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Misty mountain valley at dawn with layered peaks, atmospheric fog, and cool blue-silver tones.

There’s a strange thing that happens when your life changes in a way you never expected.You start measuring everything by what happened before.After my divorce...After I came out...After the relationship ended...After my kids grew up...After everything fell apart...Without even realizing it, the thing that ended becomes the reference point for everything that comes next.And for a while, that makes sense.When the life you knew changes, there’s an adjustment period. You're trying to figure out who you are, what you want, where you belong, and what the hell you're supposed to do next.But eventually, I think there's a question worth asking:What if this isn't the aftermath?What if this is the beginning?<figure id="figure-6n0x8denxd7msta25qz"><img id="6n0x8denxd7msta25qz" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/10HnnI2QtAUT4aJdsb7OhboaMYBqU4ywcJryi3HUQtpnGMcAO2iluybB3RoXpTM2.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 40%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="40%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/10HnnI2QtAUT4aJdsb7OhboaMYBqU4ywcJryi3HUQtpnGMcAO2iluybB3RoXpTM2.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 40%;"></figure><h3>When Your Life Doesn't Look the Way You Thought It Would</h3>Most of us grew up with some version of a timeline in our heads.You get married, build a career, maybe you have kids, you create your circle of friends, settle into your life...and eventually, you arrive at this magical place called "having your shit together."Except...that's not how life actually works. Sometimes the marriage ends.Sometimes you realize the identity you've been living doesn't fit anymore.Sometimes you come out at 40, 50, 60, or beyond.Sometimes the kids grow up and suddenly the role that consumed so much of your identity changes.Sometimes friendships disappear.Sometimes the future you were absolutely certain about gets completely rewritten...and suddenly, you're standing in a life you never planned for. That can be scary, but it can also be incredibly freeing. Because for perhaps the first time in a very long time, there's a blank page in front of you.<h3>We Spend So Much Time Looking at What We Lost</h3>When a chapter ends, it's almost impossible not to focus on what isn't there anymore. The relationship, the marriage, the family structure, the routines, the friend group, the certainty, the future you assumed you'd have...and those things deserve to be grieved. But there's something we don't think about nearly as often: Everything that hasn't happened yet.The people you haven't met, friendships you haven't made, places you haven't traveled, the woman you haven't kissed, the random Tuesday night that turns into one of your favorite memories, the inside jokes that don't exist yet, the trips you haven't booked, the version of yourself you haven't even met.There are entire parts of your story that you know absolutely nothing about yet, and I think that's pretty fucking exciting.<h3>Maybe You're Not Supposed to Get the Old You Back</h3>I hear women say this all the time: "I just want to feel like myself again.", and I understand what they mean.They want to feel confident again, happy again, excited about life again...but I don't know that the goal should always be getting back to who you were. Because maybe you're not supposed to go back.Maybe you're becoming someone completely different.Maybe the next version of you travels more.Maybe she makes friends with people she never would have crossed paths with before.Maybe she goes to her first Pride.Maybe she dates women for the first time.Maybe she changes the way she dresses.Maybe she tries things that would have terrified her ten years ago.Maybe she eats dinner alone without thinking it's sad.Maybe she books the damn trip without waiting for someone to go with her.Maybe she stops making decisions based on what everyone else will think.Maybe she finally starts asking herself:What do I actually want?Not:What should my life look like?What will everyone else think?What was I supposed to have accomplished by this age?But...What do I want my life to look like now?That's not starting over. That's finally getting to choose.<figure id="figure-sp3en4d4zamstacsgy"><img id="sp3en4d4zamstacsgy" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/23S3RyRIAO6INZxI7hNL7cBCdmEOhBxFfxFosztHo4lXn7ALcgvcWjJPuHhCaHsK.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 65%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="65%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/23S3RyRIAO6INZxI7hNL7cBCdmEOhBxFfxFosztHo4lXn7ALcgvcWjJPuHhCaHsK.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 65%;"></figure><h3>New Beginnings Don't Always Feel Exciting</h3>Here's the part nobody really talks about...new beginnings can feel like shit at first. We romanticize reinvention, but actually living it can be uncomfortable. You might walk into an event alone and immediately want to turn around. You might stand awkwardly in a room wondering if everyone already knows each other. You might go on a first date and think, WTF am I doing? You might be 52 years old trying to figure out whether another woman is flirting with you or just being friendly.Welcome to lesbian dating. None of us know either.&nbsp; You might have nights when your old life suddenly seems appealing simply because it was familiar.You might question yourself. You might wonder whether you're doing any of this "right." None of that means you've made a mistake. It means you're learning how to live a life you've never lived before. Of course it's going to feel unfamiliar.