The Cozy Creatives Retreat at Tops'l Farm | Midcoast Maine Photographer

Finding Stillness & Calm at Tops’l Farm in Midcoast Maine

When I first arrived at Tops’l Farm in Waldoboro, Maine, I felt as if I’d entered a world built for both quiet reflection and wholehearted connection. Nestled on endless acres of woodland, pasture, and riverside beauty, this retreat space is a sanctuary- a place where nature’s rhythms set the pace and community blooms in the most meaningful ways.

I had the joy of attending the Cozy Creatives retreat there in the middle November — a weekend that felt like a pause button on the outside world, and a play button for my own creative spirit. The timing was intentional- taking the time to rest and reset before the holiday rush was absolutely instrumental.

If you’ve ever wished for space to breathe, Tops’l delivers that and more. The farm doesn’t try to impress in trendy, glam ways- it impresses by giving you permission to slow down. Every corner of their farmhouse feels intentional, calm, and connected.

During my time there, that sense of intentional rest was everywhere:

• The morning light beaming through the patio doors looking out to the pastures.

• Shared, nourishing meals around long gathering tables.

• Laughter and deep conversations with women all seeking the pause that Tops'l grants you.

• Permission to snooze the afternoon away, calm your brain with gentle yoga, and leave your phone in your room.

  
  

It was a reminder of what happens when you step away from noise and let creativity breathe.

Admittedly, I was anxious for my trip. I'm in my (late) 30s and this was the first trip I have ever embarked upon solo. I stumbled upon Tops'l Farm on instagram and I was hooked. The stars aligned for me and I was invited to spend the weekend with them. Bags and cameras packed- I headed for the airport hoping that everything they promised would come to fruition- and did it ever!

Worth noting- the closest airport is a 30 minute drive away from the L.L. Bean Flagship and that was my first stop! I wandered around all of their shops and picked up a few things. Oysters were a MUST for me, so I bellied up to the bar at Freeport Oyster Bar and devoured life-changing clam chowder with sourdough and raw oysters harvested from 10 minutes down the road. The bar was small, quaint, and absolutely perfect. My server told me about how the owner farms his own kelp and I knew I had chosen the perfect spot for my solo lunch.

What makes a retreat special isn’t just the location — it’s the people you share it with.

Tops’l Farm draws individuals from all over( but I arrived assuming I would be the only attendee that doesn't live in New England) and somehow, even complete strangers become close by Sunday morning. I shared a room with a very cool Mainer- a 20-something working in tech who desperately wanted to reset. The other women in the house were a pair of besties from Alabama, a writer, and an ex-opera singer. We stayed up late (aka, 10:30pm) sitting around the fireplace, connecting, sharing, and laughing.

Our incredible hosts had itineraries planned but with absolutely no expectations for us to play along. REST was the most important thing on the list- and as it turned out, my body demanded I sleep through the day on Saturday, waking just in time for our evening snacks and dinner. A 6 hour nap can do wonders for a woman! Since this was a creative retreat, we learned a few new skills, and I can honestly say that I am now hooked on embroidery. There was yoga in the mornings, massages scheduled for all attendees, and zero expectations. Some of us migrated toward the sauna and wood-fired hot tub, while others woke up with the sun and ventured out to visit the sheep and pigs with coffee in hand.

One of the lasting impressions of my experience was how Tops’l blends nature, nourishment, and simplicity seamlessly. Seasonal meals, sourced from local farms and the region, are nourishing and comforting. We were so grateful to Bonnie, the chef on site, for crafting these incredible meals and delighting us with her secret recipe for hot cocoa and handmade marshmallows.

In a world that often values hustle above almost everything else, Tops’l Farm gently reminds you that rest is not optional — it’s creative fuel. I arrived back in Baltimore on Sunday evening, chasing the sunset. For the first time in a long time, I felt calm and did everything I could to hold on to that feeling for as long as possible.

I can't wait to return to Maine one day, but this time with my family. It was exactly as I had hoped- calm, cozy, and welcoming.