Monday, March 25, 2024

High 7 Classes I’ve Discovered On Retreats


Retreats, retreats, retreats! This has been my life in a nutshell over the previous 12 months. In 2022, I traveled over 5 months of the 12 months and went on 10 retreats all over the world. These journeys coated the whole lot from private {and professional} growth to well being and health. I choose these sorts of immersive, group-travel experiences over every other trip. Right here’s why.

Retreats are all about development: mentally, emotionally, bodily, and spiritually. You’ll be taught the significance of self-awareness, the facility of mindfulness and meditation, the influence of optimistic pondering and angle, and the advantages of setting clear intentions and making a imaginative and prescient on your life.

With a mix of interactive workshops, group actions, and particular person reflection time, retreats are designed that can assist you achieve a brand new understanding of your self and your house on the earth.

Think about your self in a paradise of lush surroundings, surrounded by like-minded people all on the same journey of self discovery. With a workforce of specialists to information you thru the method, you’ll escape the day by day grind and get to give attention to your self and your well-being.

In 2023, there’s no higher time to embark on this interior journey of exploration. The world wants good leaders. The world wants extra mild, laughter, and love. Via retreat experiences like these, you’ll not solely change your self, but additionally the world round you.

Prepared for an journey that may change your life and enable you to grow to be the very best model of your self? For those who’re trying to push your self out of your consolation zone, achieve new views, and are available out feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, then be a part of me in exploring this thrilling world of private growth and mindset retreats.

Listed below are some key classes and takeaways from my 10+ retreats over the previous 12 months!

Here's what you gain from a retreat
What do you achieve from retreats? Maintain studying to search out out!

1. If you wish to be comfortable, don’t be afraid to precise your self

That is the important thing to dwelling a contented life. It might appear easy, however the actuality is that most individuals aren’t dwelling their lives in an genuine method. Many are afraid to precise themselves (together with their feelings, beliefs & needs) for worry of judgement and rejection from others. They’re afraid to be foolish and susceptible. Fuck that – that is no solution to reside. Having to put on a masks every single day carries an incredible quantity of weight and results in pointless struggling.

Expressing your self authentically is a breath of recent air. It provides your soul a voice and in addition lets you be true to your self. Think about having the ability to converse your thoughts with out worry of judgement, having the ability to present your true colours with out worry of rejection. It’s like having a weight lifted off your shoulders – it’s tremendous liberating!

Being genuine (and sincere) additionally lets you construct deeper, extra significant relationships. If you’re in a position to categorical your self authentically, others can get to know the REAL you and join on a deeper degree. Plus, whenever you’re true to your self, you entice individuals who additionally worth authenticity.

Studying from others at The Nomad Escape

And let’s not neglect, expressing your self authentically could be quite a lot of enjoyable! If you’re true to your self, you’ll let your creativity and individuality shine. You’ll be able to faucet into your distinctive skills, passions, and pursuits and use them to create one thing really particular.

So, right here’s to authenticity and honesty. Let’s take a step in direction of being true to ourselves, and embrace the liberty and pleasure that comes with expressing ourselves on this method. It’s time to let your true self shine!

As a travel blogger, I felt self-conscious in the past about posting things relating to my lifestyle (like ice baths). I've now gotten to a place where I don't really care what people think about me, but of course it's a journey.
I used to really feel self-conscious about posting about my life-style. However now I’ve gotten to a spot the place I actually don’t care what folks take into consideration me. | Males of Means Retreat

2. Discover the enjoyable in all issues

Retreats have taught me the last word lesson in life: comply with your highest pleasure and pursue enjoyable and pleasure in any respect prices! In spite of everything, if it ain’t enjoyable, it ain’t price it. Whether or not it’s a routine, behavior, or life-style change, if it doesn’t convey you pleasure and pleasure, it’s not sustainable in the long term.

Give it some thought – whenever you’re doing one thing you’re keen on, it doesn’t really feel like work. You’re so engaged and within the second, that point flies by and also you’re left feeling fulfilled and energized. However whenever you’re caught in a rut, dragging your self via a tedious job or a boring routine, it seems like an eternity.

Take train for example. Whereas some folks could not discover working or weight lifting notably pleasant, there are a lot of methods to make bodily health into one thing enjoyable. Join pickleball at a neighborhood health club, go mountain climbing with a bunch of individuals, watch yoga movies on YouTube, or strive mountaineering. I assure you’ll discover one thing on the market to make exercising enjoyable. For those who haven’t but, then you definitely haven’t appeared laborious sufficient.

That’s why it’s important to infuse your day by day life with actions and habits that convey you pleasure and pleasure. Whether or not it’s dancing round your front room, taking a hike in nature, doing enjoyable actions with pals, or studying a very good ebook, be sure you’re doing issues that mild you up. And when you end up in a state of affairs the place it’s not enjoyable, ask your self, is that this sustainable for me? If the reply isn’t any, it’s time to make a change.

