It starts with inspiration and quickly collides with overwhelm. You’re not alone.
It usually starts small… a note on your phone, a saved IG post, a quiet thought you don’t say out loud yet, “What if I hosted a retreat?”
At first, it feels exciting. Like possible? And then, it starts to feel heavy. You find yourself thinking about venues, pricing, schedules, meals, travel… and suddenly the idea that felt exciting now feels overwhelming.
Most assume this is the moment they should stop. But what if this is actually the moment that tells you you’re closer than you think?
The moment overwhelm creeps in
You are picturing your perfect retreat in your imagination and you catch yourself smiling. You’re feeling excited anticipating your guests arriving and being impressed with the experience you have created for them! Their senses can barely take it all in.
And you as the host are rested, refreshed, and ready to greet them. You have made it all look and feel amazing and effortless.
But then, you start feeling the pressure. What if they are not impressed? What if I’m not ready, running behind schedule, not prepared? This isn’t like having a houseguest for the weekend.
Your thoughts start spinning (because our brain is wired to take the path of least resistance, stick with the familiar, and run from danger, aka “the unknown”).
Here is the mental noise you are most likely hearing:
- The logistics are complicated (where will we stay, what about meals, how will everyone get there, what will we do…)?
- How much will my attendees be willing to pay and what if I lose money?
- What if my vision doesn’t match my attendees’ expectations and I don’t sell out- or worse, they are disappointed when they get there?!
- There are so many choices and experts in the retreat business that seem to know what they are doing and I just don’t.
- Maybe, I’m not cut out for this. That’s why it feels so hard and scary.
Can you relate? But the thought of hosting your own retreat just won’t leave you alone.
Why we misinterpret overwhelm
We all tend to think that being overwhelmed with something new means it’s not meant for us, or we are just not ready. Are you sure that the real reason isn’t that you feel like a beginner and you’d rather feel competent?
Our logical minds may acknowledge that it feels challenging when doing something we haven’t done before. Somehow, it’s easier to accept this when it’s riding a bike or learning new tech. The skill is measurable, logical, sequential, and pass/ fail.
Planning a retreat is different because the idea feels meaningful, the stakes feel personal, and clarity hasn’t been established.
Overwhelm doesn’t need to mean STOP! It usually means you’re trying to plan logically before you’ve decided on the key decision guidelines that will keep you on track. What is your grounding purpose for hosting this, and what transformation is your focus for your attendees?
The real reason retreats feel heavy too soon
The real reason retreats feel heavy too soon is that most hosts jump straight to execution, which gives a false feeling of being in control. A checklist of things to do, in order, makes you feel like you are making progress.
When a new host is in ‘planning mode’, the focus is on logistics, timelines, and how much everything is going to cost. You are making one-off decisions without the big picture in place because it’s the next thing on the list.
The best way to approach your retreat is in ‘design mode’, focusing first on intention, transformation, and purpose. This is your measuring stick to determine every other decision.
Retreats are not overwhelming because they are complicated; you are feeling out-of-control because you’re approaching your decisions in the wrong order.
What needs to be clear before anything else
Before you start thinking about the experience you will create for your attendees, there are some fundamental questions you need to wrestle with as the business owner/ host.
What is this retreat experience meant to change for the people who attend?
What key advantages of meeting in person allow this to be a transformational experience?
How does hosting this retreat support the business you are building, and not compete with it?
Clarity is going to be your intentional foundation, not the reward or afterthought.
Your deep breath reflection
Feeling overwhelmed does NOT mean you are failing or not meant to do this. It means the retreat deserves to be designed intentionally and thoughtfully.
Overwhelm is often the signal that something wants to be done well, not fast
VM
If you know you want to host a retreat, maybe the question isn’t, “Can I do this?” Maybe it’s simply, “What is this retreat meant to make possible for me, my audience, and my business?”
That question changes everything, and it’s where the real clarity begins. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or want to brainstorm your idea.
NEXT WEEK: The Question Every Retreat Host Needs to Answer Before Booking a Venue
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