The sneaky beliefs that keep you from booking that retreat

I see it a lot. The repeated checking out the retreats I offer. What’s not so obvious is what’s standing in the way of actually booking for most of us.

The thing is, your life is good. Genuinely good. Your job works, the people are lovely, nothing is falling apart.

When asked how you are, the response is usually “fine” (and you mostly mean it).

But somewhere underneath, quietly, there's a pull for something more than fine.

Not a crisis. Not a rescue. But... more.

More mornings that feel like yours. More meals eaten slowly. More days where you aren’t the one holding everything together. More time to just relax and be with what brings you joy.

More moments that make you feel oh, there I am.

And it feels a bit silly admitting it.

Because you were raised to be grateful. To not make a fuss. To not want extra when what you have is already plenty.

Wanting more feels greedy, or ungrateful, or like you’re missing the point.

You aren’t.

Wanting more than fine is not the same as being ungrateful for fine.

You can love your life and still want a week that belongs entirely to you.

You can be genuinely happy and still want to come home from somewhere feeling softer, lighter, a bit more yourself.

Here are some of the hidden beliefs that can get in the way of booking a retreat:

Feeling you’d be seen as selfish for taking this time just for you / spending this amount of money on yourself

You don’t need to feel broken to go on a retreat.

And you don't need to have earned it by burning out first.

You're allowed to go just because you want to.

Just because "fine" has started to feel a little small, and you want to remember what it feels like to want something for yourself and then actually give it to yourself.

That's reason enough.

That's always been reason enough!

At the end of the day, your heart is saying yes but your conditioning might be what’s standing in the way.

In my coaching, I often ask clients facing a decision the following Q: What would your 80-yr old self wish you’d done? What wisdom or advice would she share about your desire and hesitation in this situation? Place your hand on your heart, close your eyes and imagine you’re sitting beside her in her rocking chair, and just listen for her answers.

Yours in following the wisdom of our 80 yr old self,

Charmaine xx