10 Things I Learned Launching The Retreat Space

Photo by Quinn Corte. Beautiful handwritten piece by my friend Chelsea.

When 2020 started, my dream was to open a magical retreat center in the woods. I planned to spend the year testing ideas and building community for that dream. I envisioned visiting retreat centers around the country and facilitating gatherings in beautiful places.

On Friday, March 13—as businesses in Boston started shutting their doors—I went for a walk. I felt the world shifting underneath my feet. I was anxious. I kept walking until I heard a little voice inside me say, “Open your retreat center online.”

The words struck me like lightning. Of course! I didn’t know how the virus would unfold, but I knew we would all be isolated, scared, and online for awhile. Just coming off a hiatus from working, I had energy. And most importantly, I had So. Many. Ideas. 

Having a purpose turned my nerves into excitement. It took me only 10 days to rally friends and collaborators, decide on a name, create a website, and announce 3 free online events. 

Over the course of April and May, The Retreat Space offered 13 free live events and 4 pre-recorded videos. From yoga to tarot; from breathwork to Feng Shui, we joined together to heal, learn, and play. I am so grateful to the amazing contributors who offered their gifts, and to everyone who showed up to try something new.

I’m taking a summer hiatus, and it has been so helpful to reflect on our first season and feel into what’s next. 

 Here are 10 things I learned from launching The Retreat Space. 

1. Strike while the iron’s hot.
   When I had a great idea and the inner fire to back it up, it felt amazing to throw myself into a new project. Once I committed, I didn’t let my doubts take over. It was time to strike, and I went for it. 

2. Don’t push it if it doesn’t feel good.
   One of my collaborators and I were inspired to create and offer an in-depth course. We were both excited at first, but as we discussed it further, we started feeling tense. It was too much to take on during such an intense time. We both admitted our overwhelm and lovingly hit “pause” on the idea, which brought us closer.

3. Go with your flow.
   There is time for yang/fire and time for yin/water. Both are equally important. It’s really easy to get caught up in “shoulds,” especially under the pressure of trying something new. I practiced listening to my own rhythms to determine when to be active and when to take a break. 

4. Center your own knowing.
   There’s a lot of chatter out there about how to start a business, how often to post on social media, how to do email marketing, and how to become a more socially conscious business owner. A LOT. Even though I was in completely new territory, I learned really fast that I am my one and only authority for what feels right and what feels wrong. 

5. Validation comes from within.
   Launching something new is extremely vulnerable. Especially during the pandemic, people were distracted. Sometimes events were small, or I put myself out there and heard crickets. I had to take deep breaths to calm the discomfort of my ego. I realized that it’s important to me to express myself and be seen, but I don’t need external validation in order to be proud of what I’m offering.

6. Push yourself (gently) to see rewards.
   Shortly after putting myself out there with The Retreat Space, I felt an inner nudge to facilitate my first event. I remember doubting myself and thinking I wasn’t ready; that I was an imposter. But I know from experience that pushing myself to leap before I’m ready is infinitely more rewarding than hiding under the covers. 

7. We can use our privilege to make real change.
   The murder of George Floyd and igniting of a race revolution woke me up to the systemic racism within me, within my country, and within wellness spaces like this one. It has been humbling to acknowledge my privilege. I’m committed to learning and making The Retreat Space less white-washed, more inclusive, and actively anti-racist. 

8. Success is a feeling; not a metric.
   The two things that brought me down really fast were trying to turn my free wellness space into a money-making business before I was ready, and comparing myself to others on social media. I only felt free enough to create when I wasn’t counting followers or dollars.

9. Helping people feels good.
   The best part of this experience has been hearing from you. From major breakthroughs to temporary relief to lots of laughs, you have found healing, growth, and community here. I’m so proud of the beautiful and sacred exchange we co-created during this difficult time.  

10. It’s OK to not be a rockstar right now.
    This year is challenging us in the most serious ways—illness, fear, job loss, isolation, uncertainty, social and political upheaval. Our bodies are processing constant stress, and that leaves us with less to give. Whatever we have to give, that’s perfect. Taking my break this summer is not a failure; it’s perfect. Now is the time to practice being radically kind to ourselves and to each other.