Rewrite the Narrative
Conscious Storytelling Residency in Portugal
Where Storytelling meets Self-development
17–31 October 2026
Two weeks to step away from the noise, reconnect with yourself and your creativity, and consciously rewrite the stories that shape how we live, create and imagine what comes next.
Held by nature, calm and community, and grounded by mindful mornings and shared dinners, we dive deeply into Kiki Ittershagen’s Conscious Storytelling Method, creating space to slow down, reconnect, and explore how the stories we tell shape our lives, our characters and the world we imagine.
Only 10 spaces available
About the Experience
Rewrite the Narrative is a hybrid space between retreat, creative residency and conscious co-living.
You live together, practise together, spend time in nature, and gather around shared dinners prepared with care. Across the two weeks, six three-hour sessions with Kiki take you from the foundations of Conscious Storytelling into the practical and personal art of rewriting your own narrative; creative, personal, or both.
The days offer enough structure to create meaningful transformation, while leaving space for calm, integration, writing, rest, remote work, long walks, and genuine connection.
This experience is for people who long for both depth and spaciousness: thoughtful facilitation, the peace of being close to nature, and the simple experience of sharing everyday life with others who care about the stories we tell and the lives and futures we create through them.
While the full two-week journey is the heart of Rewrite the Narrative, we also offer the possibility to join for one week if that is all that is possible for you at this time.
Weekly Structure
Week 1 – The Stories We Live By
We begin by exploring the heart of the Conscious Storytelling Method: intentionality, empathy, authenticity, the character’s transformational journey, nature as teacher, and the movement from narratives of separation and fear toward stories of connection, belonging and unity.
Through reflection, conversation and practical storytelling tools, you start to recognise the stories you have been living, and the stories you have been telling, with new clarity. What patterns are you repeating? What no longer belongs to you? And what kind of story do you want to create instead?
Week 2 – Rewrite Your Story
In the second week, awareness turns into practice.
Using the tools and frameworks of Conscious Storytelling, you explore personal and creative narratives, uncover limiting plots and inherited patterns, and begin shaping new stories that feel more truthful, connected and aligned with who you are becoming and with the contribution you want to make in the world.
Across both weeks, you receive six three-hour workshop sessions with Kiki, three each week, held within the gentle rhythm of mindful mornings, time in nature, spacious afternoons and shared evening meals.
What’s Included
- Shared accommodation for the full two weeks
- Mindful morning routine (light movement, meditation, or short hikes, depending on the day and the group)
- Full fridge for self-service breakfasts and lunches
- Communal dinners prepared by our resident chef (most evenings)
- Six 3-hour Conscious Storytelling workshops with Kiki Ittershagen
- Opening and closing gatherings to mark the container
- A held community of up to 10 participants
- Time and space for writing, integration, rest, and remote work
What’s Not Included
- Travel to and from the venue
- Personal materials beyond what is provided in the workshops
Who It’s For
This residency is for you if you feel called to grow, as a storyteller, as a creative person, and in the way you live your life.
You may be curious about the Conscious Storytelling Method and want to explore how the stories we tell shape the way we see ourselves, one another, and the world. You may feel a desire to bring more purpose, meaning and intention into your creative work or your personal life. Or perhaps you simply long for two weeks of space, nature, reflection, play and genuine connection with an international community of creative, curious and conscious people.
No previous writing or creative experience is required. Rewrite the Narrative is open to anyone who brings curiosity, openness, a willingness to look honestly at the stories they carry, and a desire to experience living and creating in community.
If any of this speaks to your heart, you’re in the right place.
Who It’s Not For
Those seeking a silent intensive, a luxury spa experience, or a completely unstructured digital-nomad stay. This is a middle path: enough structure to transform, enough freedom and human connection to integrate.
Facilitator & Hosts
Kiki Ittershagen
Main Facilitator
German head writer, writer-producer, storytelling tutor, and creator of the Conscious Storytelling Method. Kiki holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Hamburg and brings more than 20 years of international television experience into her work.
Alongside her writing and producing career, she works as a storytelling tutor for international programmes including Serial Eyes and TorinoFilmLab. Today her focus is on stories that move us from separation toward connection, from fear toward love, and toward a deeper understanding of ourselves and one another.
At the residency she brings together storytelling craft, psychological insight, and her experience holding spaces for creative growth, inviting participants to explore not only the stories they tell, but the stories they live.
Gerhard
Host
Gerhard is the manager of Satvana and has been hosting retreats in Portugal for the last three years. Together with Michelle he holds the practical and human side of the residency, welcoming you, caring for the space, and helping create a warm, well-held container for the two weeks.
Michelle
Host
Michelle is the guest experience manager of Satvana. She has lived and worked in intentional communities around the world, both as guest and host. At Satvana she and Gerhard organise and host the residency, looking after the daily rhythm, the shared life, and the feeling of being genuinely welcomed and supported.
