The only thing you can control is how you show up!
The only thing you can control is how you show up!
I just got back from my first retreat of 2023, my second time hosting in Costa Rica, and my 16th retreat overall.
It was my favorite so far.
Yes, we had an incredible group. We somehow always get very lucky when it comes to our guests. And yes hosting in repeat locations does make it easier. But that's not why it's my favorite retreat (so far.)
It's mostly due to the fact that I showed up the best I ever have.
As a control freak that is really trying to surrender and trust the process, I set an intention to not take myself or my itinerary too seriously. And boy did the universe test me:
Despite the fact that we retreated during the "dry season", we experienced quite a bit of rain and a hella lot of wind. We got mostly lucky with how our excursions lined up with the sunshine but we did end up hiking in the rain for a bit and experienced some extra muddy terrain while horseback riding.
Our first scheduled excursion was overbooked. Once our caravan of 3 SUVs drove 30 minutes one way to our destination, we were informed that it would not be our final destination ;) Everyone sat in the parking lot for a few minutes while I looked up a past hiking trail to quickly pivot.
My dear co-host got a kidney stone, which required us to shift some photoshoots around and make some last minute changes to her return flight.
We had a miscommunication with our massage therapists that again required some changes to previous plans and keeping guests updated.
One of our rental cars suffered a flat tire which required the 13 of us to pack into 2 vehicles for one of our excursions.
We had no cell service at the hot springs, so again, we packed everyone into 2 vehicles only to realize my co-host did get our message and we lost her momentarily. At least it wasn't a guest, right?
True to the pura vida lifestyle, my favorite restaurant closed moments before we hauled all of the guests there just because they felt like closing early for the day.
Ziplining nearly got rained out.
And finally, we lost power our last morning, making it more difficult for everyone to get ready to leave and for me to communicate with our scheduled shuttle.
It takes a lot to make me break my stoic composure and most of the time, I pivoted fairly quickly and effortlessly. But a few times I heard myself (in my head) saying "holy fuck universe, give me a break!"
My coach often reminds me that life is chaotic. That change is a constant. That we can't control much.
These reminders almost became mantras throughout the week, and I got several compliments from the guests that because I was so calm and laidback, no one panicked or got too frustrated and disappointed.
Do I sometimes pull it together just for the sake of the guests' experience? Absolutely.
But I also like to think I've been practicing surrendering to the process for long enough that it's finally paying off.
That I have enough hosting experience (hell, even life experience) to know that panicking and losing my shit benefits no one, especially me.
That I've traveled enough to know that I'm a very small part of this ever-changing, great, big world.
That unless it's truly life or death, it does not warrant being considered serious.
And that there is always so much growth in these moments of releasing control and trusting the process.
So friend, whether you're hosting a retreat or just going to the grocery store, control how you show up to the experience and surrender to the rest.
I promise it will be a much more pleasant experience if you do.
Images by Personal Branding Maven Elise Kutt at Mod Bettie Portraits
My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am retreat host, travel designer, and a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.
I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things.
My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.
Anna VanAgtmael | Retreat Host | Travel Designer