<h3>The Middle Part Is Where So Many Women Get Stuck</h3>There's this weird space between the life you had and the life you're creating. You're not who you were anymore, but you don't completely know who you're becoming yet...and that middle can feel lonely.This is where I see women convince themselves they're behind. They look around and think everyone else already has their friend group.Everyone else knows how to date women. Everyone else has queer community. Everyone else seems confident walking into a room alone.Meanwhile, they're sitting in their car outside an event giving themselves a pep talk.Here's what I've learned from Club LILLES: Way more women are sitting in that metaphorical car than you realize.They're nervous too.They're wondering if they'll fit in too.They're hoping someone talks to them too.They're looking for their people too.And sometimes the only difference between staying stuck and creating an entirely new life is deciding to open the car door.<figure id="figure-lveg9tnjq6mstah7xf"><img id="lveg9tnjq6mstah7xf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/bo8j2H2AlUjCCh3zz350SkAFHPOXyuvi2mGUne25SrYjJTSSKcZAZHhF2rvp32Er.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/bo8j2H2AlUjCCh3zz350SkAFHPOXyuvi2mGUne25SrYjJTSSKcZAZHhF2rvp32Er.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>I've Watched This Happen Over and Over Again</h3>One of my favorite parts of creating Club LILLES has been watching women walk into a room believing they're rebuilding their lives...and slowly realize they're actually creating them.Someone comes to an event alone, she meets another woman, they exchange numbers, that turns into dinner, dinner turns into friendship, and ventually they're booking trips together, celebrating birthdays, supporting each other through breakups, and becoming part of each other's lives.And neither of them could have predicted any of it.That's the part I wish more women understood when they're standing at the beginning of a new chapter.You cannot see what's coming yet.Some of the people who will matter most to you might currently be complete strangers. Some of your favorite memories haven't happened. Some of the places you'll feel most at home are places you've never been.There's so much life you simply haven't gotten to yet.<h3>Stop Calling It the&nbsp;Aftermath.&nbsp;</h3>Maybe you're divorced. Maybe you came out at 42, 52, or 62. Maybe a relationship ended. Maybe your kids grew up. Maybe you moved somewhere new. Maybe the life you thought you'd have looks absolutely nothing like the one you're living today.You don't have to pretend that wasn't hard. You don't have to slap a positive spin on something that genuinely broke your heart. You don't have to be grateful for everything that happened, and you definitely don't need to have the next ten years figured out.But maybe you can stop viewing your life exclusively through the lens of what ended, because this isn't just the chapter after something. It's also the chapter before everything that's coming next.Before the friendships. Before the adventures. Before the firsts. Before the love stories. Before the trips. Before the nights you haven't laughed through yet. Before the version of you who looks back at this moment and thinks: "I had no idea how much my life was about to change."Your life didn't end when that chapter did. Maybe that's where it finally started.<figure id="figure-5aia93pgdfmstalgl8"><img id="5aia93pgdfmstalgl8" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1eTeDNYHj7iVEZn46GYdNO5rDINyza5bMYZLUt66JKFB5hMEdyouXlGbFzl3YHLS.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1eTeDNYHj7iVEZn46GYdNO5rDINyza5bMYZLUt66JKFB5hMEdyouXlGbFzl3YHLS.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Maybe Your Next Chapter Starts Somewhere You've Never Been</h3>And if you've been feeling that little pull to get out there and start living some of this next chapter, come with us.<a data-mce-href="https://clublilles.com/events" href="https://clublilles.com/events">Club LILLES trips</a> are designed for women who want more than just a vacation. They're about seeing incredible places, having new experiences, building friendships, and being surrounded by women who understand what it feels like to be creating a life that might look a little different than the one you originally imagined.And here's the thing I always want women to know:You do not need someone to come with you.Many of the women who join our trips come alone, that's part of the magic. You arrive with a group of women you may barely know...and come home with stories, inside jokes, memories, and sometimes friendships that continue long after the plane lands.We have some incredible adventures coming up, including <a data-mce-href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027" href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027">Costa Rica in January 2027</a> and <a data-mce-href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/" href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/">Ireland &amp; Northern Ireland in April 2027.</a>So if you've been telling yourself..."Maybe someday.""Maybe when I have someone to go with.""Maybe when I feel more confident."Maybe this is your reminder that the next chapter doesn't begin when you finally feel ready.Sometimes it begins when you decide to say yes anyway. Your bucket list doesn't need a partner, and neither does your next adventure.<h3><a data-mce-href="https://clublilles.com/events" href="https://clublilles.com/events" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">LEARN MORE HERE!!</a></h3>

