The First Ever Yes Hostel: A Celebration of Community and Connection

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Introduction

Since the start of Yes Theory, our audience has consistently done something unique in the world of the internet. You, our viewers, have taken it upon yourselves to self-organize and meet up with each other in person. Through comments, Facebook groups, Discord chats, and Instagram, you have formed friendships and connections all over the world.

We have been amazed and inspired by this, and we wanted to create physical spaces where our audience can come together and connect on a deeper level. In 2020, we had plans to build the world's first Yes Hostel, a place that embodies the themes of seeking discomfort while fostering a sense of community. Unfortunately, the timing didn't work out due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, as things slowly return to normal, our passion for creating physical spaces for our audience remains strong. We recently had the opportunity to take over a hostel in Amsterdam for a weekend, thanks to the open-mindedness of Via Hostel, who were already part of our community.

Creating the Yes Hostel

To make the event as affordable as possible, we reached out to restaurants and event organizers in Amsterdam for special access and discounts. We were able to secure 72 spots at Via Hostel, and they quickly sold out. Our team, including adventurers, community leaders, editors, filmmakers, producers, and partnerships managers, arrived a day before the event to start preparations.

We had a long list of tasks to complete, including setting up the rooms, hanging up seek discomfort signs, and creating a custom check-in booth. We also had a surprise in the basement for our guests. Despite the challenges, everyone worked together to get everything ready in time.

The First Day: Ice Baths and Breathwork

As Friday rolled in, the excitement built up. We gathered all our guests in the lobby to reveal the first challenge of the weekend. We explained our vision for the Yes Hostel and our desire to create spaces where people can make new friends and connect in person.

Our first activity was inspired by our challenge with Wim Hof. Our guests were about to experience cold exposure and breathwork. We transformed the hostel's basement into a space for this unique activity. The reactions were mixed, but everyone embraced the discomfort and pushed themselves to new limits.

After the ice bath and breathwork session, we served vegan burgers to our guests and encouraged them to get plenty of rest for the long day ahead.

The Second Day: Scavenger Hunt and Bonding

On the second day, we split our guests into nine teams for a scavenger hunt around Amsterdam. Each team had to solve clues and complete challenges to move forward. It was a thrilling and exhausting day as our guests raced around the city, bonding with their teammates and discovering new parts of Amsterdam.

Despite some challenges and detours, everyone had an incredible time. The day ended with a delicious meal at a renowned restaurant called Tacos and Tequila, owned by members of our community. It was a chance for everyone to relax, unwind, and reflect on the amazing experiences they had during the scavenger hunt.

The Final Day: Reflection and Future Plans

On the final day, we gathered everyone together to express our gratitude for their participation and to reflect on the purpose of the Yes Hostel. We shared our vision for creating physical spaces that foster community and fight against the loneliness epidemic that plagues our society.

We invited our guests to stay in touch and continue building connections beyond the weekend. We expressed our desire to expand the Yes Theory movement into physical spaces such as hostels, cafes, and pop-up events. We asked our audience to share their ideas and let us know what types of spaces they would love to see come out of Yes Theory.

In conclusion, the first-ever Yes Hostel was a celebration of community and connection. It was a weekend filled with challenges, discomfort, bonding, and unforgettable experiences. We are grateful to our audience for their continuous support and enthusiasm, and we look forward to creating more spaces where people can come together, make new friends, and seek discomfort in the pursuit of a meaningful life.