@awwatifhaida

It has taken me a few days to understand how to put this experience into words, because calling it simply a “retreat” doesn’t feel enough.
When I arrived, I thought I knew why I was there. I wanted to step outside my comfort zone, disconnect from my normal life and give myself some space to think. What I didn’t expect was how much this experience would make me look at myself, my life, everything I have achieved, and most importantly, what I actually want next.

I’m someone who is always moving. Working, achieving, planning the next goal, taking responsibility and being strong for everyone around me. Slowing down, letting go of control and allowing myself to be vulnerable doesn’t come naturally to me.

And somehow, Nico and Chiara created a space where I could do exactly that.
But what made this experience so special wasn’t only the sessions. It was everything around them.

The morning motivation that set the energy for the day. The yoga class that brought us back into the moment. Swimming together. The conversations that started during a session and continued for hours afterwards because none of us wanted them to end.

And sometimes it was something as simple as Nico giving you a hug in the morning. Such a small gesture, but in that environment even the smallest things felt meaningful.

Then there was the karaoke night… absolutely unforgettable. 😂❤️ Singing, dancing, laughing and seeing everyone completely let go is one of those memories that will instantly make me smile whenever I think about this week.
And the people… honestly, the people were one of the greatest gifts of this experience.

We arrived as complete strangers, but within hours something shifted. The walls came down, conversations became real, and somehow it felt like we had known each other for years.

Every person I met made me think about something differently. Hearing their stories, their fears, their ambitions and their perspectives made me question things about myself even more. Some of the deepest connections actually happened after the sessions — sitting together around the villa, talking about what had come up, continuing conversations, laughing, sharing stories or simply being there for each other.

The villa became our little world.
For those few days, everything outside almost disappeared. We created our own routines, our own jokes, our own moments and this strange little family made up of people who had barely known each other hours before.

One of the moments closest to my heart was cooking a Moroccan dinner for everyone.
I’m a chef, so cooking is normally my work, my responsibility and a huge part of my identity. But that evening felt completely different. I wasn’t cooking as a Head Chef. I was simply sharing a piece of myself, my culture and my story with people I had grown genuinely close to.
Seeing everyone around the same table, eating, laughing and sharing that moment together meant far more to me than I expected.
And I think that perfectly represents what Nico and Chiara created.

Moments that might look simple from the outside but meant something much deeper when you were there.
I arrived thinking I needed answers.
I left realising that maybe I needed better questions.

I came home with new friendships, new perspectives, a completely different energy and this very strong feeling that something inside me has shifted.

Nico and Chiara, thank you for your energy, honesty and care. Thank you for creating a place where it felt safe to be vulnerable, to question ourselves, to laugh at ourselves and simply be ourselves.

And thank you for bringing together this incredible group of human beings. I genuinely believe that meeting them was part of the experience I needed.
I still don’t know exactly where everything I discovered during this week will take me.
But for once, I don’t need to know. I’m just excited to find out.
Some trips you remember because of where you went.

This one I’ll remember because of the people I met, the connections we created, the version of myself that arrived… and the version of myself that came home. ❤️ See you soon in Tulum 🤣🤣🤣