WOW. I’m not sure where to begin. This has been the most beautifully challenging experience of my life. This retreat tested me in ways I didn’t even know existed. From waking up before the sun does, limiting my food intake (which was honestly a challenge given how amazing the food was — talk about self control), not looking at nature, no phone, taking cold showers, no socialization, no sugar, dedicating every single second to being in the now (trying my best to do this at least). It’s so interesting because at the end of day 10, I bursted into tears. I could not stop crying because I was so proud of myself, despite every negative thought that had entered my mind trying to convince me not to continue. I did. The interesting part is that day 10 is not even the final day and I was crying because « I did it ». I had to remind myself that it wasn’t over yet but the tears persisted. At the end of the fourth and final hour, there were no tears, because although it was officially « over » now, none of it felt over. It felt like everything had just now begun.