The Retreat That Saved Me (And Why I Think Every Mom Needs One)

🤍 I Was Not Okay

About five years ago, my kids were almost 2 and almost 5.

And I was not okay.

I took a job back in my old line of work — luxury villa rentals. A job I loved. A job I was good at. A job I absolutely knew better than to take at that point in my life.

I had already walked away from a similar role years before — before kids — because of the stress. But then... you know that one day every 6 months during motherhood where you feel like:

👉 maybe I can do it all 👉 maybe I am superwoman

Yeah. That day got me.

💔 The Part Where It All Fell Apart

So I took the job. And it almost broke me.

I was overwhelmed, overstimulated, trying to be everything for everyone, and drowning in perfectionism. And to keep up? I went back on my no-no meds. Adderall. Klonopin. Trying to hold it all together.

We had money. But I was disappearing.

Like...

👉 my family had me physically 👉 but not really

And the mom guilt? Crushing.

💥 The Breaking Point

We went on a trip with friends. And I overdid everything. Drinking. Meds. Emotions.

And I came home without those friendships.

So when I say I was broken, I mean:

👉 steaming hot mess 👉 skinny 👉 sad 👉 overwhelmed 👉 completely unraveling

🚨 This Was Not a "Cute Wellness Moment"

This was not "I deserve a spa weekend."

This was emergency intervention.

I went online and searched for the most affordable, closest, most realistic retreat I could find. Because this wasn't luxury. This was survival.

🚗 I Left Crying

A few days later, I got in my car. Alone. Crying. And drove to this retreat.

I had always imagined flying somewhere exotic, doing yoga at sunrise, becoming a better person in linen pants.

This was not that.

This was an ambulance ride to the ER — for my nervous system.

🌿 What Actually Happened

And somehow, in 4 days, everything changed.

I reset my nervous system, learned tools I still use (breathwork, meditation, grounding), had space to think clearly for the first time in forever, and remembered who I was.

And most importantly? I got the clarity and confidence to do what I had to do.

For me, that meant quitting that job. For someone else? It might mean staying but differently, setting boundaries, or finally breathing again.

🤍 I Came Home Different

Not perfect. Not magically healed. But lighter, clearer, calmer, more present.

I became a better mom. Because I was finally... back.

🌿 Why I Believe in Retreats Now

I've been through a lot in my life. And looking back, there are so many moments where a retreat could have helped me — after losing my mom, during overwhelming seasons, when I felt completely disconnected from myself.

The pain doesn't go away. But learning how to hold it? That changes everything.

🤍 If You're In It Right Now

If you are overwhelmed, burned out, anxious, barely holding it together, or just need a break that actually helps — go. Go on the retreat.

Not because it's trendy. Not because it's aesthetic. But because it might actually change something for you.

💰 The Best Investment I've Ever Made

Out of everything I've spent money on in my life, this was the best investment I've ever made in myself. And I don't say that lightly.

🤍 Final Thought

You don't need to fall apart to deserve help.

But if you already are? You're not alone.

And sometimes... stepping away is the thing that brings you back.

🌿 If You're Considering a Retreat… Start Here

I'm not going to give you some generic "top 10 wellness retreats" list. Because that's not how this works.

You don't pick a retreat based on aesthetics. You pick it based on where you are mentally, what you're going through, and what you actually need.

So here are some options depending on what kind of "life situation" you're currently in:

💔 If You're Grieving Something (or Someone)

👉 4-Day Grief & Loss: Finding a Way Forward

If you've lost someone… or something… or a version of yourself… this one matters.

I didn't do a grief retreat after my mom passed — and looking back, I really wish I had. Not because it would've taken the pain away… but because it would've helped me carry it differently.

🧠 If Your Nervous System Is Fried (aka… most moms)

Your nervous system needs resetting. Learn more about [nervous system regulation for moms](https://www.unhingedmother.com/blog/why-moms-feel-overwhelmed).

👉 4-Day Nervous System Reset – Costa Rica

This is the closest thing to what I needed when I went. If you feel constantly overwhelmed, on edge, overstimulated, or exhausted but can't relax — this is your category.

🌿 If You Want Something Gentle (Not Intense, Not Overwhelming)

👉 4-Day Yin & Restorative Yoga Retreat – Florida

This is for when you're tired, but not completely broken, and just need to breathe. Soft reset energy.

🧘‍♀️ If You Want Deep Healing (But Still Private + Safe)

👉 5-Day Private Mental Health Healing Retreat – Sarasota

Less group. More one-on-one. Focused, supported, intentional.

🔥 If You Need a Full Life Reset

👉 5-Day "Fix Your Sh*t" Radical Reset – California

Name says it all. If you're thinking "something has to change and I don't even know where to start" — start here.

✨ If You Want Something Transformational (But Still Grounded)

👉 4-Day Transformational Retreat – Texas

👉 4-Day Transformational Retreat – Park City, Utah

Good middle ground between healing and growth. Not too intense, not too surface level.

🌵 If You Just Need to Get Away (Fast)

👉 3-Day Desert Recharge Retreat – California

Short. Simple. Effective. Sometimes you don't need a full breakdown + rebuild. You just need space, quiet, and perspective.

🌊 If You're Burned Out to Your Core

[👉 6-Day Burnout Recovery Retreat – Santa Barbara

If you're looking for more stress relief strategies for moms, check out our complete guide to managing overwhelm.](https://bookretreats.com/r/6-day-total-health-burnout-recovery-retreat-santa-barbara-ca?a=brenadpvtaymnkpwhfwn)

For deep exhaustion, emotional burnout, running on empty. Longer. Slower. More restorative.

🌿 If You Want a Balanced "Tune-Up"

👉 3-Day Mind-Body-Spirit Reset – California

Not too deep. Not too surface. Just recalibration, clarity, and reset.

🤍 One More Thing (Important)

You don't need the "perfect" retreat. You don't need the most expensive one. You don't need to fly across the world.

You just need to go.

Because I promise you this: that one decision could change everything.

Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book — at no extra cost to you. I only share things I genuinely believe in.

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Related Articles:

1. Motherhood Identity Loss 2. Motherhood Stress Relief Toolkit 3. Why Moms Feel Overwhelmed 4. Mom Survival Kit for Burnout