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Healing LIMERENCE

Break the Spell of Painful Attachments & Unreturned Love

Anna Runkle

If you’ve ever found yourself pouring your heart into someone who couldn’t–or wouldn’t–love you back, you know how draining and isolating it feels. Known as “limerence,” this cycle of attaching to (and even obsessing on) unavailable people can leave you stuck, sad, and chasing scraps of affection while the life and love you deserve remain out of reach. This retreat is your turning point. Over three powerful days, author and Crappy Childhood Fairy creator Anna Runkle–whose work has reached millions worldwide–will guide you in gently uncovering the roots of these painful patterns, releasing addictive attachments, and building your vision for a committed, passionate relationship with a person who is right for you. You’ll leave with the tools, confidence, and a structured plan for dating so you can stop repeating old mistakes and find love that lasts.

 

This retreat is open to women seeking to change trauma-driven dating patterns and build a fulfilling, committed relationship.  It is not appropriate for those in mental health crisis.

April 10–12
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Starting at $535 (Tuition) + $616 (Lodging + Meals) plus tax

Reserve Your Spot Now

April 10-12, 2026
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SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.

Retreat Benefits

Relationship Clarity

Identify your own trauma-driven patterns that have drawn you to unavailable and inappropriate people.

Higher Standards

Claim what your heart truly needs, in your life and in a partner–and what you will no longer accept.

Sustained Confidence

Create personal dating guidelines that help you choose differently and stay true to your vision of love.

Healthy Boundaries

Learn to protect your energy, speak your truth, and pause before attaching—so red flags don’t go unnoticed.

Emotional Stability

Master emotional regulation techniques that free you to form attachment without past drama.

Authentic Love

Prepare for a loving, mutually committed relationship that aligns with who you truly are.

What to Expect

Imagine moving through life with renewed calm and confidence, free from the habits that trap you in cycles of stress and exhaustion. Rachel offers gentle yet profound practices to help you cultivate self-compassion, strengthen your sense of self-worth, establish healthy boundaries, and rediscover your sense of purpose. By the retreat’s end, you’ll carry home personalized tools that empower you to nurture yourself daily and embrace life with greater peace, presence, and fulfillment.

1. Set Your Vision

Commit to what you really want in life and in love, and release what no longer fits.

2. Pattern Discovery

Uncover how childhood trauma primed you to attach to unavailable people, and how your mind “adjusts” reality to tolerate the emptiness.

3. Spot the Signs

Learn how limerence functions as emotional escape from hard emotions, leading to magical thinking and devastating disappointment.

4. Situationship Detox

Root out trauma-driven beliefs, decisions, and behaviors that have made you emotionally unavailable and blocked you from real love.

5. Structured Dating

Craft your plan for who to date, when to date, and how to delay attachment while you gradually get to know the other person.

Healing Limerence Program Schedule

This experiential retreat offers a well-balanced schedule that combines structured educational sessions with flexible time blocks – ensuring you have ample opportunity to engage in learning while also allowing personal time to explore the retreat center, participate in activities, and enjoy moments of reflection and relaxation.
(Program schedule subject to change.)

Check-in Begins 4:00 pm

Dinner 6:00–7:00 pm

Property Orientation 7:00–7:20 pm

Session 1 7:30–9:00 pm

Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am

Session 2 9:30 am–12:30 pm

Lunch 12:30–1:30 pm

Session 3 2:00–5:00 pm

Free Time 5:00–6:00 pm

Dinner 6:00–7:30 pm

Session 4 7:30–9:30 pm

Breakfast 7:30–9:30 am

Session 5 9:30 am–12:30 pm

Room Checkout 11:00 am Luggage may be held at Reception.

Lunch 12:30–1:30 pm

Breakfast  7:30–9:30 am • Lunch: 12:00–1:30 pm • Dinner: 6:00–7:30 pm

Optional activities include
Yoga • Meditation • Kirtan • Bonfire • Labyrinth • Nature Trails

“Meeting Anna was such an amazing experience. For once, my son and I felt like we were exactly where we belonged. The sense of community was unlike anything I have experienced before. She is an extraordinary person and is literally changing lives! To anyone who has an opportunity to see the Fairy, don’t hesitate… your life will be forever changed, and you will be well on your way to healing!”

—Shannon N.

“Finally, someone who explains symptoms in non-clinical terms! Being with others who share similar experiences was healing. Anna is amazing, and the social activities proved I’m not alone. I found my people and encourage you to attend one of Anna's events to feel accepted and be yourself.”

—Shannon

“I loved Anna's talks, our group interactions, and the valuable content. This was a healing, happy, and transformational weekend, and I’d gladly attend again.”

—Jon

“Anna Runkle was phenomenal! I learned so much and had such a peaceful time learning and meeting people I now call friends.”

—Cassidy

Meet the Presenter

Anna Runkle

Anna Runkle, The Crappy Childhood Fairy, spearheads a global movement dedicated to helping individuals recognize and heal from trauma symptoms, regardless of their access to professional support.

Learn More
Anna Runkle

Our Accommodations

Prices include daily vegetarian meals from dinner on the night of check-in through lunch on the day of checkout. (Rates below are per person.)

Private Hotel Room

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • King bed or two queen beds
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Shared Hotel Room (2 People)

Ideal for friends seeking hotel-style comfort and amenities.

