Tech Wellbeing Retreat with @metawe.ll ★ March 2026
Tech Wellbeing Retreat with @metawe.ll ★ March 2026
Safe Mode (Tech Wellbeing Retreat) 13-19th March 2026, Barcelona Spain
In partnership with
Safe Mode is the technical setting that strips a device down to its essential files + functions, by disabling all third-party programs. This mode allows you to better locate + repair internal issues within a device.
This is exactly the work we’ll be doing on our retreat. Stripping away the layers of distortions + distractions fueled by technology, our goal is to reestablish who we really are + what actually matters.
Through a blend of teaching, movement, community, time in nature, and creative practice- we’ll find our way back to things that truly light us up , and learn how to sustain them in our daily lives.
It’s not a detox, this experience will create an opportunity to rebuild your relationship with technology where there is no need to escape it.
Rediscover awe!
This retreat is not:
This retreat isn’t digital detoxing, switching off to simply relax, cramming days with compulsory activities, or promising total life transformation in a week—it’s about sustainable, balanced change at your own pace.
This retreat is:
A chance to foster a healthy relationship with tech, blending learning, movement, creativity, and relaxation within light structure—offering space for self-reflection, + tools to gently shift your mindset longterm.
Highlights
Visit to natural springs & waterfalls with option to wild swim • Wine tasting and local vineyard tours • Swim in the saltwater pool • Playful creative workshops • Mindfulness workshops, including both movement & stillness • Open fires and conversation • Silent Disco • Lots of space and time for yourself • 121 creative sessions • Time to connect with others, and let go of tech
What to Expect
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![Water reflection]()
Reflect on the problem
Explores how technology pulls us from what truly lights us up—movement, making, nature, and community—fueling anxiety and disconnection. Through reflection and embodied activities, we’ll reconnect with authenticity, awe, and meaning. Participants will map personal tech habits and rediscover joy through presence, creativity, and deeper human connection.
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![Sitting on the lake]()
Your inner world exploration
Reconnect with purpose, presence, and play in a world of comparison, overwhelm, and performance. Through journaling, self-reflection, creative practice, and inner child/elder connection, you’ll explore avoidance, rediscover joy, and clarify your authentic self—beyond perfection, pressure, and the imaginary audience shaping your choices.
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![Playful people]()
Immerse yourself in the real world
We’ll invite you to rediscover the awe and magic we often miss in a hyper-connected world. Through playful rituals, sensory exploration, and shifting perspective, you'll learn to see again—beyond the content lens and imagined audience—reconnecting with wonder, presence, and the beauty hiding in plain sight.
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![Creative workshop]()
Who are you (without tech)
It’s now time to release outdated identities shaped by algorithms and insecurity. Through creative and introspective workshops, you'll craft a new, authentic self. Create a personal talisman, realign your digital world, and use tech as a tool for expansion—not limitation—rooted in clarity, intention, and self-defined growth.
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![Friends chatting in nature]()
Returning to the real world
Disrupt old patterns with practical tools and accountability to realign daily life with your new found values, presence, and purpose. We want you to leave the retreat feeling empowered to continue alone, but also with a more subtle and natural feeling that things have shifted. We’ll leave you with rhythms & rituals that you can take back to your reality post retreat.
Guest Reviews
The Venue
in the rural Spanish countryside, near Barcelona
Pricing from £1600 pp based on 2 people sharing a twin room.
Mas els Igols is a traditional 18th century Catalan farmhouse, transformed into a beautiful art-filled retreat and holiday home for 15 people. An oasis-like estate surrounded by the Pènedes vineyards near Barcelona.
Switch on your senses in this quieter situated Masia, that breathes warmth and understated luxury. We are inviting you to ‘Live Light’ and unwind; sit back and come to yourself in the lushness of this rural setting.
Shuttles from Barcelona airport will be provided on arrival and departure days, or you can arrange your own transport if you prefer.
Who created this retreat?
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Retreat Leader
Amy is a BACP therapist-in-training, bringing together person-centred theory and creative thinking in her work with clients. Reflecting on her 80s childhood, she credits boredom for unlocking her imagination—and invites others to rediscover creativity by stepping away from constant stimulation.
