Explore and Thrive
Connecting people with fun finds, simple tips, and one another
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • /
  • Thrive

My Recipe for a Personal Retreat

Overlook at St. Mary’s Sewanee, TN.
Retreat Center in Sewanee, Tennessee.

Every few months I need to take a break. I need quiet. I need a space without the normal pressures of life, the freedom to think, process, walk, journal, pray, or relax. I need time without anyone needing me, and asking for anything. I don’t need long, 24 hours will do.

Retreat Center in Marin Co., CA.
Silent Retreat Center in Marin County, California.

I’ve learned over the years about my tendency to put too much pressure on myself. To always feel the need to work, and mark things off my to-do list. The problem is the list never ends. Relaxation doesn’t come naturally to me. I’ve found the only real way for me to relax is to go away, alone, ideally for at least one evening every three months. It’s a way to reset myself and it helps tremendously. I’ve mentioned before my struggle with mental health and a personal retreat is a healthy way for me to be proactive about my care. I prioritize it, it’s that important to me.

Tree lines road

Why Take a Personal Retreat

The first thing to do is to decide why you want to take a retreat and what you would like to get out of it.

Out of this list what things appeal to you?

Personal Retreat List

Where to Stay for a Personal Retreat

I’ve stayed in all kinds of places such as a hotel room, a tiny home, an Airbnb, and a retreat center. My favorite would be a private cabin at a retreat center. I love the simplicity and usually, there’s no T.V. so I have fewer distractions. Also, retreat centers are usually priced very reasonably. Being surrounded by nature for my retreat is ideal.

It’s important that it’s not in your home. I’ve tried to have a retreat in our sunroom but it just didn’t work.

It helps to research retreat centers in your area, call them up and talk to them about what your needs are and what type of place they offer.

Bedroom at Retreat Cabin
Retreat Cabin in Liberty, Tennessee.

What to do on a Personal Retreat

Whatever you need/want to do. A wise friend, Lisa, once said if all you do on your retreat is rest then it’s successful. That statement has always meant so much to me. It takes all of the pressure off. Just be, just rest, if more comes, then that’s great.

Bench at Penuel Ridge Retreat Center Ashland City, TN
Retreat Center in Ashland City, Tennessee.

Ideas of Things to Do on a Personal Retreat

  • I’ve heard a personal retreat defined as time away to do whatever you don’t normally have time to do.
  • For some reason for me, I seem to like it best if it’s a totally quiet retreat. No audiobooks, podcasts, TV, or music. That might not be the same for you.
  • On one of my first personal retreats, the one I was contemplating if I should marry my now husband, I read Can You Drink the Cup. It’s a great book about life, decisions, and how to live fully with joy, sorrow, community, and the Lord.
  • I spend a lot of time reading through old journals and writing my current thoughts down.
  • I’ll go through my Bible and reread highlighted passages and reflect on them.
  • If a decision of some sort is looming I’ll write a pros and cons list.
  • Sometimes I simply organize our family calendar and get caught up with desk work.
  • I like to take walks in the woods or sit on benches watching the sun rise or set.
  • Sometimes I dream about a project or a new season of life.
  • I try to sleep in and not look at the clock.
  • I like to read through the Names of God Prayer Guide (Get your printable copy here – free).
  • It’s so great to spend uninterrupted time in prayer. Here are some resources on prayer.
  • I like to relax, take a bath, paint my nails, and crack open a book I’ve been wanting to read.
  • It’s a time for me to check in with myself and evaluate how I’ve been feeling.
  • A time to review everything I’m currently involved in and see if any of that needs to change.
  • I like to put my phone on airplane mode to remove all distractions from the outside world.
  • I try to not buy anything, watch anything, or talk to anyone (other than God). Although, at times there have been other retreat participants that have truly blessed my life.

I’d love to hear if you’re interested in this or would like to try it.

You may also like Self-Care ideas or How to Connect with God.

Share this:

  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posted on 09/30/2022 by Franci. This entry was posted in Thrive and tagged how to take a personal retreat, personal retreat, what to do on a personal retreat, when a personal retreat is needed, where to stay for a personal retreat, why go on a personal retreat. Bookmark the permalink.
What are Your Favorite Fall Bakes?
A Glorious Middle Tennessee Afternoon: Loveless Cafe and Natchez Trace

2 thoughts on “My Recipe for a Personal Retreat”

  1. Andrea M Nyberg says:
    09/30/2022 at 12:58 pm

    This is an exceptionally helpful post. I loved everything about it. So inspiring, yet so tangible. Thanks so much for these tips, Franci!

    1. Franci says:
      09/30/2022 at 1:19 pm

      Thanks, Andrea! Personal retreats have meant so much to me over the years. I usually come home refreshed which is a gift to myself and my family. Thanks for the comment and the encouragement.

