The art of gathering and why it’s even better with a host

I’m an event person.

I love gathering with groups of people, hearing their stories, getting to know each other, and just spending time as a group. I’ve been organizing events and bringing different groups of friends together since before I could drive.

I’m also a person who loves a hosted event.

There’s something fun about attending a relaxing event, but there’s a whole new element when someone is hosting the event and has things planned.

If you ask me, gathering is an art, and it’s even better when there’s a host. 

The art of gathering

We gather often.

We gather with coworkers at the lunch table, with family around the dinner table, and with friends around the games table. We also gather with people, not around tables…like at pool parties and concerts. 

As humans, we gather a lot. 

While researching the art of gathering, I read this,

“Gatherings are important to the human experience but too often we don’t give them much thought.”

And it rang true.

How often do we gather without thinking about how we’re gathering? 

Yes, sometimes it’s a planned gathering, and we coordinate who is bringing what to the potluck. But, we don’t always think about the impact that these gatherings have or how we can make them even better. 

Intentional gatherings can make routine events fun and can help us develop deeper connections with the people that we’re gathering with. 

Even just asking, “why are we gathering?” can help you better understand how to make the gathering more intentional. When you have a clear purpose for your gathering, you can ensure that you’re aligned with everyone there and what you should be doing at the gathering. (Learn more about how to turn everyday get-togethers into transformative gatherings). 

By cultivating common grounds, you can have a transformative gathering that is impactful for everyone there.

Gathering is an art. The more time and energy people pour into each gathering, the more impact the gathering would have.

When you have someone who is dedicated to facilitating and creating a fun and engaging gathering, you’re going to have a better experience than if the gathering is unplanned.

This is where a host comes in…

What does a host do?

A host can help guests by creating a clear path to what they should be doing. A host does all the research and planning to do their best to ensure that everyone attending is having a good time. 

For example, a retreat planner is someone who does all of the research, including things like picking the location, planning the transportation, planning any activities, coordinating food, and more. Then the attendees just have to show up! 

The host will also manage expectations, coordinate communication, and do their best to get everyone on the same page.

Essentially, a host is going to take care of everything for an event that you would normally have to take care of.

For something like a retreat, the host is going to ensure that everything is planned and scheduled, so you don’t need to worry about any of it. 

What are the benefits of attending a gathering with a host?

Besides taking care of the logistics, attending an event with a host is going to increase the chances of the event having a purpose.

A host (especially a good host) is going to create opportunities for conversations, activities, and more. They want everyone there to have a good time, and they’re going to do their best to make sure everyone does.

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker writes,

“We spend much of our time in uninspiring, underwhelming moments that fail to capture us, change us in any way, or connect us to one another.”

A host is going to mitigate the underwhelming moments and captivate your attention and the other guests’ attention. 

Attending a gathering with a host means that you’re way more likely to have a good time!

Join me at the Rooted Retreat

Like I said, I’m an event person, and this is one of the reasons I’ve created the Rooted Retreat. This is a weekend event that I’m hosting (with the help of a few amazing people), and you’re invited!

This event is an opportunity for you to relax while also finding balance in your everyday life. Through things like guided meditations, journaling, sound healing, and movement work, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a hosted event while connecting with incredible women just like yourself.

The Rooted Retreat has purpose. We are going to be gathering together to bring balance back to life. Everyone is there because they want to be there. They want to relax. They want to be centered. 

There are only eleven spots available, so you’re going to want to be on the waitlist when registration opens. 

It’s an honor to host this event, and I hope that you’ll be joining us.