Life is simply too brief to be depressing and sad. So, take advantage of it and pursue your highest pleasure. By making enjoyable and pleasure the last word aim, you’ll thrive in each side of your life.

3. Neighborhood is the whole lot

Happening retreats has taught me the significance of neighborhood. On this digital age the place folks choose Netflix over going out and dealing from house fairly than in an workplace, it’s straightforward to reside in a solitary method. Nonetheless, it’s whenever you encompass your self with like-minded people who magic occurs.

We all need each other to thrive on this planet
All of us want one another to thrive on this planet | Males of Means

Give it some thought – whenever you’re on a hike with pals, the journey up the mountain is a lot extra pleasant when you have got somebody to share the breathtaking views with. Equally, whenever you’re doing yoga with a bunch, the power within the room is electrical and it helps you push your self additional than you’d by yourself.

However it’s not nearly having enjoyable – being in a neighborhood additionally helps you be taught and develop in methods you by no means thought attainable. Throughout a chilly immersion retreat I did in Iceland final 12 months, we spent our days doing chilly plunges in ice chilly rivers and lakes and mountain climbing to the highest of a mountain in only a bathing swimsuit. For sure, it wasn’t straightforward! However doing this with a enjoyable and supportive group made this the great expertise that it was.

If you’re in a bunch, you’re additionally uncovered to totally different views and methods of pondering. It helps you broaden your horizons and see issues from a special approach. Plus, whenever you’re going via a troublesome time, having a supportive neighborhood could make all of the distinction.

In 2023, I’ll proceed to hunt out alternatives for extra group journey experiences. I encourage you to do the identical!

Traveling is all about the people
Touring is all in regards to the folks

4. We’re SO a lot stronger than we predict we’re

That is maybe my greatest takeaway from the previous 12 months. I didn’t be taught this from a ebook or YouTube video; I realized this whereas pushing myself to my absolute limits throughout a Wim Hof retreat in Iceland.

Hiking a mountain in subfreezing temperatures
Climbing a mountain in subfreezing temperatures

From mountain climbing a snowcapped mountain in only a bathing swimsuit to leaping 9 meters into Europe’s coldest lake, I discovered my edge on this journey. I pushed past my fears and self-imposed limits and acquired after it. Right here’s what I realized:

As mammals, we have been born with a toolkit of highly effective psychological schools and bodily talents. With the fitting mindset and constant effort, we will do just about something we set our minds to. This consists of plunging into ice chilly water throughout the winter months.

Don't be afraid to make the leap
Don’t be afraid to make the leap

In fact, you don’t must submerge your self in icy waters to beat your self, your fears, and your limiting beliefs. However rattling, does it work wonders. And I can’t think about a greater place than Iceland to just do that!

Cold immersion in Iceland
Chilly immersion in Iceland

One other expertise that helped me discover my edge was Physique Camp Mallorca. Throughout my week at this world-class health retreat, I labored out for 3-4 hours every day. This helped me crush my limiting beliefs round how a lot day by day train my physique might deal with. Whereas relaxation and restoration are vital, I realized that the physique will adapt to the workload regardless of how difficult it’s.

Working out at Body Camp Mallorca
Figuring out at Physique Camp Mallorca

Like the rest in life, follow makes good. To unlock the deep layers of power and energy that every of us possesses, it requires us to persistently problem ourselves and push our bodily and psychological limits.

There’s a lion inside you simply ready to be unleashed; retreats like these will enable you to learn to faucet into that power.

Doing the beep test at this fitness retreat
Doing the beep check at this health retreat

5. Setting boundaries and studying to say “no”

Studying to say “no” is the last word superpower. It provides you the power to decide on what you let into your life and what you retain out. It’s not straightforward to set boundaries and converse up for your self – however boy, is it vital. Retreats have helped me get there.

I spent the primary 28 years of my life as a folks pleaser. I’d usually decide to issues I didn’t wish to do and spend time with individuals who drained my power. My aim was to be favored by everybody, which put me at odds with myself. How will you reside life to your full potential whenever you’re giving all of your time and power to everybody however your self?

Retreats have given me the chance to follow these expertise, as they supply a secure and supportive surroundings to discover my limits and learn to talk them successfully.

And it’s not nearly saying “no” to exterior calls for – it’s additionally about setting limits by yourself self-imposed expectations. Moreover, saying “no” could be a type of self-care. It lets you prioritize your personal wants and well-being, fairly than continually placing others’ wants earlier than your personal.

