A New Beginning Awaits

First of all, thank you for the overwhelming response. When I initially planned to share this, I had a very technical article in mind, packed with data, methodologies, and techniques. But when I explained the content to a friend, he had a different take: “Bhai, you should tell this as a story!” And that’s exactly what I’m about to do. But for a good story, we need a character, don’t we?

Meet Chhaya

Chhaya is 32 years old and works in IT, which means she spends most of her time in front of computers, solving problems and meeting deadlines. She lives in a busy city full of noise and bright lights. From the outside, it seems like her life is perfect—she has a good job, a nice apartment, and a few close friends. But on the inside, things aren’t as perfect as they seem.

In her personal life, Chhaya feels drained. The activities she used to enjoy, like dancing, painting, and reading, now feel like distant memories. It’s as if her energy has disappeared, and she’s stuck in a never-ending routine. But beyond the tiredness, there are deeper emotions she can’t quite shake off—feelings of grief for the dreams she had to put on hold, the hurt from friendships that faded away, and the resentment of constantly putting others’ needs before her own.

At work, Chhaya is constantly busy with projects, meetings, and deadlines. Even though she’s doing her best, it feels like it’s never enough. She’s starting to feel like a machine, just doing the same things day after day without any real excitement. She wishes her work could feel more meaningful but is too scared to try something different. There’s also the sting of setbacks and rejection—the missed promotions, the ignored ideas in meetings, and the constant pressure to prove herself. It all adds up, leaving her feeling inadequate and angry with herself for not being able to break free.

In her relationship, things are not going great either. She lives with her boyfriend, but their conversations feel more like small talk than real connections. It’s as if they are just two people sharing an apartment, not really sharing a life. The distance between them feels heavier with each passing day, and the fear of being alone lurks in the background. She wants to feel closer to him, but she doesn’t know how to make it happen. The rejection she feels when he’s too busy to talk or doesn’t understand her pain leaves a mark. The anger she holds in because she’s afraid to express her needs has built up over time.

One evening, after a long day at work, Chhaya was scrolling through Instagram when she saw a video from the Life ByDesign (LBD) retreat. In the video, people were laughing, dancing, hugging, and letting go of their worries. They looked so happy and full of life. It was like they had found something that Chhaya was missing. She felt a spark and decided to check out the LBD website.

As she read more about the retreat, she felt a bit of hope rising inside her. It seemed different from the usual wellness programs she had looked at before. It promised not just relaxation but a real, deep change. However, there was a big problem—she had ₹18,000 left in her savings account, but the retreat price was nearly double that. She hesitated for a moment but then thought about how unhappy she had been. If she didn’t do something to change her life now, then when? So, she took a deep breath, used her vacation savings, and signed up for the retreat.

It was a scary choice, but little did she know, it was exactly what she needed.

Day 1: Discovering Who You Really Are

Chhaya arrived at the retreat feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. As she joined the other participants in a big circle, she could feel her hands trembling slightly. A part of her was wondering, “What if this doesn’t work? What if I don’t belong here?” But as she listened to other people sharing why they had come, she realized she wasn’t alone. The retreat was filled with people from all walks of life—doctors, engineers, artists, teachers, business owners, bakers, and filmmakers—each with their own story, struggles, and unspoken pain. 

Everyone was there for similar reasons: to shed the emotional baggage they’d been carrying—grief from losses, resentment toward people who had hurt them, anger from the times they were let down, and fear that they would never be truly happy. This diverse mix created a unique atmosphere where vulnerability was not just accepted but encouraged. There was a powerful sense of unity in knowing that no matter what your profession was or where you came from, the pain of rejection, failure, and disappointment felt the same.

"Who Are You?" – Unmasking the Real You

The first workshop was all about figuring out who Chhaya really was, beyond all the roles she played—employee, girlfriend, daughter. The instructor led them through simple exercises like quiet reflection and group sharing. They were asked questions that made her think deeply about her entire life. 

Chhaya realized that she had spent so much time trying to be what others wanted her to be that she didn’t know who she was anymore. She always tried to be the perfect worker, the caring friend, and the understanding partner, but somewhere along the way, she had forgotten to be herself. The workshop helped her peel away these layers and start reconnecting with her true self.

By the end of the day, Chhaya felt like she had taken the first step toward truly understanding herself. The realization hit her that she didn’t have to stay stuck in the same patterns. She had the power to change. As the first day came to a close, Chhaya joined a grounding session that helped everyone relax and connect with the present moment. The instructor led them through breathing exercises to release any leftover tension. As Chhaya sat down to dinner afterward, she realized she hadn’t felt this peaceful in a long time. It was a good start.

Day 2: Exploring What Matters Most

On the second day, Chhaya woke up feeling a bit lighter, but she knew there was still a lot to uncover. Today’s focus was on looking at her life as a whole and figuring out what really mattered to her. It wasn’t just about imagining a different future but about planning how to get there.

The day began early with yoga and grounding exercises. The group practiced different poses and breathing techniques designed to wake up the body and calm the mind. Chhaya felt her muscles stretching and loosening, which helped her feel more present and awake.

