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Maine Muse Residency
The Maine Muse Residency nurtures the creative spirit of women by providing an immersive retreat experience amidst our 83 acres in the Midcoast of Maine. We empower emerging storytellers, photographers, and artists to connect with nature, cultivate their craft, and share their unique perspectives with the world, enriching both their own artistic journeys and the vibrant creative community.
This year, we're opening our doors to a select group of women residents who will join us at Tops'l Farm in Midcoast Maine for select (fully funded) Petite Pause retreats in 2025. In exchange for this immersive experience, residents will share their creative journey through captivating content, inspiring others and showcasing the beauty of Tops’l Farm and the surrounding region.
Our residency programs are an important way that we fulfill our mission, providing modern day storytellers access to our spot here in Maine that will allow for a deeper connection with nature.
All of our residents are selected based on their ability to demonstrate a knack for sharing stories and creating unique content for digital storytelling. We welcome and encourage diverse applicants, and we are always excited to receive submissions that convey a unique relationship with, or perspective on, the natural world.
Apply today for a chance to experience the magic of a Petite Pause retreat and unlock your creative potential in 2025.
How to Apply
We are including the prompts/questions below as suggestions only!
Feel free to share your work and specific approach to storytelling in anyway that you see fit. To submit, please copy these questions to another document and email them to us at hello @ topslfarm.com after you have submitted your application fee
Two ways to submit the application fee of $25:
1. Submit via this link.
2. Venmo @topslfarm
About You and Your Work:
Introduce yourself and your creative practice.
What mediums do you work in, and what themes or subjects are you most drawn to exploring in your art?
Share a piece of your work that you are particularly proud of and explain why.
How would you describe your connection to the natural world, and how does it influence your creativity?
What are your creative goals for the next year, and how do you envision this residency contributing to those goals?
Why Maine?:
What draws you to the Maine landscape as a source of inspiration?
Why are you interested in a residency at Tops'l Farm specifically?
What is your vision for the content you would create during your residency at Tops'l Farm? Be specific about the types of content (photos, videos, written reflections, social media posts, etc.) and what you hope to capture and share.
How do you see your work connecting with or contributing to a larger conversation about nature, community, or creativity?
What does "creative community" mean to you, and how would you engage with the community at Tops'l Farm?
Optional/Additional Questions:
Is there anything else you would like us to know about your application or your creative practice?
If you have a website or online portfolio, please share the link.
If you have any social media channels where you share your work, please provide the links.
Staying at Tops’l Farm
Lodging
Lodging options are simply beautifully shared spaces just like summer camp! Depending on the time of year and available spaces, these offerings could be in a glorious renovated farmhouse, a woodland cabin or quaint cottage.
Food
All meals and snacks are included during our Petite Pause Retreat. A focus on simple, nourishing meals with seasonal ingredients. Brunch and dinner each evening will be in our event barn space & shared family style. If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know in the notes section on checkout, and we will do our best to accommodate.
Alcohol & Phone Use
We are not enforcing strict rules around these things. Our goal is to help create a space for yourself to truly recharge and reconnect with yourself. We highly encourage you to drop your phone off with us for a period of time. If that brings you severe anxiety, then of course, this isn't the right choice for you. The same goes with choosing (or not) to have this time on the farm be spirit-free - we know you will make the best choice for yourself, and we will honor that space!
Upcoming 2025 Retreats | Claim Your Time
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"There are really no words to describe how special Tops'l Farm has become for me. This was my second "pause" and it was even better than the first. The concept is brilliant, the venue lovely and the people...oh my gosh the people! Tops'l is the perfect place to dial down the outside noise and enjoy nature, unplugging and absorbing the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding area. Our facilitator, Jane Frederick created an incredible space for this group of busy, caretaking women to exhale literally and figuratively. We started on Friday as strangers, this group of 29 amazing women. We left as friends and confidantes, cheering each other on and hugging without wanting to let go. There are not enough words to explain how special the Petite Pause is and why Tops'l is heaven on earth in Waldoboro Maine. So I will just say.....spectacular. oh, and the cheesecake. unreal."
-Jill P.
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"This was an amazing visit at Tops’l Farm! This Petite Pause was a fantastic way to start into winter with gratitude. Our room at the Cider House was comfortable and well appointed. The house itself is perfect New England charm. The event Barn and farmhouse are gorgeous! The food was so delicious and nourishing. I never left the table hungry. The Host Amy did a fantastic job at gathering us together as well as ensuring we had time for ourselves. Everything was honestly just perfect! Cannot wait to see the lineup for next year so I can decide when I’m coming back!!"
-Kimberly S.
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"I had an amazing time at the creative Petite Pause. I met people from across the country who I will keep in contact with for years to come. My mother joined, who is not a typically creative person, and she loved it. The meals were amazing, the activities were great (even for my mom), and the property is gorgeous. We also had the best massages of our lives there. I recommend this to everyone and can't wait to go again!"
-Hannah A.
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"I had the best time! As working mom to two young kids it was so incredible to have a weekend away and it was so well planned. The perfect mix of downtime, activities, massage, delicious food and time in a beautiful space with awesome women. I left with my cup so full - already thinking about next year."
-Rachel F.
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"This was a great pause! The accommodations were lovely and the venue is just gorgeous! Every meal was delicious. The vibe and energy of the entire staff was fun, friendly and they all smiled! It was refreshing to see people enjoying the space, new friends and sharing stories."