Studying to say “no” could be troublesome at first, however it’s a ability that may be developed with follow. And the advantages are quite a few – whenever you set boundaries, you’ll have extra time and power for the issues that really matter to you. You’ll even be extra more likely to entice folks and alternatives that align along with your values and objectives. That is little doubt one of many greatest classes I’ve realized whereas on retreats.

Learned a lot about setting clear boundaries while on this mindset retreat in Rosarito Beach
Discovered rather a lot about setting clear boundaries whereas on this mindset retreat in Rosarito Seaside

6. It’s SO vital to get clear in your private values and beliefs

Having a transparent understanding of your values and beliefs is like having a map or compass to information you in life. It lets you make choices that align with who you’re and what you stand for. It additionally lets you set objectives which can be in alignment along with your values and beliefs, and to reside a life that’s true to your self. Plus, whenever you’re clear in your values and beliefs, it’s simpler to acknowledge and say no to issues that don’t align with them.

Connection and community are some of my core values
Connection and neighborhood are a few of my core values

Retreats have given me alternatives to get crystal clear on what my core values and beliefs are. This may be fairly an intentional train – requiring you to dive deep into unconscious patterns and ordinary behaviors.

"Dining in the Dark" experience in Costa Rica
“Eating within the Darkish” expertise in Costa Rica

Understanding your private values

To get clear in your core values, begin by asking your self these questions:

– What are the values that form your life and your day by day choices?

– Are you pleased with them, and if not, what values would you prefer to embrace as an alternative?

It’s straightforward to make a listing of values and fill them with buzzwords like love, laborious work, management, and gratitude. However with out defining what these values imply to you, they carry little worth.

Listed below are a few of my core values and what they imply to me – taken from my pocket book through the Dwell Life Activated Retreat in Costa Rica:

  • Authenticity: Letting my coronary heart information my life. Being actual with myself and others
  • Boldness: Getting after it it doesn’t matter what
  • Excessive power: Bringing pleasure and excessive vibes to the whole lot I do
  • Curiosity: Having a ardour to continually be taught and develop
  • Freedom: Being to do what I would like at any time when I would like for my highest good
  • Neighborhood: Prioritizing time spent with individuals who encourage me. Deeply connecting with others – bodily, mentally, and emotionally
  • Journey: At all times in search of out new experiences
  • Enjoyable: Prioritizing play, laughing, and playing around every single day
  • Religion: Deeply realizing that it doesn’t matter what occurs in my life, the whole lot will work out for me

As you’ll be able to see, these aren’t textbook definitions of core values. Every of those phrases and their meanings got here instantly from my coronary heart fairly than my thoughts or a dictionary. You don’t wish to sound rehearsed or polished whenever you’re arising along with your private values. In spite of everything, they need to be pure (and particular) to you!

Rick Parcell guiding us through mindset exercises at Body Camp
Rick Parcell guiding us via mindset workouts at Physique Camp.

As well as, as a part of this train on core values, it’s vital to make a distinction between your required values and the way you’re exhibiting up proper now. For instance, many individuals worth authenticity, however how usually are they really dwelling this manner? The extra sincere you’re about this, the simpler you’ll be on this train.

Personal connection with others is an important value for me
Private reference to others is a vital worth for me

Understanding your beliefs

After you have a strong understanding of your core values, it’s vital to get clear in your perception programs. Ask your self – what are the beliefs which can be at present serving you AND are holding you again?

Doing a Temazcal (sweat lodge ceremony) In Tulum with Males of Means

Most individuals spend their complete lives with out considering or altering their beliefs. They only keep on with what they know – consuming content material that reinforces their opinions and discovering like-minded individuals who make them really feel secure and unchallenged. I’m not simply speaking about matters like politics or faith, by the way in which. That is about your whole perception programs (primarily unconscious) that dictate your ideas, actions, and behaviors each single day.

David Goggins is one of my role models, so it was such an honor getting this award at Body Camp Mallorca
David Goggins is one in every of my function fashions, so it was such an honor getting this award at Physique Camp Mallorca

One set of beliefs that I’ve basically shifted over the previous years are my beliefs about misery. Like everybody else, I used to hunt consolation and ease. I cherished staying in my consolation zone, giving excuses for why I wasn’t attaining sure issues, and avoiding excessive ranges of bodily and psychological stress. I additionally did the whole lot to keep away from emotions of worry and nervousness. Now, I hunt down difficult conditions on a regular basis – doing chilly immersion, laborious exercises, and retreats frequently. What’s modified?

I didn’t get up in the future and have this big awakening second. It took quite a lot of intentional, incremental modifications in my habits over time to vary the way in which I present up in life. I absolutely settle for that typically life will suck, however I get to decide on how I wish to present up regardless. By selecting to hunt out discomfort every single day, it makes the unplanned challenges appear method much less scary.