What If This Is the Beginning, Not the Aftermath?

Overhead view of diverse women's hands joined together in a supportive circle on a wooden table with warm natural light

There comes a point in life when many of us quietly realize that the future we imagined isn't the future we're living.Maybe you thought you'd still be married, or you pictured yourself raising children. Maybe you assumed you would never come out, or&nbsp;you thought by now you'd have your people, your routines, your forever home, and your life all figured out.Instead...you're starting over. And if you're honest, that can feel terrifying.I know that feeling because I've seen it in so many women who join Club LILLES. Before they ever book a trip, come to a brunch, or walk into one of our events, they often tell me the same thing:"I feel like I'm behind."Behind in love, behind in friendships, behind in building the life they actually want. They look around and assume everyone else has it figured out while they're standing at the starting line. But here's what I've learned after building this community. Almost every woman feels that way.<figure id="figure-0g51xaiu76mshw96jq"><img id="0g51xaiu76mshw96jq" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12JoXCMRtW35i9MLsLXCZXzGFpcxpeh3JaOt5DQS9u82OW0kwiuUW2nf4mFWD8kA.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12JoXCMRtW35i9MLsLXCZXzGFpcxpeh3JaOt5DQS9u82OW0kwiuUW2nf4mFWD8kA.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Grief We Don't Talk About</h3>One of the hardest parts of coming out later in life isn't simply ending a relationship or changing your identity. It's grieving the version of your life you thought you were going to have.The holidays you imagined, family you pictured, traditions you expected. The timeline you believed your life would follow. It's okay to grieve those things. Grief doesn't mean you made the wrong decision, it means you're honoring a dream that mattered to you.But grief doesn't have to become your permanent address, because while one version of your future may have ended...another one is just beginning.You're Not Starting Over...You're Starting as YourselfThere's a big difference. Many women tell me they feel like they're "starting over." They start dating again, making new friends, traveling solo, learning who they are.I've seen these women trying new things in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, but I don't actually think you're starting over. I think you're starting for the first time as the most authentic version of yourself.For the first time, you're making decisions based on what you want instead of what was expected of you, your relationships have the opportunity to reflect who you truly are,&nbsp;your life gets to become yours.That isn't starting over, that's finally beginning.<h3>It's Never Too Late</h3>One of the most common fears I hear is:"I'm too late."Too late to make close friends, to find love, to travel, to build community, to have unforgettable experiences to become confident...and every single time, I smile because I know what's about to happen.I've watched women who almost canceled because they didn't know anyone leave with lifelong friendships. I've watched women who hadn't traveled alone in decades board a plane with shaking hands and come home feeling like an entirely different person. I've watched women discover confidence they didn't know they had simply because they gave themselves permission to say yes.None of them were too late, they were simply right on time.<figure id="figure-lkd7q9frzjmshwff0r"><img id="lkd7q9frzjmshwff0r" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/17ozQc1phZn5706QuSnZ84seGQbavLvj9G0UApCNLaiP71YwFEhxhJyTADPhD6JT.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/17ozQc1phZn5706QuSnZ84seGQbavLvj9G0UApCNLaiP71YwFEhxhJyTADPhD6JT.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>A Different Ending</h3>The beautiful thing about life is that we don't always get the story we expected.But sometimes...we get a better one. Maybe your story doesn't include the marriage you thought it would.Maybe it looks nothing like the vision you had in your twenties.Maybe it's messier, &nbsp;slower, completely unexpected.But maybe...it's also more authentic.More peaceful, &nbsp;joyful...more you.<h3>Your Next Chapter Starts With One Decision</h3>You don't have to know exactly what the next five years look like, or have everything figured out. You don't have to feel fearless. You simply have to be willing to take one step toward the life that's waiting for you.Maybe that's coming to a Club LILLES meetup, or introducing yourself to someone new. Maybe it's booking the trip you've been talking yourself out of, or saying yes before you feel completely ready. Because every meaningful chapter begins the same way, with one brave decision.If this season of your life feels uncertain, I want you to remember something:Every woman you've met inside Club LILLES once wondered if she was starting too late...she wasn't, and neither are you.The life you thought you'd have isn't gone, it's just different.And one day, you may look back and realize this chapter, the one that felt the most uncertain, was actually the one that led you home to yourself.If you've been waiting for a sign to stop putting your life on hold...this might be it.Our Club LILLES trips aren't just vacations. They're an opportunity to step into a new chapter alongside women who understand your journey. Whether it's exploring the breathtaking landscapes of<a data-mce-href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/" href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/"> Ireland</a>, soaking up the sunshine in <a data-mce-href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027" href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027">Costa Rica</a>, or joining us at one of our local meetups, you'll quickly realize you're not the only one starting over.Most of the women who join us come alone.Very few leave that way.You never know who you're one "yes" away from meeting.<figure id="figure-9noqlxt2qzmshwncdw"><img id="9noqlxt2qzmshwncdw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1Y02RnIIRRNvCLQP5HoE6D4eCKtYsLGyO1lg5gBC5r63goG6AE4bl7CXlbKTS8fA.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 20%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="20%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3><a data-mce-href="https://clublilles.com/events" href="https://clublilles.com/events">LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRIPS HERE!</a></h3>

