Hello, I’m Kathy Barlow—joy guide, calm whisperer, retreat weaver, lifelong creative.
A prairie girl at heart, I hang my cozy clothes just east of the Canadian Rockies.
For most of my life, I was the capable one. The helper. The caregiver.
My story changed at age eleven, the night my dad died suddenly of a heart attack—while dancing at my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. He died doing something he loved. But from that night on, joy gave way to grief. Carefree became careful.
My mom returned to work, and I stepped in. I became the responsible one, the helpful one. It’s a role I learned early—and one I carried for many years.
I married young, searching (I think) for safety. By my early thirties, I was divorced, raising two children on my own, and holding a management job I didn’t feel entirely prepared for. I smiled through meetings. Wore the title. Made the magic happen. But inside, I was exhausted—quietly carrying the weight of being everything to everyone.
Single parenting is a masterclass in resilience.
It’s love multiplied by exhaustion. It’s making meals and decisions and holidays happen on your own.
It’s beautiful. Fierce. Tender. And full of quiet ache.
And still—I kept showing up. For my kids. For my job. For my aging mother as her needs grew. For everyone but me.
Somewhere along the way, I forgot how to care for myself in the soul-deep ways that restore—not just rest. I forgot how to make space for beauty, or calm, or joy that wasn’t earned.
✨ A Gentle Shift
What surprised me was how creativity became my way back.
Planning simple gatherings for my girlfriends—birthday celebrations, cozy seasonal rituals, creative moments just because—lit something in me.
They often told me, “You’re so good at this. You should do more of it.”
So, I did.
Through creating sacred space for others, I began making space for myself.
And in that space, my joy returned. My creativity bloomed.
So did my deep love of ritual, story, beauty, and meaningful connection.
Gather & Pause was born from that remembering.
It’s not a program. It’s not a step-by-step.
It’s an experience—an invitation to live more softly, more spaciously, more soulfully.
It’s for women like me, and maybe women like you…
🧡 About Women. About You. About Time.
Are you a busy woman who has spent years putting others first?
You carry the weight of the world, and time is rarely your own.
Together, let’s become Recovering Caregivers, pausing to make ourselves a priority.
Do you secretly tiptoe into the bathroom, seeking refuge?
Together, let’s be Stillness Seekers, finding calm amidst the noise.
Have you lost a part of yourself and let your passions slip away?
Together, let’s become Joy Finders, gently rekindling what lights you up.
Are you Creatively Curious, sometimes unsure or doubting your voice?
Let’s play, explore, and remember our creativity without pressure.
Do you long for deep, kindred connection?
Together, let’s be Pom-Pom Waving Cheerleaders, encouraging each other with heart.
It’s about time. Time for you. Time to return.
I invite you to subscribe to Gather & Pause and make yourself at home.
What You’ll Find Here
🪺 The Nest: A Virtual Retreat Center
A cozy community of like-hearted women where stillness, creativity, and connection are nurtured through gatherings, offerings, and joyful pause.
📝 Reflections: A Newsletter
Personal stories and moments of quiet clarity from my own unfolding. I share them in hopes they might offer a small insight for your own path.
💁♀️ About Me & the Women Who Walk With Us
I like to think of myself as a...
✨ Calm Whisperer | 🎉 Pom-Pom Waver | 🌿 Joy Guide
A creator of gentle spaces that feel welcoming, sacred, and real.
I'm not an expert. I’m a guide. A gatherer.
I create invitations—not prescriptions—and trust you’ll find what’s most nourishing for you.
With over 35 years of experience as an event planner and community builder, I’ve worked alongside incredible people to create spaces of connection and celebration. Now, I offer those same gifts here, with intention and care.
And I don’t do it alone. Gather & Pause is made richer by the women who journey with us—mentors, collaborators, friends, and fellow seekers.
💌 Kind Words from the Community
“Kathy has a unique talent for creating intimate and meaningful experiences that appeal to the senses and allow participants to truly unwind and savour. With an incredible attention to detail and constant pursuit of joy, Kathy pours her heart and being into creating one-of-a-kind experiences guaranteed to leave a lasting memory." Megan
“Such a wonderful experience. Kathy’s attention to detail and the way she brings it all together, along with making us feel welcome and at ease is fantastic. She provides a warm, fun atmosphere. Time with friends, creative fun and relaxation is something we don’t do enough of.” Cheryl
“What a gift Kathy has for creating a warm and welcoming space, whether online or in person, where we've felt comfortable exploring our creativity and connecting with other women. Her passion for fostering joy and self-discovery is contagious! The activities are always engaging and inspiring, and we especially enjoyed learning new crafting techniques and mindfulness practices.” Cathy & Shannon
“The tone was set for a very cozy, relaxing, and mindful get together – Kathy has a gift for creativity and bringing people together.” Caroline
“Kathy embodies wisdom, kindness, and a gentle yet powerful presence that creates a space where ideas flourish and connections deepen. I marvel at her ability to hold space for others with grace and humility.” Shannon
✨ Want to share?
I'd love to hear about you—what lights you up, what you're searching for, what you long to create.
Leave a comment, send me a note, or simply settle in.
There’s no rush here.
