Being alone has never felt so connected – Singles Only in Morocco

Here's what Ivayla shares about how people change when they travel alone, when the 'click' happens, and why Singles Only is not just a format, but an experience that can change your perspective (and direction).

Where does someone start when they decide to gather a group of strangers and take them to Morocco?

From a turning point of self-belief, I think. It's a challenging experience. I was fortunate to have the best possible support. Without Boyana Sharlopova as a partner, psychotherapist, and friend, this magic - Morocco - wouldn't have happened. It's crucial in such experiences that the leaders work as one organism without losing their individuality, and I believe we achieved that with Boyana ZaEdno and enjoyed it too.

What happens when people who don't know each other's names start cooking together, making dinner, and asking personal questions as if they've known each other for years?

What happens is genuine fun and a feeling that right at this moment, we don't want to be anywhere else.

Is there a moment when everyone forgets they came alone?

I believe there is, and it's very noticeable. There's a moment when the energy of everyone together as one is so strong, when conversations focus on the here and now, and when questions and answers become easy to express.

What's your favourite moment from the last trip that's nowhere in the program?

I love working with groups. One of my favourite moments was when, due to a slight delay on the trip to the desert, we couldn't do two of the games, and we asked the group what they preferred: the long, intense program or the short version. Almost unanimously, they said they wanted to do everything planned, to experience it all. This is a great affirmation for us as leaders. It shows that we've formed a group, sparked interest, desire, mutuality, and connection.

What do you enjoy most watching while the group progresses?

The relaxation of each participant feels like a lightening when there are no longer so many demands and expectations. There's a moment where if the leaders have done their job well, everyone allows themselves a little more, enjoying more what's happening around them. It's irreplaceable.

What do people say at the end when they get back on the plane? (And what do they keep to themselves?)

Haha, when they boarded the plane at the end, everyone was tired but with glowing eyes. The feedback we received was that this was the best trip of their lives. What they keep to themselves... hmm, I think many longings and a little nostalgia for the end.

How do you know someone has allowed themselves to be more of who they are than they have been for a long time?

By the lightness that can be felt even in the air. When someone has allowed themselves to be a bit more of who they are, when they 'allow' - they shine and live for the moment. Carpe diem - seize the day!

If you could describe the group with one word (that isn’t 'vibration', 'energy', or 'magic') – what would it be?

Two words actually come to mind. One is synergy /which is joint action where the final effect is greater than the sum of the effects caused separately by each agent/, the other is DNA. A teacher of mine once said when a group forms in which everyone connects with everyone else, a group DNA is formed. It is unique, like the DNA of each individual person. I believe that happened with our group in Morocco.

What would you say to someone watching the stories and thinking: 'Looks fun, but I'm not that kind of person'?

Join us in September. We promise you'll experience things you won't experience anywhere else, and you'll return, if not with a partner, then certainly with many friendships and a sense of belonging. What could be better than that?

What doesn't anyone expect, but everyone gets?

I think it's personal growth. Knowledge about oneself that they didn't have before. It's impressive to feel seen by 23 pairs of eyes and to see your own uniqueness.

Every time a group gathers in the desert, to the rhythm of Berber drums and under the starlight, something much bigger than a journey happens. Morocco unravels, arranges, connects you.

And if you're thinking, 'I'm not that kind of person,' Ivayla has one piece of advice: that's exactly when you are.

The next trip is in September. Learn more here