The pressure of your first journey

The pressure of your first journey

You have thought about doing this for a long time, you have done research, you have watched the documentaries, and maybe you have heard how a friend has had an incredible experience with teacher plants.

Then you found A New Day Retreats and knew that this was the right place for you, you liked the way we approach teacher plants and personal growth, you felt safe in our communication and you booked a retreat. You have travelled far, maybe from another country or even continent, you have spent a lot of money and now you find yourself in a bed, wearing a blind fold and noise cancelling headphones and you are in a new place with a facilitator you have never met in person before, waiting for the effects to kick in. You are nervous, you have no idea how you will react. You have high hopes for this journey, you try to not have any expectations, but the amazing stories you have heard still swirl around in your head. There is a lot of pressure on this one experience, and you have done your best to prepare for it using the informational letters you were sent when you booked your retreat, but now you find yourself wondering what on earth you are doing here. The doubts creep up, you become uncertain that this was the right thing to do.

This happens a lot and is probably quite a healthy response, all things considered. Being aware that this might happen can help you prepare for it better, so that you can lean into your journey more easily.

Depending on where you are at on your life journey, you might feel this to a greater or lesser extent. If you have a tendency to talk very harshly to yourself, then that voice might be very loud as you lie there, or it might be a nagging whisper at the back of your head. Try to accept this voice for what it is: a part of you that wishes to keep you safe from harm. You are in unknown territory here, you might have zero experience with altered states of consciousness and you might not have reached out for support on your mental health journey before.

This is a huge and very brave step you are taking, you are showing up for yourself and that is an amazing thing to do. So try to remember that too, as the voice in your mind is casting doubt on your reasons for being here.

One way that you can also take the pressure off, if this is financially available to you, is to book two ceremonies instead of just the one, with a day in the middle without a session to restore and recharge. Then there is a lot less pressure on that first journey, which makes it easier to approach it with less trepidation. You can get acquainted with how you react to the dose and then when the second session comes, you can trust yourself more and you know your facilitator better, and leaning into the journey will be a completely different experience.

But please do be aware that this initial response of worry and insecurity happens with almost all of our guests on their first journey, and it is a good thing for you, really, even though it can be distracting. Try to let those feelings of anxiety and being unsure of the situation come and allow them as part of your journey, accept that they are there because you are trying to keep yourself safe. And then you can remind yourself that you ARE safe with your facilitator in this situation.

We are here to support you through this experience and we wish nothing more than for you to feel and be safe under our care. Your physical and emotional safety is our top priority throughout your journey, and we aim to provide a totally safe space where you can be who you are and feel what you need to feel throughout your journey.

Thank you for your trust in A New Day Retreats! It means a lot to us.