A Personal Retreat Might Be The Most Important Thing You Do This Year
When was the last time you truly took some time for yourself? I mean real, quality time. Not just a quick break to eat lunch at your desk, but real relaxation and reflection on what's important in life. If you're like me (and I hope you aren't), it's been awhile. But this year, I'm making a commitment to myself to do at least one self-retreat. This article covers the definition of a personal retreat and tips for incorporating this practice into your life.
What is a personal retreat?
A personal retreat is a time for you to focus on your inner self. It's not a vacation, but it can be an extremely effective way to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The best part about doing a personal retreat is that there are no rules or expectations; you do whatever feels right for your particular situation at the time.
The activities below can help set up or enhance your own personal retreat:
Writing or journaling doesn't have to be about anything specific.
Meditation (a guided meditation can be helpful if this is new for you).
Yoga (the stretches will help loosen up those tense muscles).
Learn to be content without distractions.
You might think that being able to focus on the moment is a nice thing to have, but it's actually essential.
Being able to focus on what you are doing rather than worrying about your phone or Facebook will help you feel more relaxed and happy. When you are present in the moment and not distracted by technology, it can be easier for your brain to let go of bad thoughts and feelings as well as good ones!
Go somewhere you feel safe and comfortable.
You need to go somewhere that feels safe and comfortable. If you are not comfortable, this will not work. You won't be able to relax, so pick the place that makes you feel at ease.
You can choose a hotel or resort or stay with family or friends who have space for guests (if they don't mind). If neither of those options sound appealing and money isn't an issue for you, consider renting out a cabin in the woods for yourself—it's nice to get away from everything sometimes!
Don't turn it into an escape from your problems.
One of the most common mistakes people make when they go on a personal retreat is using it as an escape from their problems. This is understandable—a lot of people have been feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and stressed out lately. But if you use your personal retreat as a way to avoid dealing with these problems (or even just thinking about them), then you won't be able to learn how to better handle them when you return home.
The goal of taking time off isn't so much about escaping your life as it is about reflecting on it with fresh eyes and gaining new perspectives on how things could be done differently in the future. You can use this time away from everything else going on in your life as an opportunity for reflection. What do I want my life to look like? What kind of person do I want myself or others around me to perceive me as being? How am I currently doing at achieving those things?
Don't think about things you need to do as soon as you get back home (or back at work).
One of the most common mistakes people make when they come back from a retreat is that they immediately jump into their normal routine. Instead of taking some time to ground themselves and reflect on what they learned during their time away, they rush back into life as if nothing had changed.
This is not only dangerous but also unnecessary—and it's something I did myself when I returned from my first personal retreat in 2014. I remember feeling like I was on the edge of something big—like there were all these new ideas swirling around in my head about how to live differently and be happier, but no one else seemed interested in hearing them! The problem wasn't that no one cared about me; it was just that everyone else was busy living their lives too, and there wasn't really room for me or anyone else's problems right then (or ever).
Taking some time for yourself can be good for your physical and mental health, but don't rush right back into life after your retreat is over!
After you've taken some time for yourself, it's important to give yourself some space and not rush back into your regular routine. You might feel like you want to get back out there right away, but it can take a few days or even weeks before you're ready to be fully present again. It's important not only physically but mentally as well.
Take advantage of this time by taking care of yourself—eat well, exercise regularly (or try new activities), spend quality time with friends or family members who make you happy—and let these things support your overall well-being!
You may also discover that after some time away from work and other obligations, there are ways in which those obligations could be improved so that they no longer stress out your life as much—perhaps there's something about them that wasn't working for you previously? Maybe there are better ways you could manage my workload? These questions may come up naturally during reflection periods such as this one; however, if they don't, then consider consulting with someone else who knows about these things, like a career counselor, coach, or therapist, who could help identify areas where improvement is most urgently needed before making any big decisions about changing careers entirely.
Final thoughts on why you should take a personal retreat this year.
Take some time for yourself and go somewhere you can relax. The benefits of a retreat can be immense, so don't let yourself get caught up in all the things that need to be done right away when you get back home or back at work. Take some time first to reflect on what it means for you personally before jumping right back into life as usual.