Simply keep in mind – life is a journey and it takes time to impact change. Don’t sweat the small print and set arbitrary deadlines for attaining your objectives. Simply make progress every single day, regardless of how massive or small. That’s ok. Benefit from the journey!

Making snow angels in Sweden
Making snow angels in Sweden

7. Get out of your thoughts and into your coronary heart

One of many greatest classes I’ve realized over the previous 12 months is that the thoughts is a superb servant, however a horrible chief. If you lead with the thoughts, you let unconscious biases cloud your judgment and speak you out of issues which can be vital to you.

I’m not saying that it’s best to forgo the thoughts fully. No – I’m not that a lot of a hippie. Completely use this unbelievable psychological school that you’ve, however use it as a device for attaining your coronary heart’s needs fairly than let it management you.

For those who usually end up rigorously planning issues that you simply say and do, then you’re working from the headspace fairly than the coronary heart area. If you end up speaking about belongings you “must” or “have to” do, then you definitely’re main from the thoughts. Although I’m tremendous aware of it now, I nonetheless discover myself hanging out extra within the thoughts than I would love. It’s a-okay although…we’re all human!

On all my retreats, I’ve realized many highly effective methods to open up the center. Listed below are a few of them under:

Coronary heart-opening workouts

  1. Meditation: Practising meditation may help you to quiet your thoughts and join along with your coronary heart. It could additionally enable you to to realize perception into your ideas and emotions, and to develop better self-awareness.
  2. Conscious respiration: Focusing in your breath may help you to shift your consideration out of your ideas to coronary heart. It could additionally enable you to to calm your thoughts and scale back stress. Chilly immersion, which requires aware respiration, is among the greatest methods for me to maneuver from the thoughts to the center.
  3. Gratitude journaling: Writing down belongings you’re grateful for may help you open the center area. It could additionally enable you to to attach along with your interior self and to precise your self authentically.
  4. Yoga or different bodily practices: Yoga, dancing or different bodily practices may help you to attach along with your coronary heart and the remainder of your physique. It could additionally enable you to to launch stress and to realize a better sense of interior peace. Kundalini yoga is one in every of my favourite coronary heart openers.
  5. Nature walks: Spending time in nature may help you to attach along with your coronary heart, feelings, and emotions. It could additionally enable you to to realize perspective and really feel grounded.
  6. Inventive expression: Partaking in artistic actions akin to drawing, writing, music, may help you to attach along with your increased self. It could additionally enable you to to precise your self authentically and to realize better self-awareness.
  7. Conscious listening: Take heed to others attentively, specializing in their phrases and feelings. In doing so, your coronary heart will open as a facet product.
Cold water immersion in Iceland has a remarkable way of opening my heart
Chilly water immersion in Iceland has a outstanding method of opening my coronary heart

Relating to dwelling a satisfying and genuine life, working from the center area is the way in which to go! It lets you join along with your feelings and emotions, to make choices that align with who you’re, and to construct deeper, extra significant relationships.

So, let’s quiet the thoughts and hearken to our hearts. It’s time to reside authentically and in alignment with our values and beliefs. It’s time to let our hearts information us on this journey of self-discovery and development. Don’t simply suppose…really feel (and reside) from the center!

Doing a sweat lodge ceremony in Tulum, Mexico was the ultimate heart opener
Doing a sweat lodge ceremony in Tulum, Mexico was the last word coronary heart opener

Why it’s best to embark on a journey of private growth proper now

People have been meant to be sturdy, comfortable, and wholesome. Our our bodies – which embody trillions of cells, muscle mass, tissues, and organs – have been designed to hold us via the most important trials and tribulations in life. We weren’t meant to spend most of our time indoors and on the sofa, consuming junk meals and worrying about petty issues. The world proper now’s full of worry, weak point, and victimhood, however it doesn’t must be that method.

Within the journey forward, you have got two choices: (1) to hunt out consolation every single day or (2) to hunt out challenges and alternatives. For those who select possibility one, life gained’t be straightforward. The world is a troublesome place, even brutal place at occasions. If you wish to pursue consolation and ease, you can be left with nervousness and melancholy – if not now, sometime sooner or later when life will get powerful (it at all times does). Life gained’t be straightforward with possibility 2, both. However within the course of, you’ll go on adventures. You’ll be taught, develop, and sharpen your expertise. Life goes to throw loopy shit your method, however you can be ready to face them.

There’s an previous Dutch proverb that claims tall timber catch a lot of the wind. By selecting a path of private growth and transformation, you’ll face adversity. However additionally, you will achieve the facility and power to resist no matter life throws your method, and impact significant change on the earth within the course of.

If you wish to change the world, all of it begins with your self.

– Numerous love, Jon

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