Reflections on the Costa Rica Retreat, February 2022

It’s been a week since we wrapped up the Costa Rica Retreat and finished scouting the Nicoya Peninsula. We had the best group ever, truly, and I have no idea how we keep getting so lucky in that department.

After emailing back and forth for the better part of a year, I am always so grateful to finally get to meet our guests in the flesh, hear their stories, and love that we’re still getting updates from them in the group text.

Watching strangers encourage, support, and literally cheer each other one continues to be the greatest gift I’ve received since I started hosting retreats in 2018.

We enjoyed all of the beautiful sights and sounds that Arenal has to offer and greatly enjoyed each other’s company throughout the week. We kayaked on Lake Arenal, hiked the Arenal Volcano, soaked in the natural hot springs, went ziplining, and horseback riding to two private waterfalls. We saw sloths, monkeys, birds, and heard the giant bullfrogs. There were many smiles and even more laughs as well as the occasional tears, which are ok too.

Creating a safe environment for people to be vulnerable is something that I’m really proud of. Some of our guests showed up with grief from recent losses, stress from another tough year, and worry over a hospitalized family member. We also had two guests have to cancel last minute due to COVID which made me so sad and disappointed for them and also reaffirmed we have a really great cancellation policy that covers everyone’s investment. (How’s that for glass half full?)

Life happens. There is no light without the dark, happy without the sad. This retreat reminded me of one of my favorite Melody Beattie passages:

“When we’re lost, when the way gets dark, sometimes we see things we never would have seen in the daylight. Sometimes, the lessons we learn in the darkness are breathtakingly beautiful. Enjoy the sunshine, but trust the darkness, too. It is more than to be endured. It is to be experienced, and later cherished.”

I hope whatever our guests are experiencing that our retreats help them embrace and move through it. A huge part of Wandering Roots as a brand promises you an “escape from the ordinary,” but that doesn’t mean escaping life, it means embracing it in all its forms. Taking time to see if you’re living in a way that you love and is true to your values and also pausing long enough to work on the things you may have been putting off or avoiding.

Don’t get me wrong, I want you to relax and recharge, but I hope you get something deeper out of our retreats than just a mental reset.

I hope you’ll join us for a retreat. If not now, when? Be honest about what’s really holding you back. It’s normally deeper and more personal than time and money.

We’ll be here when you’re ready :)

If you’ve been following along for awhile and haven’t yet joined us on a retreat, here’s why you should 😉

Watching strangers connect will restore your faith in humanity.

It will remind you that there's so much good in the world.

It will remind you that it's ok to not be ok.

It will remind you that there are seasons of life, some filled with more joy and others filled with more sadness.

You will meet the most incredible people that remind you that you are not your job, your salary, or your roles.

You will connect over your passions.

You will be reminded that you are worthy.

And most importantly, you will remember that you matter.

So do it. Go on a retreat.

Join us on our next adventure!

My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am 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. Though we desire adventure and authentic experiences, naturally our fear holds us back.

My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.

Anna VanAgtmael | Yoga Enthusiast | Travel Designer