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Retreat Collaborator
Jocelyn is a cyber-psychologist based in Sydney. She’s the founder of Digital Nutrition TM, researcher with Sydney University, practicing psychologist, as well as a writer, public speaker and media commentator on the topic of digital wellbeing.
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Retreat Collaborator
Kelly is a New York-based brand and innovation strategist. With a background in visual and cultural theory, she’s spent nearly a decade consulting for some of the world’s biggest, most disruptive brands, with a specialty in food + beverage, health + wellness.
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Eirian is a UK-based Yoga Therapist offering somatic movement to support creative flow, embodied expression, and deep rest for integration.
“Being immersed in nature became a kind of therapy I didn’t know I needed. It gave me the opportunity to let go of daily stresses, and make intentional time for creativity. One of my most important takeaways was realising the importance of play in adult life”
Fran Bibby • Retreat Attendee
A Day on Retreat
We want you to know, this is your retreat, we are providing a framework, but you can always take what you need.
8.30am • Every day will start with a mindfulness practice. This might be a moving meditation or a simple silent creative task
10.30am • Group workshop where we will start with a discussion on a theme, then offer you ways to explore that idea
2pm • Your time to continue to create, rest or introspect.
5pm • Talk, share, connect. Join the group for some reflection on the day, what you’re creating, and how you’re feeling.
3x meals are included at set times each day.
Spend your evenings however you wish…a glass of wine by the fire getting to know your fellow retreaters, or luxuriate in a silent stroll through the gardens and star gaze
FAQs, still have questions? Contact us
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All of our retreats include accommodation, full board meals and some snacks, all workshops on the schedule and materials where needed.
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Here is a list of recommended items that will help you enjoy your stay to the fullest:
Depending on where your retreat is. consider the weather!
Lithuania - could be cold at times in April, but also warm and sunny.
Barcelona - will be warmer in March, but might be a chill at night and we will be dining al fresco if it’s mild. If you wanted to use the yoga space, also bring suitable clothing.
Norway - in January there will likely be snow! You don’t have to venture too far unless you want to (if you do, suitable shoes and warm clothes).If you want to use the sauna (where relevant) and take lake/pool swims, remember your swimwear. A dry robe or fleece can also be useful for getting in and out of the water
If you want to join hikes, remember some good boots, and suitable clothing.
It’s a good idea to bring a water bottle so you can fill it up and keep it with you during the retreat.
Feel free to bring any snacks or other treats, and you’re welcome to bring wine or beer to enjoy in the evenings.
Evenings are usually free time, so games, other activities or a good book could be an idea.
For getting around the property, some shoes that are easy to slip on and off can be useful if you have space!
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We cater for all dietary requirements on our retreats so you can feel confident that no matter what, you will feel nourished.
Please advise us of any specific needs on booking, and we can inform our chefs.
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Not at all, how you approach this is up to you!
We do invite you to leave your tech alone as much as you can, because it will allow you to get the most out of the experience, but we believe in giving you agency to choose.
However, we have designed the retreat in such a way that tech is not needed. We communicate what we need to in person, we will take lots of photographs and video and share it with you so you have memories captured.
What we do encourage is just being observant and curious about your relationship with tech on the retreat.
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YES! In fact we encourage people that have never tried anything creative before to join, and you will get just as much out of this retreat as anyone. Anyone can be creative, it’s just a matter of finding a way to get there.
Because we will offer a mixture of guided sessions, and time to experiment and play, you will have lots of opportunity to explore - but also remember, there is no assessment or end goal in mind here! If you do create your masterpiece great, but just the challenge of trying this will be a great achievement for you.
You will also get lots of benefit from being in a group, and being able to share and get feedback (if you’d like to), as the group will be lots of different levels, we encourage exchanging ideas and skills too.
