My Recipe for a Personal Retreat

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.