The company I work for, Improving Enterprises, sponsors an annual employee retreat. It might be the most anticipated event of the year and this year was not exception.

It was my first year attending and I didn’t know what to expect. I was not really fired up about going, which is normal for me now, but not prior to 2020. To be honest, I was not happy about flying or spending time in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It’s probably just me. I’m sure many, if not most, of my colleague REALLY look forward to the trip and the time in Vegas. Me, not so much, and I know why; PTSD.

The stress of getting to and being in Frank Sinatra’s town was overwhelming. Part of it was the digital billboard on the buildings, part of it was the mass of people, and part of it was the smell of smoke from legalized marijuana being smoked.

So what about the human connection?

Aside from the sensory overload, aside from the deliberate discomfort, I was in Las Vegas for one reason. I was there to connect with people I had been working with virtually for months, reconnect with co-works I had not seen in person (in some cases for a couple of years), and to meet other “Improvers”.

The experience with fellow Improvers was delightful. My personal, one-on-one conversations energized me. Finally, the weekend room mate paring was perfect as Andrew and I connected within minutes of his walking in the hotel room door.

For me, hanging out and having fun with “my tribe” made my deliberate discomfort worth it. I’m not saying it was easy, it was easier. I got to recharge when I needed and to work with a minimal schedule.

In my mind, I overcame myself to make the most of my first, Improving Las Vegas experience.