Why I Am Going to a Muslim Country For An Artistic Retreat
Why You Should Come With Me
I don’t know when was the last time, I felt truly relaxed. For the past few months, I have been all over the place. At first, there was a major career-related issue that pushed down the ‘anxiety’ road so much so that it became difficult just to breathe.
Even after resolving that issue, I don’t think I felt ‘normal.’ In fact, anxiety became my new normal. Every time, something good was about to happen, my first reaction was ‘FEAR.’
Somehow, I began to think that there must be some hidden evil if something good was happening to me. I couldn’t write. I couldn’t read. To avoid these sabotaging thoughts, I began to distract myself through social media so much so that I felt my brain had fried and I couldn’t seem to focus on my work with ‘joy’ which was my second nature.
I tried. I tried a lot to let go of these thoughts, fear, and anxious feelings that seemed to be stuck in my throat. I tried to avoid it. I tried to stay positive. I made a gratitude list. I compared myself with other people just to remind myself how lucky I was.
But the harder I tried, the more anxious I became. Not just that, I started to wonder ‘What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just be happy?’
After a lot of analysis, I realized the only thing wrong with me was my impatience in trying to make everything right. To force myself into the ‘happy zone.’
I realized I needed a break. A break from everything, everyone and to live in a corner of the world where no one even knows my name. I just wanted to BE for a while. I wanted to experience something good, something that can help me to naturally come back to myself. And, how I would die at the moment to be close to nature. To immerse myself in the raw beauty of mountains and ocean.
So, I decided to travel for four days to Oman, a country in the Middle East to join an artistic retreat.
Oman is a beautiful country that is quite safe for female travelers. But I didn’t want just beauty, I wanted an experience. Thus, instead of going as a tourist, I am going as an artist to see the parts of Oman that are hidden from the eyes of the world and sit in these majestic spots for:
a) Painting
b) Horse Riding
c) Meeting with the locals, sitting with them, and understanding their culture
d) Meditating somewhere on the cliff of a strange mountain under the open sky with air so fresh that it hugs my liver
Here are some pictures to show you what this retreat is going to look like:
Why You Should Join Me:
If you feel overwhelmed, burned out, or just not in alignment with your soul, this retreat is for you.
It’s not a retreat designed by some ‘profit-making company.’ It was designed by a Hong Kong-based artist, Angelina Li. Before joining the retreat, I got on a call with her and if love at first is a thing, that’s what happened to me when I heard her talk about,
- Cultural art
- Meditation
- Painting and sculpturing
- Importance of joy and soulful experiences
- Building a life beyond your 9–5
- Finding time for hobbies and creative projects to enrich your soul
After talking to her, I knew I had to meet her, spend time with her, and learn from her how to be so open with my heart.
Thus, the decision to go on this 4-day retreat which is happening from the 4th of February to the 7th of February. If you want, you can join a little early. The dates are 31st January to 7th February.
If you want to take a break, an artistic break for your soul, come join us on this beautiful retreat to Oman, and let’s explore and experience the parts of ourselves that died in the process of keeping up with the world.
I hope to see you there.
For more information, you can contact on this number — +85298068817
PS: This is not a big group retreat. The number of people is limited so to make the experience intimate and more fulfilling. So, if you want to join, please hurry.
PPS: No, this is not a promotional article. I am excited to join it so I would want you to join as well.
For more, you can visit their Instagram profile: The Living Art Studio.
