October in the Alps is one of the most underrated times to escape — golden mornings, crisp air, sunshine and stillness, without the chaos of ski season. My stay at The Alpina Gstaad became the autumn reset I didn’t realise I desperately needed. From serene slow mornings and lake-side bike rides, to conversations with the Executive Chef about their impressive zero-waste philosophy, everything about this retreat feels thoughtful, grounding and connected to nature. The hotel sits high above the village, surrounded by the Bernese Alps, with a farm-to-table dining ethos, warm outdoor pool, and the heavenly Six Senses Spa that encourages you to finally exhale. It’s the perfect place to step away from the city, nourish yourself, and remember what rest can feel like.

Grief doesn't just live in the mind — it lives in the body. It takes root in the nervous system, curls up in our chest, and sits heavy in our gut.

I used to think grief was something you thought or felt, but my body taught me otherwise. After losing multiple father figures — including my biological dad at 24 — I didn't just mourn emotionally. I unraveled physically. My chest ached. I was constantly fatigued. I found myself clinging to patterns, overworking, controlling food, trying to anchor myself in something — anything — that felt solid.

In those moments, work became both a refuge and a risk. It gave me structure and purpose when everything else felt like quicksand. But over time, I learned that healing grief isn’t about avoiding the pain — it’s about giving it space to move, to breathe, to be witnessed.

This is my story of learning to heal — not just emotionally, but physically, spiritually, and systemically. And it’s for anyone who’s ever felt broken by loss and unsure where to begin again.