“A quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax.”
“An act of moving back or withdrawing.”
See: Retreat
Solo retreats are deeply moving and quite literally life-altering. Follow these 6 steps and you will be delighted to find yourself:
Withdrawing into yourself in a peaceful location, selected by you.
Granting yourself time to sit and be still, in a place where all static is silenced.
Planning activities and exercises that are YOUniquely supportive and personally meaningful for you.
Focusing specifically on areas important to you, on your journey of self-discovery.
Relishing a complete and literal do-it-yourself experience.
Much love and support, from me to you, as you embark on your inward journey of self-discovery.
~ Mindset Check ~
From this moment forward, think self-love. Your solo retreat has everything to do with loving yourself in a way that is tender, attentive and kind.
This is your chance to do something meaningful for yourself. In order for this solo retreat to be effective, it must come 100% from within you. Only you know what is needed the most. Be mindful and resist the influence of others when it comes to planning and execution.
It is not about ‘them’.
It is about YOU.
Honor your YOUnique self on your journey to become the Best Version of Yourself.
~ Be True To YOU ~
You are not embarking on this journey to please or impress anyone; nor do you need to prove yourself.
Do not be shy with yourself.
Do not hold back or have any reservations about anything. Nothing is silly, weird, crazy or out of the question.
Do not try to ‘create’ yourself. There’s nothing to create. You already exist. Your naturally created self is beautiful.
Focus on connecting with yourself. Focus on discovering what you may have forgotten, repressed or didn’t even realize was important to you!
Feel good about purging the negative out. Take time on your solo retreat to ‘go there’. Into that space you keep hidden far away. It takes too much of your energy to avoid it.
Bring tissues. Cry if you need to. Scream at the top of your lungs if it releases you.
Welcome the feelings of goodness. Let them rise up and consume you. Dance! Spread your arms and twirl around. (yeah, I know, sounds weird, but if feels good!!)
Rejoice in YOU!
~ Get Excited for your Solo Retreat ~
You are about to escape from your responsibilities. As crazy as this sounds, it is true. Follow these 6 steps and you will escape the pressure of your high paced life.
YOU are the coolest person you know! Seriously. Who knows what you need better than you? Nobody!
LET’S DO THIS!!!
Seriously Impactful Solo Retreat ~ 6 Steps Away
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- Set an intention
- Choose your location
- Prepare your agenda
- Create a supply list
- Move into your headspace
- Execution
1. Set An Intention
It’s not for me, or anyone else, to guess at what your intentions are for this solo retreat. Each of us is on our own journey. The roads we take are YOUnique; each with their own set of obstacles. It is, however, incredibly important for you to do.
By setting an intention, you are consciously thinking about what it is you wish to achieve through your solo retreat. Take the time to really consider why you need this solo retreat.
Now, grab your journal, turn to a fresh new page and formalize your intention into a written statement. Don’t fret about being locked in. Life is fluid and you can always change your intention if necessary.
A Powerful Guide To Setting Intentions – Minimalism Made Simple
The Power of Setting Daily Intentions (and How to Do It – The Blissful Mind
2. Choose Your Location
For contextual purposes, if your mind is creating visions of extravagant, expensive and luxurious locations, you should tell it to settle down. This is not a destination vacation. An introspective solo retreat is much deeper and a thousand times more meaningful. In fact, if you are to do this right, the more low key, the better.
The ideal location will be cozy, quaint, warm and comfy. Somewhere you can put your feet up, meditate, roll out a yoga mat or fluff up pillows to curl up with a book.
It will be important to hear yourself think and settle into your space. The energy that surrounds you should be calming and peaceful. Think of seaside, oceanside, quaint town or forest location. Steer away from a noisy metropolis.
Comfort is of up-most importance.
Be sure to select a place where you feel safe.
Very Important Things to Consider
Drive-able
Be far enough away that you are not tempted to leave for any ‘normal’ life reason; yet close enough that you are not spending a fortune on airfare, rental car, gas and tolls. You don’t want to worry about overwhelming travel logistics. Keep it simple.
Kitchen
The food we eat has an effect on how we feel physically and emotionally. Plan meals and pack food. Think organic, clean, nourishing foods. Honor your dietary needs (vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, etc). Remove tempting foods that make you feel bad or unhealthy.
If planning and packing food is not appealing to you, select a location that has restaurants within close proximity that offer a good variety of healthy foods. Be careful not to overindulge.
Amenities
Carefully review the list of amenities and pack accordingly.
For example: is there a Keurig, drip machine or French Press? What type of coffee bean do you need (besides an indulgent one)? Are you planning to cook? What equipment is listed for the kitchen?
Recommended amenities: hot tub, pool, kayak/canoe, firepit, fireplace, sun deck, scenic views, streams, bicycle or walking paths on location or close by.
Proximity to other people
This is a solo retreat. It’s important to have the dedicated time to yourself. A talkative neighbor or families with children are quite detrimental. Look for a location that offers a certain level of privacy while also ensuring safety.
Local Attractions
A poppin’ night club or an amusement park are not what we are looking for. Research attractions and experiences that are conducive to spending time with yourself. Consider places that will open new pathways on your journey of self-discovery.
Recommended attractions/experiences: yoga studios, meditation classes, a small town to stroll through, places of worship, art galleries, local bookstores, musical offerings such as drum circles, nature hikes, beaches, etc.
Comfort
Look at all the location photos you can find. Is there a couch? Does it look hard or soft? Is there room for you to lay on the floor and stretch? Is it aesthetically pleasing to you? Do you see yourself ‘sinking into’ the location? Is it a place you wish to find yourself in?