Jalaun Beukes
Resident Chef
Personal chef and lover of food, making things, and good company. Jalaun prepares nourishing communal dinners most evenings, creating the daily ritual of shared table that turns a group of individuals into a temporary home.
Morning Practice
Each morning we offer a gentle, mindful start to the day. This may include light movement, meditation, or short hikes in nature, depending on the energy of the group and the weather. The emphasis is on arriving in the body and settling into the day together.
Sample Daily Rhythm
- 07:30–08:45 Mindful morning routine
- 09:00–12:00 Free time / writing / remote work / rest
- 12:00–13:30 Self-service lunch from the full fridge
- Afternoon Free or workshop (on workshop days 14:00–17:00)
- 18:30–20:00 Communal dinner
- Evening Optional open time, conversation, or quiet
Accommodation
All rooms are comfortable and designed for community living in nature.
- 2-bed dorm rooms – shared with one other person
- Studios (with or without kitchenette, can also be shared)
- Apartments (1, 2 or 3 – good for sharing)
If two people choose to share any private room or apartment, a sharing supplement of €15 per person per day applies (see pricing below).
Pricing
The full two-week residency is the recommended experience. It allows the stories to unfold, settle, and begin to take new shape.
Two weeks (17–31 October)
| Accommodation | Base (incl. food) | + Programme €500 | Early-bird €400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bed dorm room | €416.50 | €916.50 | €816.50 |
| Studio without kitchenette | €735.00 | €1,235.00 | €1,135.00 |
| Studio with kitchenette | €857.50 | €1,357.50 | €1,257.50 |
| Apartment 1 | €1,568.00 | €2,068.00 | €1,968.00 |
| Apartment 2 | €1,225.00 | €1,725.00 | €1,625.00 |
| Apartment 3 | €1,323.00 | €1,823.00 | €1,723.00 |
For those who want to share: a sharing supplement applies (2 weeks): €210 per person when sharing any private room or apartment. This amount is simply added to the totals above.
One-week option
Available if you can only join for one of the two weeks. The weekly rate is higher than half the two-week price, as the container is designed around the full journey.
| Accommodation | 1 week (incl. food + programme) |
|---|---|
| 2-bed dorm room | €550 |
| Studio without kitchenette | €750 |
| Studio with kitchenette | €850 |
| Apartment 1 | €1,200 |
| Apartment 2 | €1,000 |
| Apartment 3 | €1,100 |
For those who want to share: a sharing supplement applies (1 week): €105 per person when sharing any private room or apartment. This amount is simply added to the totals above.
A 50% deposit is required to secure your place.
The remaining balance is due 30 days before arrival.
Only 10 spaces available
How to Reach Us
Satvana is nestled near the village of São Martinho das Amoreiras in the peaceful Alentejo countryside of southern Portugal.
By car it is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes from Lisbon Airport and 1 hour 15 minutes from Faro Airport.
Private transfers
We can help coordinate a private car or van (up to 8 passengers) from Lisbon or Faro. Get in touch for a quote.
By train
Take the train from Lisbon or Faro to Funcheira station. We are happy to recommend a local taxi for the final leg of the journey.
We can also help arrange local excursions with a trusted partner if you wish to explore the area during free time.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change.
More than 30 days before arrival: full refund of your 50% deposit (minus any transaction fees).
Less than 30 days before arrival: the deposit is retained, as it covers the cost of holding your place and the difficulty of re-booking at short notice.
Once you have checked in: the full amount remains due, even if you choose to leave early.
If something unexpected arises, please write to us as early as possible. We will always do our best to find a fair solution within these guidelines.
FAQ
How many people will be there?
A maximum of 10 participants so that the workshops remain intimate and the shared living feels like a real home.
Do I need any previous creative or writing experience?
No. The work is as much about the stories you live as the stories you write. Complete beginners and experienced creatives are equally welcome.
What is the accommodation like?
All rooms are comfortable and designed for community living in nature. Details of specific room types will be confirmed once you apply.
Can I work remotely during the two weeks?
Yes. The schedule includes generous free time each day so that participants who need to work can do so without missing the core offerings.
What about breakfast and lunch?
We provide a full fridge. Breakfasts and lunches are self-service. Dinners are prepared for the group most evenings.
Is this suitable if I am going through a big life transition?
Often yes. Many people arrive precisely because their old narrative no longer fits. The container is supportive, but it is not a therapeutic programme. If you are in an acute crisis we recommend speaking with us first.
Ready to rewrite the story?
If something in you recognises that the story you are living is ready to be rewritten, we would love to hear from you.
Only 10 spaces available
We warmly recommend joining for the full two weeks.
Early-bird pricing ends 14 September 2026
Apply
1. Apply with the form below.
2. If we confirm your place, book your room on this website for 17–31 October.
3. We add the programme fee to your booking: €500 per person, or €400 per person if you apply by 14 September.
4. A 50% deposit secures your place.
We highly recommend the full two weeks residency. However, we also offer the option of only attending 1 week.