The Life You Thought You'd Have Isn't Gone... It's Just Different.

How many things have you put on hold because you were waiting for someone to do them with?The trip. The adventure. The concert. The hike. The passport stamp. The memory...Maybe you've been telling yourself, I'll go when I'm in a relationship, or I'll do that when I have someone to travel with. Or maybe it's simply become easier to wait than to admit how badly you want the experience.If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.For so many of us, especially those of us who came out later in life, we've spent years waiting.Waiting until life felt less complicated.Waiting until we had more confidence.Waiting until we had more money.Waiting until we found "our person."Waiting until it felt like the right time.The problem is, life has a funny way of continuing to move while we're standing still. One day turns into one year, one year turns into five...and suddenly, we realize we've been postponing our own joy because we were waiting for someone else to share it with.But what if the life you've been dreaming about doesn't begin when you find a partner? What if it begins the moment you stop waiting?<figure id="figure-0kvxodns7mrf5an88"><img id="0kvxodns7mrf5an88" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2emoGQo9JVhjy9iKtTPFt5KdUa3X4kpJLTUQvcBdYms04iMXPYEahjAbPeRNrCBI.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2emoGQo9JVhjy9iKtTPFt5KdUa3X4kpJLTUQvcBdYms04iMXPYEahjAbPeRNrCBI.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>The Women Who Almost Didn't Come</h3><h3>One of my favorite things about Club LILLES is watching what happens before every event and every trip.</h3>I get the messages."I really want to come, but I don't know anyone.""I'm nervous.""What if everyone already has friends?""What if I don't fit in?"And almost every single time, those women are standing at the edge of a decision. Do they let fear make the decision for them? Or do they choose curiosity instead? The women who say yes almost always tell me the same thing afterward: "I almost didn't come."And every time I hear that, I smile, because I know what comes next. They leave with friendships they never expected, inside jokes that make no sense to anyone else, pictures they'll look back on years from now, stories they'll tell over dinner.People who started as complete strangers and somehow became the people they text every day. Not because they waited until they felt fearless, Because they decided their life was worth showing up for, even while they were scared.<figure id="figure-xracgvatklmrf5iqyw"><img id="xracgvatklmrf5iqyw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/38hieNti1AZ2qzdF112pqmLavGw7HkQBcYcfST9rUl5KJbBxS1JZGT6OPkLWIrH7.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>The Magic Was Never the Destination</h3>People often think these trips are about Ireland, or Costa Rica, or whatever place is next...but they're really not. Yes, you'll stand on breathtaking cliffs, you'll kayak through beautiful waterways, you'll explore places you've only ever seen in photos. Those experiences are incredible, but that's not the part people talk about the most when they get home.They talk about laughing until their stomach hurts over dinner.The conversations on long bus rides.The unexpected friendships.The feeling of realizing they were never actually alone—they just hadn't found their people yet.The magic isn't in the destination, it's in who you become when you stop waiting for permission to live your life.<figure id="figure-2mk1wzzpqrmrf5dvil"><img id="2mk1wzzpqrmrf5dvil" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12UhRp44A0QphWNFkcD5sdWU7mbVxeQdj0d3xQrF4wX8WErJABzRciqWlofeJ0Tb.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12UhRp44A0QphWNFkcD5sdWU7mbVxeQdj0d3xQrF4wX8WErJABzRciqWlofeJ0Tb.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Stop Putting Your Life on Layaway</h3> I think so many women have unknowingly put their lives on layaway."I'll travel when...""I'll take the class when...""I'll move when...""I'll try that restaurant when...""I'll buy the concert ticket when...""I'll start living when someone comes with me."But life isn't something we're supposed to experience later, it's happening now. Every year we wait is another year we don't get back. The memories you want aren't going to create themselves, someone has to say yes first.Why can't that someone be you?<figure id="figure-fysdqcbrymrf5eosf"><img id="fysdqcbrymrf5eosf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1Y02RnIIRRNvCLQP5HoE6D4eCKtYsLGyO1lg5gBC5r63goG6AE4bl7CXlbKTS8fA.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 15%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="15%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1Y02RnIIRRNvCLQP5HoE6D4eCKtYsLGyO1lg5gBC5r63goG6AE4bl7CXlbKTS8fA.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 15%;"></figure><h3>You Don't Need to Feel Ready</h3> Here's something I've learned over the years:You don't have to wait until you're less scared. You don't have to wait until you know everyone. You don't have to wait until you have more confidence. Confidence rarely comes before the experience. It comes because of the experience. Every brave decision you make becomes evidence that you can trust yourself, and every time you choose yourself, your world gets a little bigger.<h3>Your Next Favorite Memory Is Waiting</h3> Maybe this is the year you finally stand on the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland and realize the photos never did them justice. Maybe it's kayaking through the canals of Costa Rica while monkeys swing through the trees overhead. Maybe it's laughing with women who were complete strangers just a few days earlier. Or maybe it's simply proving to yourself that you're capable of creating an extraordinary life without waiting for someone else to give you permission.Because that's what these trips have always been about.Not just travel. Connection. Community. Self-trust. Adventure.And becoming the kind of woman who says, "Why not me?"If <a data-mce-href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/" href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/">Ireland</a> or <a data-mce-href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027" href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027">Costa Rica</a> has been calling your name, I'd love to have you join us.Not because you need another vacation, but because you deserve a life that's filled with stories, friendships, and experiences you didn't postpone waiting for someday.Your next favorite memory might be just one brave "yes" away.<figure id="figure-4jfb3d4c04mrf5i5sb"><img id="4jfb3d4c04mrf5i5sb" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14sQlApXv5kqc70t3ILv4MSG4kADLTGKbY50OHUKysNjyFeA9geM28QKcxRzx4jU.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14sQlApXv5kqc70t3ILv4MSG4kADLTGKbY50OHUKysNjyFeA9geM28QKcxRzx4jU.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3><a data-mce-href="https://clublilles.com/events" href="https://clublilles.com/events">Click here to learn more about our upcoming trips!</a></h3>

