Why as the Founder of Bliss, I’m Ok with Mistakes

Why, as the Founder of Bliss Sanctuary for Women, I'm Ok with Mistakes

Zoë, founder of Bliss Sanctuary for Women, shares an honest look at running Bali's award-winning women-only wellness retreat with its imperfections, humanity, and all.

Fifteen Years of Building a Women-Only Healing Experience in Bali

I love our beautiful Bliss sanctuaries in Bali, our staff & the amazing women who come to visit us at our women-only wellness retreat, SO MUCH. And I am so blessed to have created Bliss Sanctuary for Women, lived in Bali for 6 years, run our all-inclusive retreats for women for 15 years now & connected with so many beautiful people & experiences, to pass on to all of our wonderful Bliss guests.

But I have to admit building a safe place for women to travel on your own isn't always easy!

(Lol I laugh as I write that with so many funny stories running through my mind, I really need to write a book one day!)

Awards Don't Come from Perfection, They Come from Heart

It still astounds me how many global awards our Bali wellness retreat has won. I actually cannot believe it & don't know how we deserve over 80!!! And have been nominated for over 20 more already this year! We definitely don't win these because we're perfect or anything close. I attribute it ALL to our staff and their heart, their humanities & their positive intentions and their love for other women and what they do. Especially in this day and age where it seems more difficult than ever to connect.

It's not their perfection I applaud as that doesn't exist. They are human and have bad days. We are constantly challenged, they sometimes slip & it's my responsibility to be there to support them and lovingly guide them. But also, to be really blunt & truthful when it's needed. Not my favourite part of running one of the best wellness retreats in Bali, but probably the most necessary.

Every Woman Who Walks Through Our Doors Is Different

As a sanctuary for women, Bliss is about our people & the way we connect with our guests at every one of our retreats, whether that's Canggu, Seminyak, or Villa Peace. This is not easy, because every single woman who arrives for solo female travel to Bali is different, and everyone's version of a women-only healing experience looks a little different too.

Some are tired & overwhelmed or had a terrible flight or no sleep & come with a nervous system jumping out of their skin. (Straight to the massage table for you, with a lovely soothing smoothie)

Some come with such high expectations that we could never physically fulfill & I don't expect this of my staff (my expectations are super high as it is lol)

Some have been going through some heavy life stuff, and didn't realise how challenged they would be giving back to themselves with love & the discomfort receiving this can be. (Not everyone likes hugs or can easily accept kindness from others & some can mistake this for inauthenticity or weakness)

Some are menopausal & emotional without even knowing why (def me lol)

Some are on an absolute high and so excited! This makes us so excited too.

Some are just so thankful to finally be here at our sanctuary in Bali & can relax right away. And we are so thankful that all of you chose us and we do feel the pressure of living up to this.

Some are A type perfectionists (also me!) & forget English is our staffs second language & they grew up in a completely different environment & culture than we did, so they need communication over expectation to help support you the best they can.

And some LOVE our hugs, our food, can't wait for their unlimited massages, love to sing along in the car, can't wait to take beautiful pictures & create wonderful memories & just love our amazing villas and sleep well & everything clicks. (Like a miracle as that is essentially what this is)

But all of this rarely happens for everyone and never in the same way. That's the honest reality behind creating personalised retreat packages for women, all of this rarely happens for everyone and never in the same way.

Our Staff Are Human Too

Our staff do make mistakes or can seem rushed or forget to walk out of the room when they're on their phone as something big has happened. They can be tired from crying babies at home or be a little more subdued after arguing with their husbands or mother in laws. They have certain times of year when their culture demands a lot from them, yet these are somehow still called holidays!

And you know what, as their boss I am ok with them not being perfect all the time. I know I certainly am not so how can I ask this of them?

So, I do my best to support them. I create a team of amazing people to support them. And constantly mentor and give advice. And they appreciate this so much and I appreciate their heart & beautiful intentions, amazing skills & intellect & emotional intelligence to be great at what they do.

What Living with Chronic Illness Taught Me About Perfection

I am forever thankful for all of you who melt into the moments at our sanctuary for women. Understand the imperfections of humanity. Still hold us to account as we are 100% here to make you happy & this brings us joy. Those who vote for us, we are all so humbled by each and every vote & the time you take to do this. All of the amazing reviews! Again, not based on perfectionism just openness & where we got it right.

But mostly all of you who are part of our Bliss family. Whether you have visited our women-only wellness retreat in Bali or want to. Whether you have engaged in written reviews or emails or posts or anything giving your beautiful energy. And understand that even when we don't get it 100% right, we want to. But life & work & travel doesn't always work that way. But we will always do our best no matter what, with all our human fallibility, our heart, our positive intentions & our joy.

We just pray every day that is enough & we don't let anybody down & we work towards it always being enough. Every day.

Living with chronic illness I have personally learnt some pretty harsh lessons about what really matters in life and perfectionism is no longer important to me. Mistakes are something to learn & grow from. And the beautiful connections we make along the way at our Bali sanctuary are what matters the most.

Thank you for being here for the journey.

Much love, Zoë xx