Why retreats matter
Why retreats matter
Retreats aren’t vacations.
I know that might sound strange coming from someone who plans experiences in beautiful places - but hear me out.
A vacation is about escape. A retreat is about intention.
It’s the difference between checking out and checking in.
What I’ve learned after hosting retreats for years is that the place matters - but the why matters more. The theme matters. The container matters. The space you give yourself to slow down, reflect, and actually feel your life again matters.
Retreats work because they ask something of you.
They ask you to be present instead of productive. They ask you to listen instead of distract. They ask you to step away from the noise long enough to notice what’s been whispering for a while.
And investing in yourself - your body, your nervous system, your inner world isn’t indulgent. It’s maintenance. It’s leadership. It’s how you stay connected to yourself instead of running on fumes.
The most powerful retreats I’ve witnessed aren’t about doing more. They’re about softening. Restoring. Letting your system exhale.
Which is why themes matter so much to me.
A thoughtfully designed retreat isn’t random - it’s responsive. It meets you where you are. It supports a season you’re already in, even if you haven’t named it yet.
We’re not escaping our lives. We’re learning how to return to them more grounded, more aware, and more ourselves.
There’s something special coming soon - next week! - rooted deeply in restoration, reflection, and the kind of care we don’t often give ourselves permission to receive.
If you’ve been feeling the pull to slow down, to tend to yourself more intentionally, to step into an experience that’s less about seeing and more about being - keep an eye on your inbox 2/2.
More soon.
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