Your Bucket List Doesn't Need a Partner

The Pride Sale is officially here!From now through June 28, you can save $50 on our Costa Rica trip with the code PRIDE50. <a href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027" data-mce-href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027">https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027</a>But honestly? The discount isn't the most exciting part. The trip is. Because this isn't just a vacation, it's a chance to step away from the routines, responsibilities, and expectations that seem to follow us everywhere and spend a week surrounded by people who just get it.<figure id="figure-g0vp2rvpumqtks6re"><img id="g0vp2rvpumqtks6re" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15BZrinRjMN1OlikLltCT9wjSHBpZCVH0q4xH9SjCiQPtLCW5XfJqJKzmGlSOGW8.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15BZrinRjMN1OlikLltCT9wjSHBpZCVH0q4xH9SjCiQPtLCW5XfJqJKzmGlSOGW8.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>One of the things I hear most from women who join our trips is: "I almost didn't come."They're worried they'll feel awkward. They're nervous because they're coming alone. They're wondering if everyone else will already know each other.And then by day two, they're sharing meals, laughing until they cry, staying up talking for hours, and wondering why they almost let fear make the decision for them.That's the magic of these trips. You don't have to show up with a group of friends, you just have to show up.Costa Rica is going to be filled with everything that makes travel unforgettable:<ul><li>Exploring lush rainforests </li><li>Spotting incredible wildlife</li><li>Relaxing on beautiful beaches</li><li>Amazing local food</li><li>Deep conversations</li><li>Lots of laughter</li><li>And those quiet moments where you stop, take it all in, and think, "I'm so glad I said yes."</li></ul>Whether you're looking to meet new friends, reconnect with yourself, or simply experience something different, this trip was designed to create genuine connection.If you've been waiting for the "right time," maybe this is it.Use code PRIDE50 before June 28 to save $50 on your booking.<a data-mce-href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027" href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027">CLICK HERE TO JOIN US!</a>I truly can't wait to experience Costa Rica with all of you.See you there!!<h2>&nbsp; Ready to Join Us? Use code PRIDE50 at checkout before June 28 to save $50 on your Costa Rica adventure.</h2>This isn't just another trip.It's a chance to build friendships, create unforgettable memories, and experience the kind of community that stays with you long after you get home.I hope you'll join us.

The Pride Sale Is Here—And It Might Be the Sign You've Been Waiting For

There’s something I want you to see. Because this—this right here—is what our trips are really about.This is Deanna.<figure id="figure-t77cl0wwz3mo35dtgz"><img id="t77cl0wwz3mo35dtgz" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/396U39lrqOs6sv1cDlU2nUk0Sn19TSCcIZ3gIdLkirHn3znVAXLrhwy04x99EU3O.