Dealing With My Lake of Sorrow: My Mental Health Journey in Bali

By Adrien Gaubert (he/him/his), Co-founder & CMO at myGwork

When my ex and I broke up after a two-year relationship, I was not sure how I would be able to cope with work and continue to lead my team with a big smile on my face every day. As a Co-founder, I have the responsibility to turn up to work every day with a positive vibe, and be creative and patient.  But that was becoming increasingly difficult, as the lake of sorrow inside grew bigger. I realised I was stuck, and I needed to take time out to look after my emotional and mental wellbeing. 

So I signed up for a mental health retreat in Bali – The Place Retreat. The motto of this retreat is “Be who you are”. It sounded perfect for me, and after an initial chat with one of the world-leading psychotherapist and founder of the retreat, Jean Claude Chalmet, I realised it was exactly what I needed.  

As soon as I arrived, JC and his amazing team made me feel at home instantly. The Place Retreat is pure love with smiles everywhere. I connected with everyone attending the retreat. We were all in the same boat, so we supported each other day after day, therapy session after therapy session. 

I came to the retreat aware that I needed the space to focus on myself. While I did that, the combination of excellent psychotherapy sessions and a selection of alternative healing methods (massages, Reiki, breathing techniques, Watsu, meditation, yoga, etc), unlocked some early childhood traumas. In fact, I was not even aware that those traumas were part of the reason I felt stuck.   

The retreat’s therapists told me I needed to connect with myself, so that is what I started doing, and the pieces of the puzzle finally started to fit.  I felt calmer. I slowed down and finally connected with my inner self. The shell eventually cracked. I cried a lot and I managed to empty that lake of sorrow inside of me.  

Being an empath can be challenging because you forget to set boundaries for yourself and your happiness. I had to connect my head to my heart. As a co-founder, I have the responsibility to be happy so I can lead my team every day with a positive vibe. Having returned from the retreat, I am once again whole and capable of doing that again. 

I would recommend The Place Retreat to anyone ready for a life-changing experience, especially those of you dealing with childhood traumas and/or abusive experiences.  JC and his team will go the extra mile to observe you without you noticing, and help you to get better and simply be who you are. In my last session, JC told me I was not breathing from the “right nose string”. I could not believe he took the time to notice this.  

During my two-week retreat, I connected with every single therapist there. One Qi Gong Master Elisa, however, found just the right words to open my heart and ease my sorrow, so I could finally really open up to other therapists. I am forever grateful for that. Sincerely, thank you JC, and the team at The Place Retreat.   

I just wish I could have stayed longer in this heavenly place. In fact, most of the residents that I stayed with extended their stay or had returned several times already. I’m sure I will too.  

If you want to find out more about my experience, feel free to contact me or click here for more information about the retreat.