  • Twin beds
  • Flat screen TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Private bath
  • Hair dryer
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Daily delicious vegetarian meals
  • Complimentary tea/coffee & fresh fruit
  • Daily yoga & meditation classes
  • Access to fitness & steam rooms

Private Retreat Room

Ideal for individuals, couples, or friends seeking simple surroundings for peace and clarity.

  • Twin beds
  • Private bath
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Access to the coffee/tea lounge
  • Desk and office chair

Note Room may contain extra single beds.

 

Premium 1Bedroom Apartment

Fully furnished 665 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 2 persons)

  • 1 queen bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • A desk, chairs, and a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

 

Premium 1Bedroom Apartment with Loft

Fully furnished 995 sq.-ft. apartment (max: 4 persons)

  • 1 queen bed and 2 twin beds or 1 full bed
  • Kitchenette
  • Balcony
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer
  • Iron & ironing board
  • A desk, chairs, and a nightstand
  • Flat-screen TV with cable
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Refrigerator, stove range & microwave

Note Furniture may vary; each apartment is different.

 

Upgrade Options

Extend your Stay and Don’t Miss a Thing

Add a day and enjoy R&R activities!

Free activities include
Interactive Nature Hikes
Cooking Demos
Meditation & Movement Classes
Wellness Workshops

Paid activities include
Pottery Classes
Ayurvedic Wellness & Healing Arts Treatments

Nourish Your Body

Take your rejuvenation to another level. Our spa offers treatments and therapies that integrate ancient Ayurveda with contemporary wellness.

Call to check availability during Shankara Ayurveda Spa business hours; seven days a week, 9:00 am–6:00 pm.

Have questions?

We’re here to help.

For room reservations, Ayurveda Wellness Retreats, and Art of Living Retreat Center (AOLRC) signature retreats, we have the following cancellation policy:

  • Refunds are available (less a $50/per person processing fee) up to 15 days before your program or stay.
  • Nonrefundable credit toward a future AOLRC program or stay (less a $50/per person processing fee) is available if you give notice between 14 and one day(s) before your program or stay. Credit may be applied to any AOLRC program or stay for one year following date of issue.
  • No credit or refund is available if you cancel on the arrival day, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason. No refund will be available if you attend a program and are dissatisfied with its presentation or content.

AOLRC reserves the right to cancel a program at any time. If AOLRC cancels a program, you will receive a full refund. Some programs may have special cancellation policies; see individual workshop descriptions. For all other retreats, please be sure to check the registration page specific to that retreat.

Unless otherwise indicated, our programs are open to participants 18 years of age and older.

To encourage a healthy environment, we ask that guests not consume alcohol or meat in our public spaces. However, guests may enjoy these items in their rooms.

Our property is always smoke-free.

Yes, we ask that guests with food allergies simply inform us so we can communicate those needs to our chef. Typically, we label potential allergens such as gluten, dairy, and nuts. You may email us at info@artoflivingretreatcenter.org.

Thanks to the cool climate of the Blue Ridge Mountains, air conditioning is rarely needed. For the occasional warm day, there is a fan in each room to help keep you comfortable.

We do have lodging and event venues that are ADA-compliant. Due to the topography of our mountain campus, some are easier to access than others, so please speak to Guest Services (800.392.6870) prior to registering to ensure we can best accommodate your needs. We also have shuttles that run frequently throughout the campus.

We are committed to the safety of our guests and staff. Our mountaintop location and the surrounding areas are spacious, remote, safe, and secure.

  • It is safe to leave your windows open—and necessary for proper airflow!
  • Nature surrounds our campus, and it’s common to see rabbits, deer, gophers, wild turkeys, and other small animals. Please give them space, and they’ll do the same for you. We’ve never had a safety incident with animals on campus.

You can help!

  • If you come across an animal on campus or a trail, give it space, and please do not attempt to pet or feed it.
  • There’s no need to bring valuables to the retreat center; leaving them at home is best.

We are remote—yet easy to get to.

The Art of Living Retreat Center offers the right balance between serenity and easy access.
  • Fly into Charlotte, NC—Two hours away by drive.
  • Check-in at 4:00 pm first day—eat dinner shortly after that.
  • Leave after lunch the last day—schedule your flight anytime
    after 5:00 pm.

Transportation Options Between Charlotte and the Center

Hickory Hop Shuttle Service  Book online  hickoryhop.com  The Hickory Hop shuttle goes from Charlotte airport to Boone five times daily. Reservations are required, so book ahead online and be sure to confirm shuttle times coordinate with your travel plans.

High Country Limo  828.898.9595   highcountrylimo.com

Oscar’s Car Service  704.965.5800

Edwardo’s Car Service  704.949.6775

Blue Bird Transportation  828.989.7286   Blue Bird of Boone

Uber or Lyft  Book in app on arrival.

Other airports within driving distance from the Art of Living Retreat Center include

Tri-Cities Regional Airport (TRI) in Johnson City, TN (80 miles)
Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, NC (110 miles)

Visit our directions page for more information.

Reserve Your Spot Now

April 10-12, 2026
REGISTER NOW

SAVE! Add a day or two and save 20% off our R&R rates. Select your added day(s) on the Registration page.