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 55%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="50%" data-positionY="55%" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>She joined us on our Galápagos adventure not knowing a single person. No built-in friend, no safety net. Just her, a suitcase, and a yes to something bigger than her comfort zone.And while we were there… it happened to be her birthday.Now here’s where it gets really good.Our guide, Wilson, found out it was her birthday and surprised her with a cake at dinner that night. Not just any cake—like, a full-on thoughtful, “we see you and we’re celebrating you” kind of moment.But what stayed with me wasn’t just the cake.It was what happened around it.A group of women, who had all been complete strangers just days before, gathered around her, laughing, cheering, celebrating her like they’d known her forever.No awkwardness. No surface-level energy. Just real joy. Real connection. Real presence.And that’s the part you don’t see on a typical travel brochure.<figure id="figure-61goymeknmo35euxr"><img id="61goymeknmo35euxr" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14sQlApXv5kqc70t3ILv4MSG4kADLTGKbY50OHUKysNjyFeA9geM28QKcxRzx4jU.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/14sQlApXv5kqc70t3ILv4MSG4kADLTGKbY50OHUKysNjyFeA9geM28QKcxRzx4jU.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Yes, the Galápagos was stunning. Yes, we snorkeled with sea turtles, saw sea lions up close, and experienced some of the most unreal landscapes on the planet.But the real magic?It was the connection.It was the way people showed up for each other. It was the conversations that went deeper than small talk. It was the feeling of walking into a group of strangers… and realizing, these are my people.There’s something powerful that happens when you put the right women together in the right environment.The walls drop. The masks come off. The energy shifts.You’re not just “on a trip.” You’re in an experience.One where you get to be fully yourself. One where you feel seen. One where you remember what it feels like to actually be connected—to others and to your life.<figure id="figure-bcd6rhijilmo35fr3x"><img id="bcd6rhijilmo35fr3x" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12UhRp44A0QphWNFkcD5sdWU7mbVxeQdj0d3xQrF4wX8WErJABzRciqWlofeJ0Tb.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12UhRp44A0QphWNFkcD5sdWU7mbVxeQdj0d3xQrF4wX8WErJABzRciqWlofeJ0Tb.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>And here’s the truth:Most people are craving this and don’t even realize it.They think they need a vacation. But what they really need is connection. They need new energy. New people. New memories that actually mean something.That’s what we create on these trips.Not just beautiful itineraries (although we’ve got those too). But spaces where real relationships form, fast.Spaces where you can come exactly as you are… and leave changed.So if you’ve been feeling that pull lately... Like you want more out of life. More adventure. More connection. More moments that actually feel like something…This is your invitation.<figure id="figure-16s6i5y7dkmo35gsuv"><img id="16s6i5y7dkmo35gsuv" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15Cj5ZbaxBX7nk851c0qoCn8X8aHrBDWpyBxuY4tTRNSKLs96S7YOsluUKE9Ygcz.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15Cj5ZbaxBX7nk851c0qoCn8X8aHrBDWpyBxuY4tTRNSKLs96S7YOsluUKE9Ygcz.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>We’ve got a few spots left on our upcoming trips to Costa Rica and Ireland.And if something in you is reading this and thinking, “I want that…”Trust that, because it’s not random. It’s your next step calling you forward.You don’t need to know anyone to come. That’s kind of the whole point. You just need to say yes, and we’ll take care of the rest!<h3><a data-mce-href="https://clublilles.com/events" href="https://clublilles.com/events">LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR UPCOMING TRIPS!</a></h3>

