What might happen if you give yourself the gift of a Women’s Wellbeing Retreat?
A frequent question about my Women’s Wellbeing Retreats is “why only women?” I’ve been asked this question by both women who prefer to travel with their spouse and men who really want to be included on the types of retreats I offer. My answer to the latter is, maybe in the future, but not yet.
Having led about a dozen women-only retreats in the U.S. and abroad, I’ve come to treasure these experiences for a variety of reasons. I also hear these sentiments echoed, repeatedly, by the women who attend. There’s something about dedicating time to our own needs, our own travel, with a group of women, which leads to intrapersonal insights, more meaningful connections with others, and a deep sense of renewal — of restoration.
As a facilitator, I like to include reflective exercises to help each participant tap a bit more deeply into her innate superpowers. During my last retreat, in Portugal, one participant shared that her take-away was “I can do hard things”. She was reflecting on her experience of our treetop ropes excursion. I imagine her tapping into that knowledge later, as she faces the inevitable life challenges unique to women leaders. Another participant sent me a text several months after the retreat to share that the retreat ‘changed my life’ and referred to the transformative changes she’s made in her leadership role at work. A participant on my Greece retreat who was concerned about seasickness during our travel to a small island discovered that she felt best driving the boat. I can still see her standing behind the wheel, grinning ear-to-ear. Such a powerful metaphor for leading in life!
Forming connection with others might seem like a natural byproduct of gathering as a group of women, and shedding layers of stress through yoga, mindful practices, and nature. Indeed, that helps. And yet, there’s something more. The willingness to open, just a bit beyond usual comfort zones, is required to embark on this kind of trip. Mixing that openness with group support and occasional guided facilitation helps us all go a bit deeper. Finding comfort in new connections within the travel group typically leads to more authentic connections with the people of the places we visit. My biggest take-away from leading international retreats is that people are people, wherever we go. We all want love, belonging, creative expression, and connection. We all want to create lives where we can care for ourselves and our families in a way that feels good and is sustainable. Connecting with others through shared cultural experiences expands us. We open more deeply, are genuinely more curious, and often more compassionate as a result.
A final take-away that I hear repeatedly and have experienced myself is the sense of returning home restored and renewed. A deeper sense of agency comes from being able to indulge in empathic self-care. Each day, participants are encouraged to choose the activities, and the degree to which, they’d like to engage. They’re reminded daily that everything is ‘challenge by choice’. Opportunities to explore nature, practice yoga, and tour cultural sites are mixed in with opportunities to rest and relax. Each passing day during which the only choice to consider is: “What best serves me today?” leads to a deepening sense of release, and an increasing sense of joy.
Why women only? I’m in ease and flow when I lead a group of women towards deeper insight, connection, and renewal. The feedback I’ve received from participants reflects this sentiment – “it just seems easy”!
I’m already excited about sharing this experience with those of you who have signed up for my next retreat in Madeira, Portugal from May 3–10, 2025.
If you are contemplating attending a retreat like this, perhaps this is your time.
If you are unsure, or have questions, send me an email colleen@wellbeingwv.com or book a session with me. I love chatting with people about this destination!
If you know you’d like to attend a retreat with me and can’t make this one, I’d love to hear from you as well. Where would you like to go? What makes a retreat experience fun, and doable for you?
With gratitude,
Colleen