Going on a Retreat Alone: What It's Actually Like

Most of our guests come solo. And almost all of them tell us they were nervous about it beforehand.

Will I fit in? Will it be awkward? What if everyone else already knows each other? What if I'm the odd one out?

I hear these questions all the time. And every single retreat, I watch the same thing happen: by day two, people are way more comfortable with each other than they expected to be. By the last evening, they're exchanging numbers and making plans to meet up back in their home cities or travel together again.

So if you've been thinking about joining a retreat but the "going alone" part is holding you back, let me walk you through what it's actually like.

Solo travel builds something in you

There's a confidence that comes from doing something on your own, especially something that feels a little scary at first. Booking a flight to a new country, arriving somewhere you've never been, walking into a room of people you've never met. None of it is easy. But all of it builds trust in yourself.

That feeling of "I did this, and it was amazing" stays with you long after the retreat is over. It changes how you approach other things in your life, the decisions you've been sitting on, the conversations you've been avoiding, the boundaries you've been meaning to set.

Solo travel doesn't just give you a break from your routine. It reminds you what you're capable of.

You meet people you'd never cross paths with at home

One of the things our guests mention most is the people. People from different cities, different countries, different careers, different life stages. You'd never meet them in your normal life. Because everyone who's there has chosen to be there, and because they share similar values around wellness and travel and personal growth, connection happens fast. After a few days of eating together, moving together, laughing together, and having real conversations, the group becomes genuinely close.

And those connections don't just end when the retreat does. I've seen roommates who arrived as complete strangers visiting each other in their home cities two years later. One guest ended up being mentored by the photographer on the retreat after deciding to change careers. People show up to each other's birthday parties back home. It's one of my favourite things about running retreats, watching these relationships take on a life of their own.

And there's something freeing about being around people who don't know your history. No one is holding you to who you were last year, or last month. They're meeting you as you are right now. For a lot of people, that's a really refreshing experience.

You won't feel like you're showing up to strangers

This is something we've put a lot of thought into, because we know how daunting it can feel to arrive somewhere alone.

Before every retreat, we host a virtual meetup so the group can see each other's faces and start getting to know one another. We also set up a group chat, so by the time you land, you've already been talking for a few weeks. You know names, you've shared travel plans, and you've probably already made a few jokes. The "stranger" feeling is mostly gone before you've even packed your bag.

And if you're sharing a room, we don't just randomly pair people. You fill out a questionnaire about your preferences, your sleep habits, your energy levels, and we match you with someone who's on a similar wavelength. It makes a real difference. Our guests consistently say they felt comfortable from day one, and a lot of them end up becoming close friends with their roommate.

You can talk to us before you commit

If you're still on the fence, you don't need to make a decision from behind a screen. You can book a completely free call with us, no pressure, no pitch. Just a chance to ask your questions, get a feel for who we are, and figure out whether it's right for you.

Maybe you want to know who else is coming, what the accommodation is like, or what happens if you need some alone time during the week. Whatever it is, we're happy to talk through it.

You'll wish you'd done it sooner

That's the thing every solo guest says to us afterwards. Not "it was fine" or "I survived it." They say, "I can't believe I almost didn't come."

Going alone feels like the biggest hurdle. And then you get there, and you realise it was actually the best part. Because you weren't managing anyone else's experience. You weren't compromising. You were fully there, for yourself, and the people around you were doing the same.

If you've been circling the idea of a retreat but waiting for someone to come with you, this is your sign to stop waiting. The right people are already going to be there.

Curious but still have questions? Book a complimentary call with us or browse our upcoming retreats. Most of our guests come alone, and they'll tell you it was the best decision they made! Read about some of their experiences here.