I mean, is this it?

 You’ve been holding your shit together for everyone—and you are so fucking tired.

The world feels like it’s on fire.
Your hormones got you ragey.

And you’ve been burned out probably since 2020.

You’re not broken. You’re just fried. Crispy.

THURSDAY - FEBRUARY 26, 2026

DAY 1: HAPPINESS 

Check-in 8:30 AM | Sessions 9 AM – 3 PM | Lunch on your own

Theme: Turns out, we were never actually taught how to be happy...let's fucking fix that.

9:00 AM – Welcome
Meet Kira and get a preview of the joy ride ahead.

9:30 AM – The Lies We Were Told About Happiness 
An eye-opening & humorous look at how our culture set us up to chase the wrong things—and what to focus on instead for bringing lots more joy into our life.

10:15 AM – Morning Break with Totally Relatable Game Show
Stretch, hydrate, and learn how NOT alone you are with our mini game show.

10:45 AM – How We Actually Get Happy
Turns out happiness isn’t magic—it’s a skill (and one no one ever taught us). We’ll dig into how your brain actually creates joy—and how to spark more of it on purpose—in a way that’s equal parts science, humor, and “ohhh, that totally tracks.”

11:30 AM – Lunch (on your own) with new friends!

AFTERNOON FUN GROUP ACTIVITIES

12:30 PM -Somatic Break with Crosby
Let’s get out of our heads and back into our bodies. Through gentle movement, breath, and awareness, Crosby will guide you through a short somatic reset designed to release tension and help your nervous system actually exhale.

12:45 PM – Decorate Your Midlife Crown
This is not your kid’s craft time — it’s an unapologetic, laughter-filled creative break where midlife women claim their crowns and their confidence. Think sparkly chaos, bold music, loud laughter, and a sea of women celebrating who they are right now. No perfection required — just jewels, attitude, and joy. 

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM – Drag Bingo 
Hosted by one of San Diego’s fiercest queens, Miriam T, you’ll yell, you’ll cackle, you’ll wonder why all learning doesn’t involve wigs and lip gloss.

Ridiculous prizes, zero judgment, maximum serotonin. 

3:00 PM – Optional Upgrade Activity: Puppy Party!

That’s right — there is nothing happier than just pure, unfiltered puppy playtime! None of this pretending we want to do yoga shit.

We’ll split everyone into small groups so you get a full 20–30 minutes of uninterrupted puppy cuddles. Because sometimes joy literally has four paws and a wagging tail. 

$30 donation that goes back to the rescue.

FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 27, 2026

DAY 2: LETTING SHIT GO

Sessions 9 AM – 3 PM | Lunch on your own

Theme: We’ve been carrying everyone else’s crap for decades… consider this the drop-off zone.

9:00 AM – What to Do with All of the Fucking Rage

Let’s be honest — midlife rage hits different.

In this session, we’ll dig into what that anger is really trying to tell you (spoiler: it’s not that you’re crazy or mean — it’s that you’ve had enough). We’ll explore the neuroscience of rage, the cultural conditioning that keeps women from expressing it, and how to move it through your body instead of storing it in your shoulders and jaw.

10:15 AM – 80s/90s Trivia Break: Heartthrobs, Pop Culture, and Pure Nostalgia
Stretch it out, and get ready for the ultimate throwback challenge. From Tiger Beat covers to iconic rom-com quotes, see if you can guess your favorite heartthrobs and pop-culture legends for ridiculous prizes and bragging rights. Think Go-Gos, Saved By the Bell, and a whole lot of “Wait… how did I forget that?!”

10:35 AM – Completing the Stress Cycle
Stress isn’t just in your head — it’s in your body. We’ll explore what the research says about how to actually complete the stress cycle (and no, just “calming down” isn’t it). Expect a mix of science, humor, and short, powerful practices that help your nervous system exhale for the first time in a while.

11:30 AM – Lunch (on your own) with new friends!

