Pouring From an Empty Cup
In an open letter to New Zealand farmers, Aro Hā Wellness Retreat Co-Founder Damian Chaparro says it’s good to be hardworking, but not privately exhausted. Words Damian Chaparro.
If there’s one thing I’ve grown to admire since settling in Aotearoa, it’s the quiet strength that runs through the people here.
Whether you’re wrangling fences or finances, raising kids, sheep, or standards, there’s a kind of steadfastness here. No fuss. Just getting on with it. It’s beautiful. And, at times, I’m guessing, privately exhausting.
Across the country, a quiet shift is happening. People are stepping out – into the neighbour’s sauna, up a mountain, or into a retreat like ours.
At Aro Hā, I’ve met farmers who haven’t stopped in decades. Builders held together by grit. Teachers, nurses, parents – those who give more than they take.
And what happens when they take rest? When they walk barefoot on the earth, breathe mountain air, and eat food that truly feeds them? They begin to feel again. Think clearly. Sleep deeply. Laugh. Sometimes I cry. They leave lighter and stronger, not because the world changed, but because they remembered who they were.
Retreats aren’t about luxury or escape. They’re about maintenance. Just like your home, your tools, or your teams, you need maintenance too. That’s what a retreat really is: not indulgence, but an intelligent reset for your whole system.
“I’ve met farmers who haven’t stopped in decades. Don’t let your wellbeing wait for a crisis.” – Damian Chaparro, Co-founder, Aro Hā Wellness Retreat
You don’t need to be a yogi. You don’t need to be falling apart. You just need to be curious about what else is possible.
Whether you’re in gumboots or dress shoes, on the farm or in the office, the truth is the same: you are the engine behind everything you create. And like anything worth keeping – life, love, friendships – you need nourishing too.
If no one’s told you lately, I will: it’s okay to take a break. In fact, it might be the bravest thing you do this year.
Don’t let your wellbeing wait for a crisis. If you’re feeling depleted, the cells in your body are telling you something. Your energy and mood are reflections of your health. In fact, just a picture of your face can be used to help predict biological age and even cancer survival times.
Call it rest, retreat, or repair.
But be sure to prioritise yourself first. Nobody else can do it for you. All it takes is a little pause.
