Why We All Need to Retreat Sometimes

Sara
May 8
4 min read

Updated: May 9

We successfully had our Climate Wellness Retreat in the Hotel Rantapuisto a few weeks ago and the feedback has been incredibly positive. This was the first time for me in organising and hosting a full day retreat so in that sense it was also very meaningful experience for myself. Before diving deeper into the benefits of participating in retreats, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for our co-host Juni Sinkkonen, who made this day possible for all of us.

Throughout the day, we explored different practices. The day started with a lecture on eco-emotions followed by a dynamic meditation and yoga practice. The latter half of the day was used for quiet reflection and group sharing in a circle. The retreat focused on discovering methods to feel grounded and foster hope while confronting the daily challenges of our world.

I've been also doing a lot of personal reflection lately. Organising this retreat felt like a huge thing but at the same time very natural and rewarding. My intention is to always improve and learn new techniques for facilitating spaces for others. This is why I'm sharing my perspectives on the benefits of either attending a retreat or organizing one yourself!

Why join a retreat?

A moment to prioritise yourself (without massive guilt)

We all know by now that taking care of yourself is not selfish. However, nobody is immune to life's demands and certain priorities which sometimes requires us to think more about the needs of other people than ourselves. When you book a retreat, you've already set an intention to prioritise yourself. Simultaneously, it is a massive leap of faith because you are stepping into unknown, outside your comfort zone. Even if the programme is available before the retreat, you do not know the people you're going to meet and insights you will gain. It is very brave act of self-love and open-mindedness to continuously evolve and learn about new tools to take of yourself.

Many people experience guilt and have conflicting emotions about dedicating time to themselves. It can be refreshing to realize that others share these same feelings. In the Climate Wellness Retreat, our aim was to emphasise the importance of filling our own cups before pouring to others. In a way retreat gives you an external permission to do so with ease. Besides, it can be really refreshing to surround yourself with new sceneries to get out of any autopilot in the mundane life.

Attending retreats can have a lasting impact, serving as an investment in your personal growth. Many of us already invest in this in many ways, such as through journaling, meditation, yoga, reading or being in the nature but actually doing these (and new methods!) with others can prompt you to continue to incorporate these practices in your daily live after.

Opportunity to make new friends

People who participate in retreats are often like-minded individuals who come to retreats with similar goals. It is rather easy to find deep connections with new people and avoid the boring small talk that is often required in new social situations. The space is also safe to express your innermost being as every single person genuinely wants to be there. It warms my own heart when new connections are being made and friendship or sisterhood is established. In my opinion, we need more for these kinds of safe spaces for people to form connections.

Sharing and going through something vulnerable together can be an empowering experience. It builds a whole another level of intimacy between people. If you feel like fostering deeper connections in your life, find a retreat that resonates with you. A guaranteed way to feel more connected with the universe.

New epiphanies and insights

One of my personal favourites of participating in retreats and hearing the feedback as an organiser are the long-lasting personal impacts. Retreats offer a space for quiet reflection, co-regulating in a safe space as well as new surroundings. Your basic needs like nutrition and movement are taken care of for you, so you can finally focus on yourself and listen more carefully your inner dialogue. You may gain new insights and perspectives from others who are going through the same issues as you or you may realise that in stillness you are able to come to yourself and shut down all the outside noise and influences.

At the Climate Wellness Retreat, we spent considerable time on quiet reflection and group activities. I gained a lot of knowledge from others, along with excellent ideas and self-care tips to incorporate into my own life. Some of the activities were initially challenging and perhaps unfamiliar, but the great thing about a retreat is that you can discover your own preferences with guidance. I'm very much looking forward to all upcoming retreats and coming up with new exercises. As a facilitator, I learned the fine balance between planning and going with the flow. It's important to sense the vibe of the group and improvise, as needed.