Thailand: When a Retreat Isn’t What You Hoped For

I was really looking forward to this one.

 After months of travel and learning and immersing myself in different cultures and practices, I signed up for a holistic wellness retreat in Thailand. A week of rest, reflection, and inspiration in a place known for its healing traditions. I had high hopes. Maybe too high.

What I didn’t anticipate was that being someone who works in the wellness world — who teaches, holds space, and studies these systems deeply — means I now come in with a very specialized lens. I notice all the little things. And I’m more attuned than ever to what resonates and what feels misaligned.

The retreat itself wasn’t “bad." In fact, some parts were genuinely lovely, especially the food, which was truly incredible but beyond that, the experience felt a little empty. I couldn’t help feeling it had the potential to offer so much more — not just for me, but for the other guests who were placing their trust in its teachings. There was a lack of heart, of depth, of presence among teachers and staff. The classes felt more like an obligatory checklist than something truly lived and shared. Throughout the week I found myself feeling disconnected — like I was searching for a sense of soul that never quite arrived.

It’s an interesting place to be. Disappointed that it didn’t land. And more than that, aware of how intentional I’ve become in what I seek and what I value.

Despite the letdown, I’m walking away with something important: the clearer I become on my own values and vision, the more I can trust myself to discern. And this clarity is a gift! Especially as I continue shaping the kinds of experiences I want to create for others in my coaching, retreats, and wellness offerings. 

This experience reminded me just how important it is to infuse everything I offer with intention, warmth, and soul — to create spaces that are not just beautiful on the outside, but truly nourishing on the inside. Spaces where people feel seen, cared for, and connected to something deeper. That’s what I want to build and protect in the work I do with Journey Land & Soul.

So no, this week didn’t unfold the way I imagined. But it gave me invaluable clarity on where I want to expand my focus. It deepened my sense of what truly nourishes. And it reminded me that life’s misses often become our best teachers. If I’ve learned anything in this lifetime, it’s that the strongest and most successful among us transform setbacks into opportunities for growth and gratitude. Mindset truly is everything.

For now we're onto the third and final continent of sabbatical: Europe! We will be back stateside in less than 6 weeks. We'll be soaking in every last travel moment until then...