FRIDAY AFTERNOON FUN GROUP ACTIVITIES

12:30 PM – Kintsugi Group Activity
With guidance from a local Japanese expert, you’ll practice Kintsugi — the ancient art of repairing cracked ceramics with gold. This hands-on experience blends mindfulness, creativity, and reflection. It’s not about perfection or pretending the cracks don’t exist — it’s about honoring the repair. Because growth isn’t about avoiding the mess; it’s about finding beauty and perspective in it.

1:45 PM – Somatic Break with Crosby
Crosby is back with more ways to feel it to heal it! Through gentle movement, breath, and awareness, Crosby will guide you through a short somatic reset designed to release tension and help your nervous system actually exhale. 

2:00 PM – Sound Bath
Settle in, get cozy, and let the vibrations do the work. This immersive sound bath will use crystal bowls and frequency to help your body integrate the day’s learning on a cellular level. This is the best kind of self-care.  You just have to lay on the floor & take it all in!  It’s relaxation you can feel — no effort required.

3:00 PM – Optional Upgrade Activity: Rage Room or Paint Splatter Experience
Your choice: smash it or splash it. Whether you’re breaking plates in a rage room or turning emotion into art with paint, this is your chance to release what’s been sitting under the surface — safely, loudly, and with a little laughter. Because sometimes healing looks like breaking shit or throwing color at a canvas.

$50 per person plus lyft to get there.

SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 28, 2026

DAY 3: MINDSET MAGIC

Sessions 9 AM – 3 PM | Lunch on your own

9:00 AM – How We Accidentally Became Procrastinators

We’ll start by looking at how smart, capable women like us end up stuck on pause. Hint: it has nothing to do with laziness or willpower.

You’ll recognize the patterns — the lists, the pressure, the “I’ll start Monday” loop — and start to see that something deeper is going on. Together, we’ll pull back the curtain on what’s really driving that pause button and why your brain might actually think it’s helping you.

No shame. No lectures. Just curiosity, laughter, and a few “oh damn, that’s me” moments.

10:15 AM – 80s/90s Dance Break
A mini morning dance party! A mix of our favorite 80s/90s dance hits to yell at the top of your lungs and dance it out!

10:35 AM – Why We Do the Things We Do

Motivation isn’t magic — it’s science (with a little bit of mystery). We’ll explore what actually drives our behavior — the push, the pull, and the invisible patterns that keep us circling the same habits on repeat.

Through quick, interactive moments, you’ll start to spot the real reasons behind what you do (and what you avoid). You’ll leave with a few simple questions that help you decode your own motivation — and maybe rethink what “stuck” actually means.

11:30 AM – Lunch (On Your Own)

AFTERNOON FUN GROUP ACTIVITIES

12:30 PM – Somatic Break with Crosby
Time to shake off the morning (literally). Crosby will guide you through a short, grounding somatic reset — gentle movement, deep breaths, and a reminder that your body is your best ally when it comes to feeling present, calm, and alive.

12:45 PM – Spark Group Mural
Get ready to co-create something big, bold, and beautifully imperfect. Together, we’ll build a living mural — part art, part expression, part fun — that captures our whole experience together. 

2:00 PM – Mrs. Roper Romp Scavenger Hunt
Grab your caftan, wig, and your sense of adventure — it’s time for the Mrs. Roper Romp Scavenger Hunt! I'll break you into small groups & you’ll explore, laugh, and complete delightfully ridiculous challenges with your fellow midlife mischief-makers. Expect silly challenges, teamwork, and pure joy — because who said personal growth can’t include a little sparkle and chaos?

Mrs. Roper dress up is HIGHLY encouraged!

After the scavenger hunt, stay in costume & we will head out somewhere to laugh, grab a mocktail or cocktail, and celebrate our last night together.

SUNDAY - MARCH 1, 2026

DAY 4: THE SPARK SEND-OFF

Sessions 9 AM – 12 PM 

Theme:
You’re not “going back” — you’re taking the good stuff forward.

9:00 AM – How to Take This Home
The goal isn’t to go back and “do better.” It’s to go home and be different. Together, we’ll talk about what it actually looks like to bring Spark into real life — the mindset shifts and the tiny joy habits that help you protect your peace when life gets loud again.