Reviews
Read them! If it’s not rated 4 or better, keep looking.
Suggestion: go to the worst reviews first to find the opportunities. You may discover the poor comments highlight what you are looking for! For example, if the worst reviews are about the place being too quiet, that’s a wish list item for you! If the worst reviews talk about lack of cleanliness or noise levels, keep looking.
3. Prepare Your Agenda
Take the time in advance to carefully prepare your agenda. The goal is to create a framework; a guide to give you direction that is also simple and flexible.
Suggestions on activities you can plan:
5 Deep & Meaningful Exercises for Your Journey of Self Discovery
10 Soul Searching Steps to Achieve the Best Version of You
Consider local attractions:
If there is a hike you wish to experience, do a Nature Walking Meditation!
Where is the hike located? Is it a busy park? If so, arrive early, before the crowds, to have special time with yourself.
Is there a yoga class you can participate in, or an art gallery to visit? Check hours, class offerings and plan accordingly.
Be careful and don’t schedule all your time away from where you are staying. Your time alone is precious and critical for a successful solo retreat. Leave a boatload of time for reflection.
Schedule time to meditate, journal, sit in the hot tub, read a magazine or work on a puzzle.
Very Important: Schedule Check-Ins
The most challenging part of truly ‘getting away’ is separating yourself from your responsibilities.
You have a busy life and people depend on you.
It is important to recognize that a constant pulling back of your time will be detrimental to your solo retreat. You need to disconnect and be in your ‘head-space’ for long periods of time. That is not possible if you are on the phone all day with your spouse, parents, children, friends, co-workers, boss, etc.
Set expectations well in advance of your retreat.
Make sure everyone understands you intend to unplug. Literally. No phone at your side. Your goal is to put it away for long periods of time.
Speak with your family, your boss, your friends and your co-workers. Ask what they need from you before you leave. Decide together what is reasonable and satisfy their needs. This will allay their concerns as well as yours.
If you have children, make appropriate arrangements. Go to great lengths so you confidently know they will be well cared for. You want your mind to be at ease and not constantly worrying about them.
Same goes for your parents or anyone else in your care.
Be sure everyone knows you are intentionally making arrangements to ensure their needs are taken care of, so you can take care of your own needs.
While on your retreat, complete all phone calls within a predetermined time bracket.
For example: At 9am you have a call with the kids followed by a call to your parents. At 7pm you will have a goodnight call with your spouse. Set an alarm so you don’t worry about missing the designated check-in.
It is critical to make these arrangements, so your mind is at ease; free from worry over the responsibilities you are stepping away from.
4. Create A Supply List
As you prepare your supply list, remember the purpose of your solo retreat is to withdraw into yourself. Taking peaceful, intentional time for an inward journey of self-discovery. Be mindful of what you bring with you to support your purpose.
Leave any items that will detract you from your intention. Take what you need for your planned exercises and activities. Add in things that will support you and make you comfortable.
Click below to download a free Retreat Supply Checklist.
5. Move Into Your Headspace
A day or two before your solo retreat, re-visit your intention. Indulge in meditation.
Sit in mindful thought about what you wish to achieve on your retreat.
Review your schedule and ensure it still aligns with your intention. Make adjustments as needed. Re-confirm your designated check-ins.
Begin to move into your ‘headspace’.
Your solo retreat begins the minute you get into your car to leave. This means your car ride is part of your retreat. How will you use that time?
- Podcasts
- Music
- Audible book
- Silence
Check the access in your car. Is your Bluetooth working? Can you connect to your audible book? What podcasts will you listen to? How long are they; will you need more than one? How will you listen to your music? (Radio stations may not be available). Do you have SXM? Can you connect to Pandora?
Of up-most importance: whatever you choose for your car ride, make sure it is positive, calming, empowering, supportive and centering. Intentionally avoid anything that is negative, aggressive or confrontational.
Here are some audible book suggestions that can be easily purchased from Amazon.
Just click on your choice below!
6. Execution
Yay! You made it! Get ready because all your hard work is going to pay off. The experience about to unfold will be moving and beautiful.
Upon arrival, unpack yourself. Settle into your space. Some suggestions:
- Set up your kitchen/food supplies
- Select the best location for your altar and set it up
- Place your yoga mat & meditation bolster in a designated location
- Establish your reading nook and put your books/magazines there
- Check out your bed, pillows, blankets
- Sage your space, cleanse with incense or light your candle
Now that you are settled, you are ready to officially kick off your solo retreat!
Sit in your meditation space.
Close your eyes, take a few deep, cleansing breaths.
Stay there in stillness and silence for a few moments.
Welcome yourself.
Verbally state your intention.
Make a commitment to yourself to be tender, attentive and kind.
As you move through your solo retreat, welcome and respect every emotion. They are a significant steps on your journey of self-discovery.
Feel the emotions, examine them, sit in them. See how amazing, drastic and dramatic your emotions are. Ride through them. Write about them in your journal. Dissect them. Seek to find the source. Decide if you keep the source or let it go.
At any time, you may realize you are experiencing something very deep. Don’t rush through that the experience. Stay where you need to stay for as long as you need to be there. Experiencing something significant, after all, is why you are on this retreat to begin with.
On your final morning, take a few moments to reflect.
Sit in your meditation space.
Close your eyes, take a few deep, cleansing breaths.
Stay there in stillness and silence for a few moments.
Notate your post-retreat intentions.
Say goodbye to your space.
Verbally thank yourself.
Give yourself a great big bear hug.
~take forward the peace & love you feel~
Retreat Supplies & Product Recommendations
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