Let’s just be honest…Right now, the world feels shaky.
There’s political drama, financial uncertainty, and a never-ending scroll of news stories about war, conflict, and unrest around the globe. People are feeling edgy. Cautious. Pulled inward.
And if you’re a retreat leader, you may have already felt the ripple effects of all this:
✔ fewer people saying “yes” to your retreat,
✔ more folks ghosting after they inquire,
✔ and a growing sense of, “Maybe this just isn’t the right time.”
I want you to know something:
You’re not imagining it. You’re also not alone.
The emotional and economic climate of 2025 is affecting a lot of transformational leaders, coaches, and healers who rely on retreats as a big part of their income—and their mission.
But here’s the good news:
Retreats aren’t going away. And you absolutely can fill your retreat—even in uncertain times.
It just requires a shift in strategy, a deeper emotional connection with your people, and a whole lot of leadership on your part.
This post will walk you through exactly what to do—and what not to do—so you can keep serving powerfully and sustainably no matter what’s happening in the world.
Let’s dive in…
Why Retreats Still Matter—Maybe More Than Ever
When people are afraid, confused, or burned out, they start looking for deeper meaning.
They crave clarity, connection, and peace.
They want to unplug from the chaos and remember who they are.
They need to feel something other than anxiety, rage, or numbness.
That’s where you come in.
Retreats aren’t just a vacation.
They’re a sacred pause. A reset.
A nervous system recalibration.
They help people come home to themselves when the outside world doesn’t make sense.
And the truth is, people are still buying—but they’re doing so more intentionally.
They’re asking:
– “Is this really worth it?”
– “Do I trust this person with my money and time?”
– “Will I actually get the transformation I need?”
So if you want to keep filling your retreats, you’ll need to step up and show them:
YES. This is worth it.
YES, I can hold space for you.
And YES, your transformation is not only possible—it’s needed now more than ever.
The 4 Biggest Mistakes Retreat Leaders Are Making Right Now
So let’s take a moment to lovingly (and directly) call out a few of the missteps I’m seeing from retreat leaders right now:
❌ 1. Going Quiet
I get it—you’re nervous. If inquiries have slowed down, it’s tempting to pull back and wait for things to “settle down.”
But here’s the deal: silence doesn’t sell retreats.
When fear is high, your voice and presence matter even more. Show up. Keep marketing. Stay visible.
❌ 2. Lowering Your Prices in a Panic
This is a big one. And it comes from a loving heart that wants to help—but it’s actually hurting your business.
Dropping your prices out of fear sends the message that your retreat might not be worth the original value.
Instead of undercharging, look at how you can add value, create safety, or support people with flexible payment plans.
❌ 3. Playing it Safe with Your Messaging
If your emails, posts, or sales pages sound like:
“Hey, I’m doing this thing. Here’s a pretty view. You should come,” —then no wonder people aren’t signing up.
You’re not competing with other retreats. You’re competing with fear, uncertainty, and binging on Netflix.
Your messaging has to cut through the noise, touch their heart, and offer them something real: relief, clarity, transformation, healing, power.
❌ 4. Selling the Location Instead of the Liberation
Yes, Bali is gorgeous. Yes, Costa Rica is magical. But people don’t sign up for a retreat just because of the view.
They say yes because of what that trip will give them internally.
So stop leading with the hammock and start leading with the healing.
Sheri’s bottom line…
If you take nothing else from this message from me today, take this: Your people will only feel confident investing if YOU are confident holding the space.
When the world feels shaky, YOU have to be the steady one.
That doesn’t mean pretending you’re not human. It means standing firm in your knowing: “This work matters. I was called to lead. And I trust that the right people will come.”
That kind of conviction is magnetic.
It calms nervous systems.
It builds trust.
And it reminds your people that yes, transformation is still possible—even now.
🌿 Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone, and You’re Not Powerless
Retreat leader, I see you. 👀
Navigating travel fears, hesitant buyers, and economic uncertainty is a lot. But please don’t let the noise of the world dim your light.
Now is not the time to shrink. It’s the time to serve more powerfully than ever.
The world doesn’t need fewer retreats—it needs more spaces for healing, connection, clarity, and growth. The spaces you create.
So take a breath.
Reground in your mission.
Recommit to your message.
And keep showing up.
Because the people who are meant to walk with you?
They’re out there.
And they’re waiting for YOUR invitation.
And if YOU would love to learn how to be that leader I’d like to invite you to our upcoming Croatia Cruise Mastermind, August 22-29th!
Imagine a week happening on a private yacht, sailing through the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea, with the sun on your face, a warm breeze in your hair, and a small, powerful group of entrepreneurs by your side. And trust me, this isn’t just another retreat. It’s a true life and business reset.
What You’ll Walk Away With:
- Fresh clarity on your next business moves – and the time and space to finally think big again.
- Powerful connections with heart-based, 6- and 7-figure entrepreneurs who “get” you – and just might become your next JV partners or lifelong biz besties.
- Feedback and insight on your biggest challenges, from a small mastermind group that’s been hand-picked for depth, warmth, and experience.
- Renewed creativity and purpose that only comes from stepping out of the grind and into something completely extraordinary.
PS: This isn’t a cruise ship – it’s a 161-foot private yacht with just 18 beautiful staterooms. You’ll wake up each day to gourmet breakfasts, sun-drenched decks, and panoramic views of the Croatian coastline.
There’s space to stretch out and relax, spots to have quiet 1:1 conversations or journal, and group areas where we’ll gather for our daily mastermind sessions. You’ll feel supported, inspired, and fully taken care of every step of the way.
This is a chance to step into a new chapter of your business – surrounded by people who will challenge you, celebrate you, and support you long after we dock.
Sheri Rosenthal is the founder and chief retreat strategist at Wanderlust Entrepreneur®, where she’s trained and empowered over 20,000 retreat leaders to design, price, promote, and monetize transformational retreats that leave a lasting impact, while traveling the world and earning a profit to be proud of through her signature course, The Retreat Blueprint Program,
She’s also the CEO of Journeys of the Spirit®, a boutique agency that has planned and managed over 1000 retreats worldwide since 2003.
With over two decades of experience in the retreat industry, She’s had the honor of working with top names, including don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements, and guiding coaches and healers to run retreats that change lives.