-Mazie H.
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"The Petite Pause weekend at Tops’l Farm was perfect. The warmth, hospitality, and beautiful setting helped me to relax. I truly enjoyed staying in the Cider House, and loved exploring the farm and the connection with other attendees."
-Kristin F.
LEARN MORE
A Petite Pause is:
For women
and those who identify as such
A light itinerary
of group gatherings and optional activities. Yoga, afternoon workshop, sauna, meditation, massage, etc.
Hosted by Sarah Pike
and some wonderful women collaborators
All meals & lodging, massage & activities included
Private & Shared Year-Round Lodging in Farmhouse, Farm Cottage, & Cider House. Woodland Cabins in Spring, Summer & Fall, and additional rooms at a neighboring farm in the winter.
Plenty of fresh air & naps
and free time to explore our farm & the Midcoast
The Antidote to Overwhelm
One doesn’t have to look far to find all sorts of tools to help manage stress. The list of gadgets, apps, subscriptions, toxic positivity gurus and lifestyle advice is ever-growing and filled with more fluff than substance. They all miss the point: MORE is not the solution. Gaining back a small bit of personal sanity requires a simple, yet very effective approach: stop doing so damn much for a minute.
We’re not proposing a factory reset of your entire life. Start small; try a weekend away from your normal grind. The subtle, yet transformative clarity you need comes from hitting the off button on the to-do list autopilot. We can’t fix everything that ails your life, but we can give you a place to break out of a rut. And it turns out that a day or two is the perfect length of time for some mission-critical self care; the first step is taking the time & joining the supportive company of like-minded women.
A proper fire requires space and oxygen before it can warm those around it. This is your chance to tend to your flame.
General FAQs
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Yoga, meditation, wellness, creative, religious, etc.
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We believe that a few days away can reset a perspective. We offer an (all optional) light schedule of activities allowing lots of delicious space for rest. After a daily yoga/movement offering and breakfast, the day awaits your own direction and schedule – with a few optional workshops planned in the afternoon.
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Of course.
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Our picturesque 83 acres offer the most lovely backdrop for a short rest and reset. Short hikes, forest bathing, yoga, massage, and a few select workshops are always on the schedule. But we encourage those of us who are also always go-go-going to take a moment and pause – take a nap, read a book, stare at the clouds. Sometimes the best thing to do is quite simply nothing at all!
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All retreats cover lodging, meals, a massage, and optional workshops/activities.
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Travel costs and beverages are not included.
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We offer a “Gift of Pause” at each retreat. If you are interested in being considered, please click here.
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We do require a minimum of 12 participants for a retreat.
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Please sign up for our retreat via the link on the website registration.
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We do not – but if this is a barrier to your joining, please do reach out and we can see if we can be helpful!
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Please note that because Petite Pauses are by design limited to a tiny number of attendees, our cancellation policy is in place to help guests and us alike work together sharing costs that may arise from unexpected cancellations.
HOLD DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
Hold deposits ARE transferable to another attendee found and assigned by original attendee. Cancellation requests submitted within 30 days of retreat date, 50% of total amount (less deposit) will be refunded. Within 14 days of your retreat: sorry but no refunds given, no exceptions. If you find yourself in this spot, please find someone to gift it to. Any refunds allowed will incur a 3% processing fee.
No one books an experience like this with the intention of cancelling it, but unexpected events do occur, so please consider purchasing travel insurance. By booking a spot on our retreat you assume responsibility for reading and understanding our cancellation policies. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early.
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We often will have a waitlist, especially for some of our off-property lodging. We can say with certainty that our off-property lodging is lovely and you will have ALL the benefits of pause.
Accommodations
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For retreats, we offer a variety of different accommodations based on your desired experience and comfort level. We have private rooms, shared rooms, dorms, and a more rustic camping experience available as well.
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Linens and towels are provided to guests staying for retreats.
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Some do – others don’t. There are some accommodations that have private bathrooms but others that share – it is very clear in the booking listing so the best place to learn about which rooms have shared bathrooms is to look at the reservation process.
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Wi-Fi is available in rooms and common areas if you are staying in The Farmhouse, Cottage, or Cider House. It is also available in common areas like the event barn. WiFi is not available in the A-frames on the campground.
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There is nothing we love more than some downtime with a good book, or simply to unwind! You are welcome to do so in the library in the Farmhouse, or anywhere on property that suits you.
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There are no dogs allowed in the campground. Well-behaved dogs that know they are not supposed to be on the furniture are allowed in the Farmhouse, Farm Cottage, and Cider House. If you are attending a retreat, do reach out and let us know if that is a possibility.
Dietary
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Food is our love language. We source from our own farm and nearby whenever possible. It is heavily influenced by the FARM + SEA and seasonal offerings here in Maine. Humble, fresh and gorgeous!
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We can most often accommodate basic restrictions – please do reach out to let us know your specific circumstances so we can confirm.
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Yes, they are. Our retreats are all-inclusive from a meals standpoint – it’s all a part of how we nurture you!
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The Farmhouse, Farm Cottage and Cider House all have kitchens.
Accessibility
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We have an accessible event barn space as well as our Queen Suite Cabin. Please do reach out with any specific needs so that we can ensure your comfort and ease.
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It is best to reach out and confirm the specific needs of the guest and the event, but generally we go through great lengths to make sure our guests can be accommodated.