AuthorTaking some personal time to renew your spirit can be extremely valuable to your mental and physical health. Whether you are dealing with death, divorce, illness or a block to your creativity, taking some “me time” is an important way to nourish your soul.
Choose a Remote Location
If possible, make your retreat an actual retreat from the busy world. The journey to a new place is the beginning of the process of renewal, so pick a location that is at least two hours away from your home. Look into borrowing a friend’s vacation home, choose from among one of the peaceful cedar log chalets Nova Scotia or simply rent a hotel room on the edge of a state park.
Plan Your Day
You certainly don’t need to over-plan your retreat, but you should have an idea of what you want to work on creatively or spiritually. Bring comfortable clothes for long walks or sunrise yoga. Pack a stack of books or other reading material — more than you will have time to look at. This is a great time to tackle a project you need long stretches of time for, such as writing a chapter in your book, acknowledging condolence cards or finishing a knitting project. Being on a retreat doesn’t mean you can’t talk to anyone else, so book yourself a massage or tour a local historical home. The idea is to do something that will fill you up with positive energy.
What To Expect
You may not get hit with a bolt of lightning that solves all your problems but going on a solitary retreat allows you time and space to ponder and consider. You may resolve some unresolved issues and return to the world with greater clarity, or you may find the problems are still there but that your energy to deal with them has increased. Either way will be a win.
Self-care is not a ridiculous indulgence. Connecting with yourself will make you more centered and better able to deal with issues that arise in your day-to-day life.