9:45 AM – (Spark Note to Future Me)
This isn’t homework — it’s a time capsule. You’ll write a short, funny, heartfelt note to your future self — the one who might forget how good this weekend felt. 
We’ll seal them up and mail them back to you in a few weeks — right when you need the reminder that she’s still in there: calm, confident, and covered in glitter.

10:15 AM – Quick Break

10:30 AM – Q&A with Kira
Nothing’s off-limits. Coaching questions, midlife rants, Spark curiosities — this is your time to dig deeper, reflect, or just say the thing you’ve been thinking all weekend. It’s part conversation, part celebration, and totally real.

11:00 AM – Glimmer Gathering & Group Mural Reveal
We’ll circle up for one last collective moment — sharing glimmers, reflections, and a peek at the group mural we’ve built together. 

11:30 AM – Goodbye Ceremony

This is where we wrap it all up — with gratitude, laughter, and maybe a few tears.
A short reflection, some heartfelt words, and a few hugs later, you’ll head out carrying more calm, more clarity, and a deeper sense of connection — to yourself and to this community.

12:00 PM – Departures & Hugs

This isn't goodbye. Just a "see you soon" at the next Spark!

Hey, I’m Kira!

Your Gen X, no-BS positive psychology coach, & midlife hype woman.

For the past 17+ years, I helped women get out of their own way to create unshakeable self-worth, joy, & relationships.

I mix positive psychology, brain science, and real-life midlife magic to help you create joy that actually lasts. No perfection, no pretending—just real women, real laughter, and real change.

Because you’re not broken, behind, or too old to start something new.

You’re right on time.
And Spark is where it gets fun again.

This is my 31st retreat!

I've been running retreats since 2014 & they are kinda my thing.

Helping women cut through the noise and figure out what actually lights them up — not what looks good on paper, not what other people expect, but what makes sense for who you are right now is my daily goal.

Not the version of you who held it all together while quietly burning out. The current you — smart, capable, maybe a little crispy around the edges, but ready for something more grounded, more joyful, and a hell of a lot more you.

I’ve spent years coaching and studying positive psychology, but more importantly, I’ve spent years having real conversations with women who are tired of running on autopilot.

Working with me feels like having a smart, thoughtful, no-fluff friend who gives you advice you can trust...in your corner.

Because this part of your story?
It’s not the end. It’s the beginning of something way better.

MEET OUR GUEST EXPERTS!

Meet Crosby!

Somatic Practitioner

Your favorite curly-haired, Gemini Xennial, San Diego-based Crosby Noricks helps midlife women get out of their heads and into their bodies, where clarity, confidence, and joy actually live.

Her short, feel-good practices help you reconnect with the parts of yourself that went missing while life was busy life-ing. No incense or interpretive dance required (unless you’re into that).

WHERE TO STAY

You can stay anywhere you like — you’re free to book a hotel, stay with a friend, use hotel-points, grab an Airbnb, or whatever setup feels best for you.

That said: I’ll be staying at Hotel Z (521 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101) in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter.

It’s super convenient for our weekend (just across the street), reasonable, and I absolutely recommend it — but availability is limited, so if you’re thinking about it, prioritize booking early.

Quick pro tips:

• Choose a location that’s easy to get to and from, and with parking/transport options nearby (even for rideshare).

• If you’re splitting a room to keep costs down, have a plan for who books it, how the cost is split, and how to manage any deposits or cancellation policies. We are aiming for zero drama.

• Regardless of where you stay, aim for comfort — your room should feel like a retreat after our sessions, not another thing to stress about.

  I have added a few other nearby options in the FAQs.

"I never expected in a million years that I would also be connected to the most incredible women I have ever met.

This community has been life changing.

The love and support that I have received has changed me completely as a person. I am so thankful I have these women in my life and to have created lifelong connections and friendships with positive, like minded, supportive, loving,  women." 

CASSIE

"The women I met are truly some of the most beautiful, strong, intelligent, compassionate, and supportive women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting."  

We were able to form a strong bond almost immediately and our friendships have only just begun. 

_KATHRYN