I’d put a massage chair in the dark

Many people link a dark retreat with big expectations, often stemming from stories of inner change or deep insights. But when you actually find yourself in a cabin without light, reality tends to be much simpler. Today’s story isn’t about great spiritual revelations, but an honest description of what it’s really like to switch off your phone, lose track of time and try living completely offline for a few days.

No bogeymen, just calm

A lot of you are afraid of the dark because you’ve heard stories about bogeymen supposedly lurking in the cabins. I’d like to put those fears to rest – there are no bogeymen in there. On the contrary, for me the whole experience was more about calm and the occasional boredom you have to deal with. A great help for me was the MP3 player with audiobooks that you gave me, which helped me cope better with the time in the dark.

Expectations versus reality

Beforehand I imagined that inside I’d experience some kind of reset for my head, as if I’d flicked a switch. That didn’t quite happen, and the hallucinations I was curious about didn’t turn up either, but I still consider this offline detox worthwhile. Getting away from the internet for three nights and being alone with yourself is simply a nice experience.

What made my stay more pleasant

I really have to single out the food, because the garlic soup was absolutely excellent. I really appreciate that you think of vegetarians, even though I eat meat myself. Another thing I was pleased about is the underfloor heating in the cabins. Thanks to it, it’s nice and cosy inside even in winter and you don’t have to worry about being cold.

A few ideas for improvement

When you ask me what could be improved, a massage chair came to mind. Since the cabin only has a bed or a mat, where you sit on the floor leaning against the wall, a massage chair would make the stay even more of a wellness experience. I’d known about darkness therapy for several years, but only now was the right time to try it. Next time I might try a retreat for two, because I think it could be more interesting than being completely on my own.