"River of Life" – Understanding Your Past

In the second workshop, River of Life, Chhaya was asked to draw a picture of a river. The river represented her life, with calm waters, sharp bends, and stormy sections. She added little symbols to mark the important events, both the happy moments and the challenging ones.

As she drew, Chhaya began to notice something she hadn’t realized before: many of her choices were about playing it safe. She had often taken the “easy” road instead of following her heart because she was scared of failing or being rejected. It was as if she had been trying to avoid the rough waters instead of navigating through them. This realization was painful, but it also gave her clarity. She saw that she couldn’t change the past, but she could learn from it and choose a different path moving forward.

You can do this too:

1. Draw your life as a river, marking important events along the way. Were they smooth or rough times? How did they shape you?

2. Notice the patterns. Are you always playing it safe like Chhaya? If so, think about why that might be.

"Wheel of Life and Goal Setting" – Creating Balance

Later, Chhaya worked on the third workshop, “Wheel of Life and Goal Setting,” which was all about balancing the parts of her life. A big circle divided into different areas, like health, family, work, and fun. She rated each area from 1 to 10 based on how happy she was with it. It was clear that work had taken over most of her time and energy, leaving little room for hobbies, friendships, or even rest.

She realized that she needed to spread her energy out more evenly if she wanted to feel balanced. She decided to set some new goals, like leaving work earlier a few days a week and scheduling time for painting and dancing again.

To do this yourself:

1. Draw a circle with sections for different parts of your life. Label each section with things like health, friends, and hobbies.

2. Rate each section from 1 to 10. The lower scores show where you might need to focus more attention.

3. Set simple goals to improve the lower areas. For example, if you rated “fun” as a 3, plan to do something fun at least once a week.

"What is Fear?" – Facing the Darkness

In the evening, the group gathered for the fourth workshop, a session on fear. Chhaya learned that fear isn’t always a bad thing. It’s there to protect us, but sometimes it holds us back more than it helps. Through visualization exercises and somatic practices, she confronted some of her

 deepest fears and realized that many of them were just stories she had been telling herself. She didn’t have to let fear control her life.

Throughout the day, there were plenty of breaks with snacks and fun activities. Sometimes, they danced just for the joy of it or played simple games that brought out everyone’s playful side. It was a reminder that even serious work can be light and enjoyable.

By the end of Day 2, Chhaya had a clearer picture of what she wanted her life to look like. She wasn’t just reacting to things anymore; she was starting to take control.

 Day 3: Learning to Be Your Own Friend

The day started with another yoga session. This time, Chhaya found herself enjoying the stretches more, feeling like her body was loosening up after being tense for so long. It wasn’t just about physical exercise; it was about preparing her mind for the day’s emotional work.

 "Believing in Love" – Redefining Relationships

This fifth workshop, Believing in Love, was about love—not just romantic love, but love for life, love for oneself, and love for others. The workshop helped Chhaya examine the beliefs she had about love. She realized that she often thought love had to be earned, which made her feel unworthy when things weren’t perfect. The session included group sharing and exercises where participants practiced self-love affirmations, helping them to see love as something they deserved just for being who they were.

"Inner Critic to Inner Coach" – Transforming Self-Talk

On this day, Chhaya faced one of her toughest challenges yet—her own inner critic. This is the voice inside her head that often said things like, “You’re not good enough,” or “You always mess things up.” The sixth workshop, Inner Critic to Inner Coach, began with the instructor explaining that everyone has an inner critic—a voice that tells them they aren’t smart enough, strong enough, or good enough. Chhaya could easily recognize that voice; it was there almost every day. It told her she wasn’t interesting enough to keep her relationship exciting or that she wasn’t skilled enough to get a better job.

The workshop showed her how to change this inner voice into an inner coach—a friendly voice that cheers you on instead of putting you down. Chhaya practiced the steps:

1. Notice when the inner critic speaks. Write down what it says.

2. Challenge the negative thought. Ask, “Is this really true? What evidence do I have against it?”

3. Reframe the thought. Turn it into something positive and supportive. For example, instead of “I’m not good at this,” she learned to say, “I’m still learning, and that’s okay.”

Breathwork – Releasing Emotional Tension

The day ended with a powerful breathwork session, where Chhaya learned different breathing techniques to release pent-up emotions. The instructor guided them through rhythmic breathing exercises, and as Chhaya breathed deeply, she felt a wave of emotions come to the surface. It was like letting go of years of tension in just a few minutes. She left the session feeling lighter and more at peace.

By the end of the day, Chhaya started to see herself as her own friend rather than her own worst enemy. It was a big shift, but it felt good.

Day 4: Facing Fears and Letting Go

The day began with an early morning safari. Chhaya was hesitant at first—it was still dark outside and she wasn’t much of an outdoor person—but as the sun started to rise and the group set off, she began to feel the excitement of doing something different. It wasn’t just a safari; it was a reminder that life is an adventure, and it’s okay to step outside your comfort zone.

