Yes, and Here’s How to Do It with Confidence!
Most people, when they think about wellness retreat leaders bring someone to mind who is a natural extrovert—someone bursting with energy, who can effortlessly command the attention of a group of people, lead lively discussions, and easily instigate and manage social interactions. Most people assume that retreat leadership requires constant social engagement, high visibility, and endless enthusiasm for productive and transformational interaction.
Extroverts can indeed create an engaging and dynamic atmosphere for retreat guests. Their ability to motivate and uplift others can inspire guests to be open to new experiences. Extroverts often inject a sense of vitality into a wellness retreat, which can be particularly beneficial during group activities. They generally are comfortable leading group conversations, initiating activities, and encouraging participation, which can help establish a sense of community among retreat attendees. Extroverts are great public speakers and enjoy being at the centre of attention, which allows them to engage confidently with guests. When things do not go according to plan, extroverted retreat leaders are often able to think on their feet, adjust the schedule, or come up with creative solutions to keep the momentum going.
Sigh.
I feel overwhelmed just thinking about all these admirable qualities, so foreign to my nature.
My dream was to run retreats on my little farm here in the south of France, to help people who were going through major life changes cope with the fallout. I have a fair amount of personal experience coping with life changes and transitions, suitable qualifications and a decent amount of knowledge to be able to make a success of such a project.
I’m not an extrovert, though, I have none of the abilities that make it so easy and natural for extroverts to lead wellness retreats. So when I started hosting my retreats, I figured I would need to behave like an extrovert if I am going to be a successful retreat leader.
I did the very best I could, but I couldn’t keep it up. At the end of my first season, I had burned myself out completely.
I wasn’t ready to give up, so I went back to the drawing board.
Many introverts shy away from the idea of running retreats, thinking it’s a role that doesn’t suit their nature. Opting out was not an option for me, so I decided to restructure my retreats to make full use of the unique qualities that, as an introvert, I do have. If you are an introvert as well, you too can do this, by:
- Making Reflection the Core Element of Your Wellness Retreats
As you know, we recharge our batteries by spending time on our own. I created a retreat program that incorporates enough recuperation time, on my own. I learned, while battling my way through life changes, how useful making time to reflect, without interruptions or distractions, can be—especially if it involves spending time in nature, or going for a walk, for example. Or finding a quiet spot to journal – writing down my thoughts often bought useful insights and better understanding. To help my guests benefit from time to reflect in nature, I offer them the opportunity to walk sections of the Camino de Santiago. Those solitary stretches of walking on their own can be incredibly transformative for my guests. As introverted retreat leaders, we are perfectly suited to guide people into that peaceful, reflective and introspective headspace.
2. Creating Intimate, Meaningful Connections
Introverts tend to prefer deeper, one-on-one connections over large group interactions. As an introvert, you probably cringe at the thought of those huge, noisy group retreats where small talk reigns supreme and everyone talks at the same time. What we are good at, is one-on-one connections, it’s one of our superpowers. That’s why small group retreats are more suitable for us. I limit my groups to 2, 3 or a maximum of 4 guests. Forget about skimming the surface. We dive right into the life-changing stuff and connect in ways that feel meaningful and fulfilling for all of us (and much less exhausting to me!).
Introverts excel at listening. Actively and intently. It’s what helps people feel genuinely seen and heard, which is exactly what most people are looking for in a retreat. So, when you create that safe, supportive space, you’re not just hosting a retreat—you’re making the kind of connection that leaves a lasting impact. This ability to facilitate a safe and supportive environment makes us uniquely suited to hosting retreats.
3. Thoughtfully Preparing and Structuring Your Retreats
Introverts often thrive in environments where we can use our innate creativity to prepare everything in advance. Leading a retreat provides an opportunity to structure the event in a way that best aligns with and makes the best use of our personal strengths. Many introverted retreat leaders enjoy creating the retreat schedule and organising sessions to include a variety of solo activities, which give participants a chance to rest and fully recharge their batteries. Immersive experiences is often exactly what attendees are looking for when they sign up for a retreat, and introverts excel at crafting such meaningful programs. This sort of structure not only supports our need for downtime but also benefits the guests, who are often looking for respite from the demands of everyday life.
4. Setting Boundaries and Making Time for Self-Care
Managing your energy input and output as an introverted retreat leader can be difficult Even in a quiet, reflective setting, the constant interaction can lead to overstimulation if you’re not careful. This challenge can be overcome by implementing effective boundaries—an approach I especially emphasise in my “Building Resilience – a Roadmap from Burnout to Breakthrough during a Life Transition” online course.
Creating a safe and supportive space is all very well, but being at your guests’ disposal 24/7 is not viable. Discussing guests’ difficulties during every interaction (meal times, coffee breaks, while driving somewhere…) is exhausting and counterproductive. These discussions need to be limited to a specific time frame, each session with a clear beginning and end. The most effective way to do this is to offer guests optional coaching sessions, payable separately. It’s also crucial to incorporate personal self-care practices throughout our retreats – whether it’s phoning a supportive friend, 15 minutes of journaling, or simply withdrawing with a cup of coffee and a good book – to avoid depleting your energy stores.
5. Avoiding ‘Introvert Hangovers’ and Knowing How to Recover
One aspect of being an introvert retreat leader that shouldn’t be overlooked is the potential for experiencing a severe “introvert hangover” after a retreat – that sense of mental exhaustion that creeps up on us after prolonged and intense social interaction. We end up feeling completely drained from holding space for others.
To counteract this, we have to plan for post-retreat recovery time. No hosting two retreats back-to-back. Intentionally scheduling downtime between retreats is essential for replenishing our energy stores and getting ready for the next retreat.
6. Using Your Unique Approach to Group Facilitation
One misconception is that introverts might struggle with group facilitation. This is sometimes, but not always, true. We can often bring a thoughtful and inclusive approach to (small) group dynamics. Rather than dominating conversations or steering discussions too enthusiastically, we can use our listening skills to ensure all voices are heard. We can steer discussions in ways that respect each individual guest’s contribution. Our ability to sustain inclusive dialogue allows our guests to feel safe and supported, knowing they will be given time and opportunity to express themselves fully.
7. Leading by Example: Your Calm and Centered Presence
Rather than feeling pressured to be the loudest and most dynamic person in the room, we can lead by example—showing our guests how restorative stillness and solitude can be. This creates a calm environment where guests feel comfortable exploring their own thoughts and emotions without the distractions of overly stimulating surroundings.
By leading calmly and confidently, you’re setting the tone for your entire retreat. Guests feel it, and they settle down faster, knowing that they are in good hands. Just by being your calm, centred self, you’re giving them permission to slow down and do the same. It’s introvert retreat leadership at its finest!
Now that I’m clear about where my strengths (and weaknesses!) lie as an introverted wellness retreat leader, hosting retreats has finally become the purposeful, meaningful and fulfilling experience that I knew it could be. Discovering that I need downtime before, during and after retreats (because I’m an introvert and not because there is something wrong with me) to be able to be able to give my best during a retreat, has been an eye-opener.
If you’re ready to embrace the beauty of leading retreats in a way that aligns with your introverted nature, why not start by joining one yourself? My Next Chapter Camino de Santiago Walking Retreats in the southwest of France are designed with exactly this kind of reflective, peaceful experience in mind—giving you the opportunity to discover what it means to lead from a place of quiet strength.