Comments are closed.

    Family of four being silly with pastel brick background and bright clothing.

    Hi! I’m Franci, I’m so glad you’re here.
    I can’t wait to connect with you.

    • Connect (33)
    • Create (62)
    • Design (20)
    • Explore (23)
    • Thrive (53)

    OTHER POSTS

    • A Goodbye to My Aunt Reta
    • Family Valentine Card 2025
    • Halloween Door Decor Tradition
    • Our Recent Sunday Evenings: New Rhythms
    • Books I Read in 2023
    • Family Valentine Card 2024
    • Easy Landscaping: Nashville Yard Tour
    • Family Valentine Card 2023
    • Books I Read in 2022
    • Simple Ways to Focus on Jesus During the Christmas Season
    • Easy Way for Kids to Pack for Trips
    • Introducing Our Kids to Coffee Shop Culture
    • A Fall Chat with Apple Cider in Hand
    • A Glorious Middle Tennessee Afternoon: Loveless Cafe and Natchez Trace
    • My Recipe for a Personal Retreat
    • What are Your Favorite Fall Bakes?
    • Saying Goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II
    • Sunny September Chat
    • Simple Ideas for Self-Care
    • The 7-Eleven Season (Ages 7 & 11)
    • Note to Self: Mistakes
    • Road Tripping Solo with Kids
    • A Fun Way for Kids to Learn During the Summer
    • Painting of a Front Door: Transform your Curb Appeal
    • 48 Hours in Charming Chattanooga, TN
    • My New Etsy Shop – Buyer’s Eye
    • Free Printable Spring Fun List
    • Revitalizing Hike at Radnor Lake, TN
    • Game Galaxy Arcade in Smyrna, Tennessee
    • How We Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
    • Book Picks By 7-Year-Old Boys
    • Our Kids Cook Dinner (One Night a Week)
    • Family Valentine Card 2022
    • The Many Books I Read in 2021
    • January Chat
    • Printable Winter Fun List
    • Lots of Stocking Stuffer Toy Ideas for Kids
    • The Greatest Gift
    • Shop these Great Small Businesses for the Holidays
    • Christmas Decorating Chat
    • Leaf Creature Craft: An Easy Fun Fall Activity
    • Christmas Budget and Budget Busters
    • Aren’t These Autumn Maple Leaves Gorgeous?
    • Showing Up for the Present Moment
    • My Spiritual Journey
    • Team Thanksgiving!
    • My Mental Health Journey
    • The Parthenon in Nashville and Taking Risks
    • My Fitness Journey (Exercise in my 40’s)
    • How can I pray for you?
    • Festive Fall and Winter Holiday Dish Towels
    • Ideas for Travel Entertainment (other than screens)
    • A Chat in Cooler Weather
    • Extroverts, Introverts, and Parenting
    • Anniversary Weekend in Asheville, NC and Home Tour of the Largest Home in America
    • Let’s Talk Fall Drinks
    • Printable Fall Fun List
    • Preparing Yourself for Fall
    • Halloween Costume Chat
    • Printable Prayer Guide: The Names of God
    • Catching Up
    • An End of August Chat
    • Books that Teach Kids About Money (Kid Tested and Approved)
    • Is a Perfectly Organized Bookshelf Overrated?
    • A Summer Chat with my Shades On
    • Aren’t These Everyday Dish Towels So Cute?
    • Even with Dashed Expectations a Weekend in Monteagle, Tennessee Still Delivers
    • The Day Trader Joe’s Opened in OKC!
    • High Five to School Being Out
    • Social Media Breaks
    • Summer Schedule for Kids at Home
    • Gearing Up for Summer
    • Transform Old Furniture with a Little Love and Paint
    • Peony Flowers About to Pop
    • First Year of Elementry School
    • Books I’m Reading
    • What’s Blooming with You?
    • The Crazy Month of May
    • Parent and Child Question Journal
    • Corners for Raised Bed Gardening
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Lessons We’ve Learned from Moving
    • Beauty is Up Ahead
    • Prayer Resources
    • Easter Dress and Tip for Toy Clutter
    • Asian Dramas that I Love
    • Birthday Week
    • Our Spring Traditions: Blooming and Hopeful
    • A Heavy Heart
    • Easy Bathroom Refresh Without Renovation

If you purchase from a link on this blog a small percentage of the sale may come back to me. You are never charged more for the product. It’s a way to keep this site going and I’m very selective about the things I list. It’s mostly things we already own and love or things I think you would enjoy. Thank you for reading!

EXPLORE AND THRIVE

  • Contact
  • Welcome from Instagram
  • About
    • Privacy Policy

Subscribe

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts.

Powered by
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d