View from the Lefkada, Greece retreat

Recently, I announced a retreat in Lefkada, Greece in September of 2023. Within 10 days it was sold out. I chalked it up to the pent-up demand for travel and adventure post-Covid. Of course, it is a gorgeous location and frequently on people’s bucket lists, which also helped. Two weeks later, I posted a retreat in Portugal for October 2023 and this time the retreat sold out in a record 48 hours.

This immediate and overwhelming response to my future retreats made me contemplate the cultural difference I’ve experienced here in Spain.  The yoga teacher whose classes I attend here, usually announces her retreats about a month or six weeks ahead of time, certainly not years in advance.

Friends often invite us to go for a drink or meet for a meal on the day before or even the day of. We have thought of this social spontaneity as proof that Spanish people are more fun and easy-going, and we strive to say “yes” as often as possbile to what we privately consider really last-minute invitations. Shaking our heads, we laugh and say, “When in Spain…”

Last Sunday, I was about to cancel a Valentine’s yoga & brunch I was hosting because only three people had signed up and the event was just one week away. Before giving up, I sent out one last reminder and by the end of the day, the class was sold out. I had assumed I had picked the wrong weekend and that everyone was busy when in fact, they were just not ready to commit. After all, the class was a week away!

I was chuckling about this difficulty in getting a commitment beyond a few days here in Spain with one of my Mediterranean friends. She was waiting to commit to the yoga brunch until she heard definitively from her neighbor whether she was hosting her son’s birthday next Saturday or Sunday. Thinking back, I’m sure the invitations to my own kid’s birthday parties were sent out at least two months in advance. But then, I’ve always loved organizing events!

My friend’s response was a very bright, giant lightbulb moment for me. She shared, “Being able to plan two years ahead is a privilege. Many Mediterranean economies don’t have visibility for the next month. That insecurity seeps into the culture and social life.”

With all of the discussions about privilege in the last couple of years and the realization that so many of us are blind to when and how it shows up, this was startling for me to hear. How had I missed the fact that the ability to plan two or more years in advance is absoulutely an advantage that comes as a result of living with stability?

If you don’t have disposable income to put down a deposit without causing financial insecurity; or you don’t have confidence in your government, your health or the safety of your family; if you are not sure of continued employment or housing, then there is absolutely no way you can see beyond the short term. You are absolutley forced to focus on the day-to-day just to survive.

In essence, much of the world experienced this feeling of instability for the past two years due to the pandemic. Maybe those of us who grew up with relative stability got our first taste of what so many others have been struggling with their entire lives. For two years we canceled more than we planned, and we stayed close to home and thought about survival more than adventure. Our health, our jobs, our bank accounts and our futures were all question marks. As we start to emerge from the pandemic, what insights have we gained?

As a result of my friend’s candid comments, I understand now that planning is a privilege and comes as a result of having your basic needs not only met, but exceeded long-term. That recognition both humbled me and filled me with gratitude. On one hand, I was ashamed for laughing at what appeared to be a resistance to long-term planning. On the other hand, I was deeply grateful that I once again have the opportunity to hold a vision of my future beyond the next couple of weeks.

With my new insight, will I stop planning two years out? No, not likely. I’m excited to return to more adventures and travel. It’s what lights me up and makes my heart sing!

Long-term planning allows me to offer retreats in spectacular off-the-beaten path locations, during the ideal dates for each location and featuring exciting activiites. My clients get a vacation to look forward to on their calendars and time to save for the trip when they make a commitment in advance. If something changes in their lives, which is not uncommon, they also have the opportunity to roll their deposit over to another retreat, thereby limiting their risk.

What has changed for me though, is my understanding that the ability to plan so far in advance is indeed a treasure, an advantage, and one that I will not take for granted ever again. I’m also going to keep practicing my “Yes!” to last minute invitations, because the unplanned hikes, drinks and meals with friends have been some of our best times in Spain.

From the author: 

Want to add something to your own calendar? We added a second Greece Retreat (September 2023) when the first one sold-out so quickly. https://globalyogatrips.com/yoga-journey-to-lefkada-greece/

Not as much of a planner? Take advantage of some last minute openings in the Wine & Poses Retreat in Bordeaux this May (2022)! https://globalyogatrips.com/days-of-wine-poses-in-france/