The Ice Bath – Building Resilience

As she headed back to the resort, she was welcomed with one of her life’s biggest challenges, the ice bath. The idea was simple: get into a tub filled with ice-cold water. It wasn’t just about enduring the cold; it was about training your mind to stay calm even when you’re uncomfortable. Chhaya took deep breaths as she stepped in, her whole body reacting to the cold. But as she focused on her breathing, the initial shock faded, and she realized she could handle it. It was a powerful lesson in resilience.

 "Crucial Conversations" – Learning to Speak Honestly

Chhaya attended the seventh workshop, Crucial Conversations, which was all about how to have difficult but important conversations. The instructor taught them a simple way to express feelings without blaming others:

- Observation: “When you didn’t call to say you’d be late…”

- Feeling: “I felt worried and hurt…”

- Need: “Because I need to know you’re okay.”

- Request: “Could you let me know next time?”

She realized that there were so many pending conversations—one with her mom, and one with her boyfriend. The thought scared her, but looking at the tools she just learned, she felt safe and confident.

Art Therapy – Expressing Emotions Through Creativity

In the afternoon, the group did art therapy, where they used colors and shapes to express their feelings. Chhaya hadn’t painted in years, but as she let herself get lost in the colors, she remembered how much she loved it. It was a fun and freeing experience that allowed her to express things that were hard to put into words.

Total Truth Process – Letting It All Out

The day ended with the final workshop, Total Truth Process. It peeled her off in layers she never imagined. She cried, she cried, and she cried some more. She had never experienced emotions so clearly. And as the process completed, she found herself with a big smile and she hugged every single person in the room as if they were her own family. It was as if she had let go of a heavy weight she didn’t even know she was carrying.

 Day 5: Bringing It All Together

The last day was about taking everything Chhaya had learned and making a plan to use it in her daily life. It wasn’t just about feeling good at the retreat—it was about finding ways to keep that feeling going.

Laughter Yoga – Rediscovering Joy

The day started with Laughter Yoga, where they did silly exercises and laughed on purpose. At first, Chhaya felt awkward, but then the laughter became real, and she found herself genuinely enjoying it. It was a reminder that sometimes, letting yourself be silly and laugh can be the best medicine. It lifted her mood and made everything feel lighter.

Closing Ceremony – Making a Promise to Herself

Before the retreat came to an end, everyone gathered for a final ceremony. Each person shared what they had learned and made promises to themselves for the future. When it was Chhaya’s turn, she took a deep breath and spoke honestly. She promised to:

- Keep checking in with herself every day, even if just for a few minutes.

- Make time for things she loved, like dancing and painting.

- Speak up when something was bothering her, instead of keeping it inside.

As the ceremony ended, there was a feeling of both closure and new beginnings. Chhaya knew that she wasn’t going back to her old life in the same way. She was going back stronger, braver, and more in touch with who she really was.

Chhaya’s Transformation – A Journey Shared by Many

Chhaya’s experience wasn’t unique. She wasn’t the only one who came to the Life ByDesign Retreat feeling lost and overwhelmed. More than 200 people have joined the retreat with similar struggles, and each one has found something valuable—whether it was a new way of looking at life, a deeper connection to themselves, or the courage to make important changes. The retreat is not just about doing exercises; it’s about finding joy again, facing fears, and discovering what truly matters.

The truth is, change doesn’t happen all at once. It happens little by little, step by step. And that’s what this retreat is all about—helping people like Chhaya take those steps toward a happier, more meaningful life.

What Other People Have Said

"This retreat was definitely an eye opener for me. I thought that I had gotten over quite a few things as I was already working on myself but there was a lot more self work that had to be done. So I am glad I took this step. It actually opened and closed many doors and I would not want to change anything. No regrets at all." - Gauri

"I came to for the retreat with out any expectations. I saw one reel and decided to go forward . I didn't know about team RAY . Nor I wanted to at that point as I don't go in with pre-assumptions. Man oh man was I in for a treat 😍. Took me few days to be completely accept the whole concept and thinking but ones I did there was no going backwards . When Ronit said in the Reel " We laugh together , we play together , we cry together' didn't know that could happen and thats what we did. The Experience was just magical. Didn't know you could feel such deep love for someone in such a short span and care for some this deeply. You know we hear all the coaches online and after some time you just feel they are words. But here you get to live that. It was the major point for me to call this magical." - Sumy

Hear from people here:

https://youtu.be/x5WQBSIa-6U?si=X2MCYyo7ynWjwohmhttps://youtu.be/B8QgABZnRo4?si=Ft57Tu4VYdLSjaLp

A New Beginning Awaits

Chhaya’s story is just one of many, and yours could be next. The Life ByDesign Retreat isn’t about escaping life for five days—it’s about creating a life that feels worth living every single day. It’s about making small but meaningful changes that add up to something big.

So, if you’ve ever felt stuck, tired, or like you’re just going through the motions, remember that you have the power to change your story. You don’t have to wait for the “right time” because the right time is now. Just like Chhaya, you can take the first step toward a life filled with more joy, more laughter, and more of what matters most.

We are LBD Retreat. We are home. Come home. Request your invite here: www.lifebydesign.in

The journey to a better you starts with a single decision. Are you ready to take it?