💡What's This All In Service Of?
Weekly Lightbulb: How many retreat centers & eco-villages does the world need?
Hey Friends, in this week’s lightbulb, I’ll be sharing some thoughts on the recent wave to fill natural environments with people’s visions for retreat centers and eco-villages without the know-how, humility, and pause that’s needed ahead of the journey.
When it comes to land projects—eco-villages, retreat centers, healing spaces—the most important question isn’t about location or design. It’s this:
What is this truly in service of?
Is it for the land, the community, your soul—or is it another version of, “Once I build this, I’ll be happy”?
When I started my project in Costa Rica, I didn’t ask this. I thought I was building the 'New Earth,' but instead, I built a new version of burnout—endless investor calls and commitments that drained me. Same hustle, new backdrop. It took years to realign my life with true service: to my clients, my values, and myself. Ronit, the founder of Leap Forward, helped me see this, when few others were there to pause me.
The Eco-Rat Race: Same Stress, Different View
I’ve watched many fall into the same trap. They crave freedom and nature but end up in another hamster wheel—this time with palm trees. I’ve seen retreat centers open without clarity—designed more as escapes than spaces for transformation. And I’ve watched ecovillages crumble because they invested in buildings, not relationships.
Do We Need Another Retreat Center?
Before taking on a new client, I ask: How many retreat centers does the world really need? Will this be a place of real healing, or just another checkbox on someone’s self-help journey? If it’s an ecovillage, what invisible structures— such as strong agreements and aligned values, conflict resolution and culture —will sustain it?
The Power of Small, Aligned Moves
Some of my clients have broken free from the pattern:
One rented first, testing different areas and finding clarity before committing to land.
Another started small—a healing home, not a massive center—and found joy in simplicity.
Another created community first and is still considering whether the land project piece is needed and timely.
They all realized that intention, not scale, creates impact.
Most People Miss the Process—and Burn Out
I guide clients to honor the process, not just chase the result:
Clarify Vision & Mission: Who and what is this serving? Why am I doing this?
Test First: Rent, experiment, explore then create your strategy!
Build Community Before Walls: Relationships are the foundation.
Start Small, Then Scale: Growth is sustainable when it’s gradual.
Build a Team: work with people who’ve done this before to guide you.
The Real Question:
Are you designing a project—or building a prison?
If You’re Building, Dreaming, or Even Questioning:
I’d love to hear it so message me or schedule a chat!
Let’s make sure your vision serves your life—and the world.
To your aligned journey,
Ed
P.S. True transformation begins with real questions. What’s the most important question on your heart today?
Check out the LSA - where we meet monthly as a community to discuss our land projects and our lives with a collective of project founders, experts on the ground, and peers looking to not walk alone in this journey. We’re stronger together!
