🌳 Rest & Reflection Weekend 2025: A Journey into Stillness, Storytelling, and Self

Twelve strangers.
One monastery in the woods.
And a shared desire to slow down, breathe, and reconnect, with themselves and each other.

From May 9 to 11, students from all over the world gathered in Nijmegen for the Rest & Reflection Weekend, co-organized by DISS and MoTiv. What followed was more than just a break from academic stress, it was a deeply human, joyful, and sometimes even transformative experience.

Awakening the Senses… and Greeting the Cows

We began not with words, but with presence.
On our first evening, we ventured into the twilight forest. Blindfolded, guided only by a partner’s voice and our own touch, we explored tree bark, leaves, and earth.
This simple act, of relying on others, of slowing down, set the tone for the weekend.

“I learned how to be present in the moment… The right questions were asked. I still don’t have answers, but that’s something to think about after going back home.”

A Raisin, Slowly

Before breakfast, we sat in silence.
Holding a single raisin, we practiced mindfulness, truly seeing, smelling, tasting.
It sounds silly, but it wasn’t.

“A tiny moment, a deep experience.”

It reminded us that peace doesn’t have to be loud, long, or grand, it just needs our attention.

Sharing Safe Spaces

In our first workshop, we explored what “safe” really means. Is it a person? A place? A smell?
We shared personal stories, some joyful, some painful, and listened without judgment.

“By sharing with each other, you get to know a lot of different thoughts and emotions… I feel like I can fight through all the stuff coming up in Q4.”

“The workshops helped me reconnect with my younger self, who dreamt big in this life.”

Pancakes, Football, and Free Time

Between deep sessions, there was laughter.
We baked pancakes, played football, walked in the woods, and told horror stories by the fire. One participant joked:

“I came half-jokingly, but it turned out to be a great experience.”

Another said:

“Cooking pancakes and joking together was fun.”

Some found new friends. Others found… leftover apple pie (we hope).

Cooking Together: A Feast of Effort and Joy

Our Saturday dinner was a masterpiece of teamwork and taste. For over two hours, participants chopped, stirred, and laughed in the kitchen. The result: not just great food, but great memories.

“Cooking for 2.5 hours is not what I usually experience. Talking to a lot of people, trying new things out, and sharing deeper thoughts and feelings, this weekend was amazing.”

The Tribe and the Tree of Life

At night, we played silly games that required total focus and let go of our self-consciousness.
On Sunday, we created our own Trees of Life, visual stories of our roots, present selves, and hopes for the future. In pairs, we opened up and connected.

“That sometimes it is useful to look back in time and appreciate the things that got you this far.”

“What you get out of reflection depends on the way you open yourself to it.”

A Weekend That Stays With You

So what did we take home with us?

• “An improved self, new amigas.”
• “A readjusted view upon my priorities and motivation in life.”
• “Positive vibes and challenges I have to overcome.”
• “Feeling heard, not judged. I am rested and ready.”

And perhaps most beautifully:

“Spending a lot of time together, sharing laughs, cooking and eating made me feel like family.”

Until Next Year…

Rest & Reflection Weekend 2025 reminded us that in the rush of life, taking time to pause is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity.

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us. Whether you came for peace, people, or pancakes,you brought something irreplaceable to the weekend.

We’ll be back next year. We hope you will be too. ❤️