Celebrating 5 Years of Healing
What began as a vision to create a safe and nurturing place for women to rest, restore and heal has grown into a sanctuary of hope for women experiencing grief, trauma, loss, exhaustion and overwhelming life circumstances.
Women’s Healing Sanctuary Brand Story
We’re excited to share our new brand look and the story behind our brand. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Passage to Power Workshop
We recently hosted another successful workshop at the Women’s Healing Sanctuary. Seven women came together, guided by two expert facilitators, to undertake a journey of self-discovery and healing.
Observations Of Grief
Explore Sharalyn’s holistic approach to grief, trauma, and addiction counselling, blending psychological and spiritual elements.
Standing in Solidarity: Women’s Healing Sanctuary at DV Awareness Day and March Against Violence
On 29 November 2024, Women’s Healing Sanctuary participated in important events to stand in solidarity with women against domestic violence, joining the DV Awareness Day in Raymond Terrace and the March Against Violence in Maitland.
Women Supporting Women: The Ripple Effect of a Weekend Away
A simple girls’ weekend created something more — nine nights of sanctuary for women navigating grief, loss and exhaustion. This is the ripple of women supporting women.
Why Self-Care Is Not Selfish and Why Women Need to Prioritise It
For many women, self-care sits at the bottom of a long list.
Work deadlines, family needs, emotional labour, and the quiet responsibility of holding everything together often come first. Over time, rest becomes something we plan to return to “when things settle,” even though they rarely do.
Self-prioritising is not about indulgence or escape. It is about sustainability.
The Hardest Thing You’ll Do Is…Nothing
If you’re a woman who’s always running; meeting deadlines, juggling work, family, social life, and somehow trying to fit in self-care this will hit home. You know that feeling: your mind won’t stop, your to-do list never ends, and the idea of just sitting still makes you twitch a little. Here’s the truth: doing nothing is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do.
The Importance of Self-Care for Women
Just like we can’t pour from an empty cup, we can’t truly show up for others if we don’t take care for ourselves first. Self-care, rest, and rejuvenation are not indulgences – they’re essentials.
The Power of Rest and Connection in Healing for Women with Cancer
A cancer diagnosis can turn life upside down; physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Amid treatments, doctor visits, and daily demands, women with cancer often put their own well-being last. Yet, research and lived experience show that rest and connection, can make a profound difference on the healing journey.
Transforming Grief Into Hope: An Invitation To Healing
Loss touches each of us differently. If you’re reading this and feeling hesitant, uncertain, or perhaps even afraid of what it means, know you’re not alone. Most of us carry not only our grief but a shadow of fear about how to move through it, or whether we even can.
Celebrating the Launch of Finding Tomorrow
Celebrating the launch of Finding Tomorrow, the heartfelt new book by Women’s Healing Sanctuary Co-Founder Sharalyn Drayton, now available through Balboa Press.
Women’s Grief Sessions Recap
Women’s Healing Sanctuary has recently hosted a series of transformative Women’s Grief Sessions, offering women a safe and nurturing space to explore, express, and move through their grief.
Reflections on My Humans of Purpose Podcast
Listen to my Humans of Purpose Podcast where I share reflections of my grief and loss journey, founding Women’s Healing Sanctuary, and my soon-to-be-released book ‘Finding Tomorrow’.
The Unique Mental Health Challenges Women Face
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity for us to highlight the unique mental health challenges women face, and one of the simplest ways we can support each other.
The Movements of Grief
The Movements of Grief: More Than Death explores that loss comes in many forms. It can be the loss of a job, a home, a relationship, or even a sense of self after a significant life change. Each loss brings its own grief, and each deserves recognition and support.
Celebrating Women’s Empowerment
We’re excited to share highlights from Saturday’s International Women’s Day Celebration, hosted by Port Stephens Council and the Rotary Club of Salamander Bay. The event, themed with a touch of pink, raised funds for Tomaree Breast Cancer Support Group and showcased the strength and resilience of women in our community.
Healing Through The Seasons
Grief is a profoundly personal experience, flowing through different emotional landscapes. In these moments, having a safe and supportive space can be transformative, offering the care needed to heal and the strength to rediscover resilience.