Hey love, let’s talk about something that most of us struggle with… letting go of control. Yeah, I know. Even reading that might make you cringe a little. I get it—I’ve been there. In fact, I wrote an entire book about it (yes, really—if you haven’t grabbed Surrender on Amazon yet, consider this your sign!).
For the longest time, I thought if I could just control everything, life would be smooth sailing. I tried to plan, predict, and perfect every aspect of my life—my career, my relationships, my goals. I held on tight because I believed that control equaled security.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
Instead, I felt exhausted, anxious, and constantly frustrated when things didn’t go exactly as I had planned. And let’s be honest—when does life ever go exactly as planned?
It wasn’t until I truly learned the art of surrender that I found a sense of peace I never knew existed. And let me tell you, surrender isn’t about giving up or letting life just happen to you. It’s about trusting that things are unfolding exactly as they should, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
And where did I really learn to practice surrender? On a retreat.
Why Surrendering Control is the Ultimate Freedom
Here’s the thing—we aren’t actually in control of most things. Sure, we can make choices, set intentions, and take action, but at the end of the day, there will always be things outside of our control. And when we resist that reality, we create stress, frustration, and overwhelm.
But when we lean into surrender, we create space for:
- More peace – No more fighting against what is.
- More joy – Because you’re not constantly trying to fix and force everything.
- More trust – Knowing that life is guiding you, even when it doesn’t make sense.
- More presence – Because when you let go of control, you actually get to experience the moment instead of trying to manage it.
Retreats: The Perfect Place to Practice Surrender
One of the reasons I love leading retreats so much is because they provide the perfect opportunity to practice surrender in a safe, supportive environment.
When you’re at a retreat, you don’t have to plan, coordinate, or control anything (hallelujah, right?!). Instead, you get to trust the process, trust yourself, and trust that everything is unfolding exactly as it should.
Here’s how we embrace surrender on retreat:
- Yoga & Breathwork – Learning to let go of tension, control, and expectations, one breath at a time.
- Nature Therapy – Whether it’s walking along the beach or feeling the stillness of the ranch, being in nature reminds us that we don’t have to force—we just have to flow.
- Letting Go Rituals – From burning old fears in a fire ceremony to journaling through resistance, we release what no longer serves us so we can make space for what does.
- Deep Conversations – In a retreat setting, you’re surrounded by women who are also on their own journey of surrender. Sharing, reflecting, and supporting each other makes letting go feel easier.
- Rest & Allowing – No to-do lists. No expectations. Just being. And let me tell you, that alone is a powerful practice of surrender.
How to Practice Surrender in Daily Life
Leaving a retreat doesn’t mean leaving surrender behind. It’s something you can bring into your daily life in small but powerful ways. Here’s how:
+ Let go of the need to control outcomes. Set your intention, take aligned action, and then trust.
+ Breathe through resistance. When life throws a curveball, take a deep breath instead of reacting in frustration.
+ Practice radical acceptance. Remind yourself, This is happening for me, not to me.
+ Loosen your grip on timelines. Things don’t always happen on our schedule, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t happening at the right time.
+ Trust yourself. You’ve handled every challenge so far, and you’ll handle whatever comes next.
Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Letting Go
If you’ve been holding on too tightly—whether to a plan, a relationship, an outcome—maybe this is your sign to surrender a little.
To trust that what’s meant for you won’t pass you by.
To release the need to force, fix, or control everything.
To finally create space for peace, joy, and freedom.
And if you need a place to practice the art of surrender—well, you know where to find me. Come join me on retreat, and let’s release what’s weighing us down so we can rise into something even better.
With love & surrender,
Shannon
P.S. If you haven’t read my book Surrender yet, grab your copy on Amazon—it’s full of tools to help you let go and live with more peace.