She Came Alone… and Left With This

This is your sign.Not the loud, dramatic kind. Not the “change your whole life overnight” kind.The quiet kind that’s been sitting with you for a while now.The one that shows up in small moments… when you’re scrolling, when you’re alone, when something just feels a little off.The one that says,“I want more connection.” “I want people who actually get me.” “I’m tired of surface-level everything.”And if you’re being honest…It’s not just about the trip.<figure id="figure-xi001512bmnxgq1df"><img id="xi001512bmnxgq1df" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bc70gL5lumNX9h1w0jNZ160ONqqhbG2TVdogZQnVDZvoE50eE06cdHFnanlusoS.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2bc70gL5lumNX9h1w0jNZ160ONqqhbG2TVdogZQnVDZvoE50eE06cdHFnanlusoS.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>&nbsp; It’s About the People</h3>It’s about sitting at dinner with women you just met… and somehow feeling like you’ve known them forever.It’s about laughing in a way that feels easy. Not forced. Not performative. Just real.It’s about those deeper conversations that happen naturally— where you’re not overthinking what to say or how you’re being perceived.You’re just… there.And you feel seen.Not because you explained every part of yourself perfectly— but because you don’t have to.<figure id="figure-oxf0eqnjmamnxgqqkn"><img id="oxf0eqnjmamnxgqqkn" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12UhRp44A0QphWNFkcD5sdWU7mbVxeQdj0d3xQrF4wX8WErJABzRciqWlofeJ0Tb.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12UhRp44A0QphWNFkcD5sdWU7mbVxeQdj0d3xQrF4wX8WErJABzRciqWlofeJ0Tb.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3> Why We Wait (And Why It Doesn’t Actually Work)</h3>I know how easy it is to talk yourself out of something like this.“I’ll go when I know someone.” “I’ll go when it feels less scary.” “I’ll go when the timing is better.”But here’s the truth most people don’t say—If you wait until it feels completely comfortable… you probably won’t go.And if you wait until you already have the kind of friendships you’re craving… you won’t create space for new ones.Because these kinds of connections don’t come from staying in the same environment.They come from stepping into something new.<figure id="figure-j4078zudjmnxgraa8"><img id="j4078zudjmnxgraa8" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2emoGQo9JVhjy9iKtTPFt5KdUa3X4kpJLTUQvcBdYms04iMXPYEahjAbPeRNrCBI.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2emoGQo9JVhjy9iKtTPFt5KdUa3X4kpJLTUQvcBdYms04iMXPYEahjAbPeRNrCBI.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>&nbsp; You Don’t Need to Know Someone</h3>This part matters.You don’t need to know someone before you go.That’s actually the whole point.These trips are where you meet your people.The kind of friendships that don’t feel draining or confusing. The kind where you can show up exactly as you are. The kind that remind you you’re not the only one thinking, feeling, or wanting more.And it doesn’t happen because you forced it.It happens in the in-between moments...On walks. At dinner. On the beach. In the car between stops.The moments you can’t plan… but end up meaning the most.<figure id="figure-pf70m47humnxgrygg"><img id="pf70m47humnxgrygg" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12JoXCMRtW35i9MLsLXCZXzGFpcxpeh3JaOt5DQS9u82OW0kwiuUW2nf4mFWD8kA.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/12JoXCMRtW35i9MLsLXCZXzGFpcxpeh3JaOt5DQS9u82OW0kwiuUW2nf4mFWD8kA.