The Hostel In The Forest: A Weekend Retreat

The Hostel in the Forest is a little cooperative in Bruswick, GA. Just hearing about a little place where you sleep in tree houses sounded so enchanting. I knew that I wanted to visit one day, so during a time when I needed to get away, I decided to take a weekend trip. The drive is easy; just three hours from Orlando, FL.

I found the hidden entrance and path, and drove through forest and trees. It was easy to follow, and I eventually started to pass colorful cabins, tree houses, and sculptures. I felt like I had just entered into a magical scene from a fairy tale.

I parked my car, and was a little nervous. No one was around. I grabbed my suitcase and started walking. Finally, a nice woman appeared, and she took me to the check-in area. They signed me in ( just $25 a night), and I grabbed my sheets, towels, blankets, and set up my tree house. I instantly felt at home.

I was so happy and giddy to be there.

It’s all about community at The Hostel. We all cooked, cleaned, and sang songs around the campfire together. I met a few people right away, and still remain friends to this day.

During my visit, I spent the days mostly wondering around the property, reading the books in the library, exploring the garden, and swimming in the lake. There were a lot of people with children, and even two people with babies.

Before dinner each night, we all held hands around the bonfire and said what we were thankful for. Some people talked for a long time, and some people kept it simple.

There was a guy that chose a different letter every night and rambled off a bunch of things he was thankful for starting with that letter. For example, ” I am thankful for bandanas, beans, bicycles, bananas, boats, bean thread noodles, brick ovens, etc.” It always made me smile to see what the next person was going to say.

This place is a gem that I can’t stop talking about, so I put together this list of what I loved and learned at The Hostel In The Forest:

1. Home cooked meals are delicious. Cook more and with more variety. Take time to cook rather than preparing fast because of being hungry. Make many types of the same food. For pizza night we had 10 different pizzas and same with lasagna night. Explore many veggies and fruits so that you can create variety in your life and belly!

2. Have a goal of eating clean and normal portions all of the time. When you’re in a place in the middle of the forest you have to eat sparingly and healthy. Eating this way, I had energy and never felt heavy! This is how we should always eat.

3. Be green as much as possible and live with very little waste. Staying there we had to keep track of our own trash. I honestly didn’t eat the Lara Bars I brought because I would have plastic to keep with me. So, learning to purchase and live with as little trash as possible. Also, green is the color of heart chakra!

4. Let go of always having to be busy. When I was staying there I kept planning what I was going to do during the day. I realized that I am in a place where I don’t have to make plans. I can decide to do whatever I want whenever the inspiration occurs. Of course there must be a balance of freedom and responsibility, but also letting go of always having to stick with plans and being okay with change.

5. Learned about herbs….. They have an extensive collection of herbs for loose teas, and also a garden where they grow their own fruits and veggies. Some that I had heard of, but never tried until this past weekend: Myrrh, Comfrey, Dong Quai, Cats Claw, Nettles. One day we all picked blueberries together, which we later made into a blueberry pie, and used more the next morning in blueberry pancakes. This prompted me to do some research on herbs and order some for my own tea collection and starting my own herb garden, and then maybe grow some of my own veggies!

6. Accept your inner beauty: I didn’t feel the need to wear make up at all. I felt as if I wasn’t being judged, but only accepted and loved. Nothing superficial about The Hostel in the Forest. Beauty is completely internal. So refreshing!

7. I became inspired to do more research or use more natural products. At the hostel they use Dr. Bronner’s for the drain, to clean, etc…. so this inspired me to seek out the most natural and environmentally friendly products for our earth, and even make some myself. I started looking up recipes for homemade house cleaners too!

8. Got me in touch with being aware of my tendencies, and then accept and let go of my tendencies. Opened my heart for new beginnings.

9. Cut down on daily use of paper products. Inspired me to not use paper towels anymore, but buy an abundance of dish towels instead. Less waste!

10. Community and solitude must be balanced. Time together is sacred and precious and just as delightful as time spent alone.

Create peace and love within so that you can spread peace and love throughout.

I like the tradition of saying what we are thankful for before we sit down to eat. So, before I eat dinner I am going to always say thanks to every single moment and person in my life… good, bad, ugly… because it has shaped who and where I am. And, then add whatever inspires me.People that you meet only for a night, a moment, or for longer periods will change your life.