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We will be bringing the following items for use in the creative workshops we arrange;
set of paints (mixed acrylic + poster paints)
set of paint brushes + palette
paper + card (variety of stock and colour)
1 canvas per person for a special workshop
charcoal, pencils and chalk
If you need something particular and would like us to source it, please send us an enquiry on this and we will see what we can do.
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La Granja Soul is located in a natural environment and at the same time is quite well connected. You can reach Mas els Igols by train from Barcelona city. The 'R4' train will take you from the city center to Vilafranca del Penedès. In Vilafranca you can take the 'Igualadina' bus towards Pontons. From the bus stop near the 'Benzinera de Sant Martí' gas station it is only 1500 m. walk to our front door. The train leaves twice an hour. The bus leaves less frequently.
You can also choose to take a taxi from Vilafranca (€20 or so) which is probably easier. A taxi from Barcelona airport will cost you around €100. We can help you arrange a ride with a local taxi service. Please contact us for more details.
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Solo travellers are welcome, and we’ve also tried our best to make a solo occupancy room more affordable than charging you double.
You also have the option to book a shared room, and we imagine this will be a popular choice for most people, so you’ll right away feel a part of the group.
The dining will always be on a long table, so you’ll also never feel separate from the group - in fact this is a great environment if you’re travelling alone!
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Visit our resources page here
Consider a 121 session wit Amy (more here) Or sign up to our newsletter!
The Artists Way is a great book to start exploring creative thinking, and it would be a perfect intro to getting you ready to join the retreat.
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All bookings are non-refundable, and non-transferable. However, we will be happy to put your place back on sale, and if we’re able to sell it, we will pay back anything you have paid to you.
This is simply because we are pricing the retreat based on our target number of people, and any dropouts affects the price for all elements of the retreat.
We recommend that everyone booking also purchases travel insurance to cover for any unforeseen circumstances that are beyond our control.
On the rare occasion we have to cancel the retreat, you will be refunded in full, but we will not be responsible for any travel you have booked. Most travel insurance would cover for an event being cancelled, and we are happy to provide written confirmation in that case that the retreat is not going ahead, to support your claim.
We completely understand that sometimes a situation arises that’s unavoidable, so if you have a special circumstance, you can arrange a call with us to talk about how we can help.
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Maximum 12 people in the group
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The soul farm is situated in the beautiful Pènedes wine region where ‘Cava’ is being produced. Cava is the famous Spanish sparkling wine. Locals proudly call this area the ‘Tuscany of Catalonia’. There are some amazing organic and biodynamic wineries nearby, that are worth a visit. Torres is also located around the corner, a world-renowned winery. They also serve splendid lunches and dinners in their garden or in the garden room.
The village is surrounded by forests that stretch out all the way up to the Pyrenees. In collaboration with a bicycle shop in Vilafranca we can offer rental bikes or E-bikes..
Within walking distance of the Soul Farm you can find a beautiful hermitage and waterfalls where clear, drinkable water runs straight out of the rocks. There are caves nearby and the castle of Sant Marti Sarroca.
Your Retreat Leader
Amy is a therapist in training, professional graphic designer, and amateur artist - she has also explored wellbeing both personally and professionally for over a decade, and may have found a new approach.
Growing up in the 80s, boredom was a common occurrence, but it was never something that was as feared as it is nowadays. Remembering this time fondly, she shares “Most of my childhood I was faced with boredom. But it was this time in my life that I started drawing - and I’d spend HOURS doing so. Most of all, my imagination was totally WILD, and I saw the world through a very inspiring lens.
I know I wouldn’t have found my creative streak without that 'boredom', and it made me think what we might discover if we dare to venture away from constant stimulation today…”
The retreat will include optional 121 sessions with Amy throughout the week, if you’re interested in exploring person centred therapy, alongside your creative expression.
Past Retreats
(*this was our Lithuania Retreat, but many of the workshops are similar)
“Since returning from the retreat, I’m more mindful of using my phone, and have consciously switched it off for hours at a time. I also opted to walk without a podcast - allowing time to think or just enjoy the scenery, rather than being plugged in all the time. I spent an evening painting a canva, and have a new sketchbook on order”
Coralie Watson • Retreat Attendee
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