Why I Don’t Believe in Group Retreats and Choose One-on-One Growth Instead

From my experience, I’ve found that one-on-one sessions with my life teacher has been far more impactful than any group womanhood retreat could be. While group retreats can offer a sense of community and shared experience, they often feel too broad and impersonal for the kind of deep, meaningful growth I’m seeking.

In a one-on-one setting, I’ve been able to dive into the nuances of my life in a way that simply isn’t possible in a group. The focused attention and personalised guidance allow me to explore my thoughts, emotions, and goals with a level of depth and honesty that I believe is crucial for my life transformations. There’s no need to conform to group norms or hold back for fear of judgment—it’s just me, my thoughts, and someone who understands my journey.

Authentic Change Starts Within

What I’ve also come to realise is that authentic change doesn’t happen in group retreats—it starts within the individual. It’s in those quiet moments of reflection and conversation that I’ve found the clarity and strength to make changes in my life. Once those changes are deeply rooted in who I am, they naturally begin to influence how I interact with the world around me. I don’t believe that real, lasting transformation can come from a collective experience alone. It has to be personal, intentional, and deeply internalised before it can be shared with others or reflected in society.

The Illusion of Comparison in Group Retreats

Group retreats can also create a false sense of reality. Being surrounded by others’ stories and struggles might lead you to compare your life in a way that’s not entirely healthy. You might leave feeling that your life isn’t so bad after all because someone else’s situation seems worse, or conversely, you might feel even more miserable, thinking others have it so much better. But these comparisons are often shallow, lacking a deep understanding of the full context of someone else’s life—their background, their daily struggles, and the realities they face when they return home.

Without this context, it’s easy to fall into the trap of making judgments about your own life that aren’t really grounded in truth.

The Real Quality of One-on-One Time

For me, one-on-one time is a precious opportunity to focus on what truly matters, without the distractions or diluted impact that can come with a group setting. It’s about taking the time to really know myself, to work through my challenges, and to grow in a way that’s authentic to who I am. And when that growth happens, it’s not just for my benefit—it’s something I carry with me into my relationships, my family, and my community.

So, while group retreats have their place, I’ve found that the real magic happens when I’m alone with my thoughts, guided by someone who understands me. That’s where the real, lasting changes are made—one step at a time, one conversation at a time. And in the end, those personal changes ripple out, shaping the way I connect with others and contribute to the world around me.

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