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>&nbsp; It’s Not Just Where You’re Going</h3>Whether it’s <a data-mce-href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/" href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/">Ireland</a>—cozy, grounding, and full of connection… or <a data-mce-href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027" href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027">Costa Rica</a>—wild, freeing, and a full-body exhale…The destination matters.But not as much as you think.Because this isn’t just about where you’re going.It’s about who you meet there. And who you become while you’re there.<figure id="figure-uy8gw52ogmnxgt6ys"><img id="uy8gw52ogmnxgt6ys" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15BZrinRjMN1OlikLltCT9wjSHBpZCVH0q4xH9SjCiQPtLCW5XfJqJKzmGlSOGW8.jpg" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/15BZrinRjMN1OlikLltCT9wjSHBpZCVH0q4xH9SjCiQPtLCW5XfJqJKzmGlSOGW8.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>&nbsp; You Don’t Need More Time</h3>You don’t need more time to think about it. You don’t need everything in your life to feel perfectly aligned first.You just need to decide that you’re ready for something different.Ready for deeper connection. Ready for new experiences. Ready to say yes to something that might actually shift you.Because there will always be a reason to wait.And there will always be a version of you that’s really glad you didn’t.&nbsp; So Here It Is Again…This is your sign.And maybe… it’s not about the trip at all.&nbsp; If you want to explore both trips and see which one feels like yours, you can check out all the details here:<h3><a data-mce-href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/" href="https://bestintravelgroup.com/trips/ireland-northern-ireland-castles-cliffs-celtic-soul-with-jaime-messina/">LEARN MORE ABOUT IRELAND HERE!</a></h3><h3><a data-mce-href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027" href="https://trovatrip.com/trip/central-america/costa-rica/costa-rica-with-jaime-messina-jan-2027">LEARN MORE ABOUT COSTA RICA HERE!</a></h3>I can’t wait to see who says yes.

This Is Your Sign (And It’s Not About the Trip)

Club Lilles

Club LILLES is a community and travel company created for sapphic women and non-binary people who love women to build authentic friendships, meaningful connections, and unforgettable experiences. Originally founded for late-in-life lesbians, Club LILLES has grown into an inclusive space for women—primarily ages 35 and up—who are looking for genuine community beyond dating.

Through local events, social gatherings, workshops, weekend getaways, and international group travel, Club LILLES helps members step outside their comfort zones, create lasting friendships, and experience life alongside people who truly understand them. Whether someone is newly out, has recently moved, is navigating a new chapter, or simply wants to expand their circle, Club LILLES provides a welcoming environment where they can show up exactly as they are.

At its core, Club LILLES believes that no one should have to wait for a partner to start living their life. The community encourages members to say yes to adventure, prioritize connection, and create a life they love now—not someday. More than a social club, Club LILLES is a place where strangers become lifelong friends and where belonging, authenticity, and shared experiences take center stage.

Blog

What If This Is the Beginning, Not the Aftermath?

The Life You Thought You'd Have Isn't Gone... It's Just D...

Your Bucket List Doesn't Need a Partner

The Pride Sale Is Here—And It Might Be the Sign You've Be...

She Came Alone… and Left With This

This Is Your Sign (And It’s Not About the Trip)