"I Didn’t Know Healing Could Feel Like This." | Queer Retreats

Christopher McDonnell shares his experience attending an LGBTQ+ wellness experience by Queer Retreats.

Christopher, a former nurse, made a life-changing decision at the age of 32 to leave his successful career in London and move to Barcelona in 2015. He had no concrete plans except for a deep-seated desire to live an authentic life. He is now the Director of Privacy & Compliance at an international company, where he also spearheads the global Pride Employee Resource Group.

As a first-time attendee at a Queer Retreats experience, Chris was kind enough to share his perspective on the retreat. In his words, this was more than just a wellness weekend—it was a space where healing, joy, and community collided.

It's my first retreat - but it definitely won't be my last. - Christopher McDonnell

"Having spaces like this for Queer folks is so important because you come to this event with a shared understanding of our pain, our suffering, our shame - we don't need to explain that. Being here with people from the community that understand your background, even if they don't know the details of it, puts us all on a level playing field where I don't need to worry about how much of myself should I give or should I hold back. - Christopher McDonnell

Chris joined our "Reclaiming Joy" retreat, which invites participants to reconnect with their essential nature, reclaiming their joy, well-being, and personal power as a means to navigate challenging circumstances. Through inner awareness, reflection, and practical tools, we guide participants on how to cultivate resilience and safeguard their mental health as Queer people, while fostering strength to face life's difficulties with renewed clarity and peace. After the retreat, Chris shared with us what he took away from the experience, from the power of not having to explain yourself, to finding belonging without pretence and of finally beginning a journey to reclaim joy and self-trust.

I'd never been on a retreat before, and the journey we've been on together as a community has been truly amazing. The community conversations and meditation practices have really driven home the message around where joy comes from and how you can seek it in a world where we're told we're not entitled to or shouldn't have joy. At the end of this incredible retreat, I truly believe it. - Christopher McDonnell

If you’re a queer professional or leader feeling the weight of burnout, isolation, or the need to reconnect to your purpose—our wellness experiences are built with you in mind. Find your retreat.

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While you're here...

Did you know we consult with Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke corporate solutions? Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce DEI insights and craft bespoke content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Find out more here.

We also organise FREE community events throughout the year! We offer a variety of ways to get involved - both online and in person. This is a great way to network and learn more about others' experiences, through in-depth discussion on an array of topics. You can find out what events we have coming up here. New ones are added all the time, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter so you can stay up to date!