The Power of Going on a Retreat: How Stepping Away can Change Your Life

There was a time in my life when everything looked good on the outside. Business was growing. I had friends, a home, and a calendar full of activities. But inside, I was exhausted. My thoughts were racing. My energy scattered. I felt stuck in a loop that no to-do list could fix.

One night, lying awake at 3 a.m., I knew something had to shift. Not a tweak. Not a new planner or another podcast. A real, radical pause. That’s when I signed up for a retreat.

I didn’t know then that this one decision would be the spark for a transformation I had been craving for years.

This blog post is for you if you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or creatively blocked. You crave clarity and a fresh perspective. You’ve tried quick fixes but long for real change.

In the next few minutes, I’ll walk you through the exact process I discovered. A system that retreats can activate. A system that re-centers your inner compass and helps you move forward with focus, courage, and peace.

You’ll learn why most advice about rest and productivity misses the point. What actually happens during a transformative retreat and why it works. How to prepare, choose, and fully benefit from your retreat experience. What to expect afterwards and how to integrate the lessons into your daily life.

I’ve now been on many retreats, both as a participant and facilitator. I’ve guided CEOs, creatives, teachers, and burnt out professionals through deep rest and self-discovery. I’ve seen people cry, laugh, break open, and rise. I trust this process fully.

Let’s break the myths. Let’s get practical. And let’s explore how retreating isn’t running away. It’s remembering who you are.

Let’s talk myths.

The first myth? That retreats are just a luxury.

Nope. They are a necessity. Because you can’t pour from an empty cup. You can’t think clearly when your nervous system is fried. And you can’t create your best life when you’re in survival mode.

The second myth: that transformation takes years.

Wrong again. While deep change does take time, the spark, the turning point, often happens in moments of silence. In a space away from distraction. A retreat compresses what might take months or years into a few focused days of real presence.

The third myth: that retreats are only for spiritual people.

False. You don’t need to chant, wear robes, or believe in anything woo woo. You just need to be willing to unplug, show up, and listen. The wisdom you need is already inside you. The retreat just makes space for it to rise.

So what actually happens?

I call it a reset. The following five phases show up like clockwork.

The Landing:
At first, it’s awkward. Your mind races. You feel restless. That’s okay. You’re detoxing from noise. Most people don’t realize how much stimulation they’ve been carrying until they stop.

The Drop:
Then something shifts. You cry for no reason. Or laugh. Or sleep for 14 hours. This is the nervous system letting go. Your body catches up with your soul. Insight sneaks in the cracks. You start to feel again.

The Mirror In silence, nature, or guided reflection, you see yourself clearly. What you’ve been avoiding. What you truly want. What’s holding you back. It’s not always pretty. But it’s powerful.

The Spark:
A moment of clarity. A vision. A knowing. It might come in meditation, in journaling, or while watching the sunset. But it always comes. This is the turning point.

The Return:
This is where most people get it wrong. They leave the retreat and go right back into the noise. But the key is integration. More on that in a moment.

Let me give you some tools. If you’re planning your first or next retreat, here’s what helps.

Choose a retreat that aligns with your intention, not your ego. Want rest? Don’t pick a high intensity yoga bootcamp.

Want fresh insights and deeper practice? Choose a retreat that offers personal guidance for your self-practice.

Pack light. Seriously. The less you carry, the more space you create.

Turn off your phone. Don’t just mute it. Turn it off. Leave it in a drawer.

Arrive a day early if possible to ease into the rhythm.

Bring a journal, a good pen, and an open heart.

And when you come back home?

Don’t rush.

Block a buffer day. Let the insight settle.

Keep one ritual from the retreat alive at home. Maybe it’s morning silence. Or evening journaling. Or walking without your phone.

Share your insights with someone who understands. Not everyone will get it. That’s okay.

Expect some discomfort. Growth always disrupts old patterns.

Track your energy for the next 30 days. What drains you? What lights you up? Your clarity will guide new choices.

Now, let’s troubleshoot.

What if I can’t afford a retreat? Create your own. A weekend offline. No social media. Just rest, read, walk, meditate, reflect.

What if I feel anxious when I slow down? That’s normal. It means you’re alive. Breathe through it. You’re doing deep work.

What if I go on a retreat and nothing changes? Change doesn’t always look dramatic.
Sometimes, it’s subtle. You’re more patient. You say no with ease. You stop apologizing for your truth. That’s growth.

How often should I go? Once a year is gold. Twice is powerful. Listen to your body. It will tell you when it’s time.

Let’s wrap this up.

You don’t need more tips, hacks, or hacks on hacks. You need space.

Space to remember who you are. Space to hear your inner voice. Space to stop striving and start listening.

Going on a retreat is not a luxury. It’s a reclaiming.

Of your energy. Your clarity. Your power.

You deserve that.

So if your soul has been whispering...

I need a break. I need to breathe. I need to come home to myself.

Listen.

Book the retreat. Pack the bag.

And let the transformation begin.

Peace & blessings,

Michaël Bijker

Life Awareness Immersions

In September and October 2025, I’ll be guiding the Life Awareness Immersions in Portugal.
These are 5-day journeys of inner transformation and deep practice.
We’ll move through simple days.
Breathe deeply.
Train the mind.
Rest in nature and silence.

September and October are gentle here in Portugal.
The crowds are gone.
The land feels quiet and alive.

If you feel called, you’re warmly welcome.
Click here to learn more.

Click here to learn more about the Life Awareness Immersions.

Silent retreat

If you prefer a 100% silent retreat, you can also consider a week of deep meditation and silence at the end of October in Portugal. Click here to learn more.