Why Bottomless Brunch Isn’t Filling You Up (And What To Do Instead)

Megan Holloway
Aug 21
2 min read

We’re caught between the life we were told would fulfil us and the quiet truth that we were made for something more.

For years, I did the thing we’re all told is “living.” Glittering cocktails. Hen parties that went on too long. Chaotic weekends that left me drained instead of restored. Mondays were a cocktail of hangover, dread, and please don’t let me open my bank app.

And sure - sometimes it feels like the only way to celebrate is with flashing lights and bottomless Prosecco. But deep down? I knew something was missing. I knew we deserved more.

Not more noise.

Not more “fun” that feels like punishment the next day.

More depth. More connection. More space to just be.

That’s how the retreats were born.

The Joy Project Retreats: A Different Way to Celebrate

I dreamt up these retreats as an antidote to the burnout cycle so many of us are stuck in. They’re designed for women who are done waiting for permission to slow down, breathe, and remember who the hell they are without the roles, expectations, and people-pleasing.

This isn’t about fixing you. You’re not broken. You’re misaligned. You’ve been outsourcing your joy to a culture that glorifies exhaustion, and I’m here to call bullshit on that.

At our retreats, you get to:

✨ Reconnect with yourself without guilt.

✨ Swap hangovers for hiking boots, yoga mats, or journaling by the fire.

✨ Experience real conversations with women who get it.

✨ Indulge in the stuff your mates “never have time for.”

✨ Ditch the heels and taxis for nature, nourishment, and unapologetic presence.

It’s joy as the foundation, not the afterthought.

Why This Matters

The women who come to me aren’t just “stressed.” They’re stuck. Stuck between the life they were told to want and the whisper that says, you were made for something more. They’ve been waiting for clarity, confidence, or the “perfect time” before making a change.

But here’s the truth: readiness is a myth. Confidence doesn’t come first - it’s built through action. And sometimes the bravest action you can take is giving yourself permission to stop, breathe, and choose differently.

A retreat isn’t a holiday. It’s a radical act of self-trust.

The Last Retreat of 2025: SPELLBOUND ✨

This October, the final Joy Project retreat of the year lands in the Lake District. Spellbound runs October 30th – November 2nd, and it’s the perfect reset before the chaos of Christmas and the New Year hustle.

Picture this:

Crisp autumn air on your cheeks.
Wild walks that clear your head.
Workshops that crack open new ways of thinking.
Firelight, deep chats, and belly laughs with women who feel like instant soulmates.

You’ll leave Spellbound not just rested - but rewired. Reconnected to yourself. Clearer. Stronger. And with evidence that joy doesn’t live at the end of your to-do list- it’s something you build every damn day.