A Solo Personal Retreat at Home - Your Reset Day!
or in a coffee shop, a park, or down the street
Do you ever feel like your life is so rushed that you don’t have time to think - or your to-do list hasn’t moved in days? When life becomes (too) stressful, chaotic, or just all jumbled up, a reset day can be just what you need. With a bit of planning and structure, it can be the perfect balance of self-care, breathing room, and creative thinking.
When you think about taking a solo retreat or even one day, (do you ever actually think about that LOL?) are these some of your reasons excuses for not doing it?
I can’t afford the time away.
I’m just too busy right now.
I don’t want to be alone.
I just don’t see how it would help.
I’m scared I’ll waste time and accomplish nothing.
My husband/family/business partner won’t understand.
It feels too indulgent.
I can’t deal with all of the logistics of finding the place to stay, figuring out what to do, etc.
I just don’t know where to start.
One of the most-asked questions I get is, "Kimberly, do I have to go away for several days to do a personal retreat? Can’t I just do one at home?”
Well, of course you can!
“The concept is not so much about finding three days away from home; it’s really just a willingness to step away from the world and sit with yourself.”
The concept of pressing pause, giving yourself the white space to think, and removing distractions of the everyday is something that you can do for ten minutes, or you can find an inn or a rental and go away for a couple of days. But, a one-day reset in your own town is easy logistically and can be so productive. If you want to plan a longer retreat/offsite, start by reading this post.
Three steps to planning your day of self-reflection and refocus.
Decide on Your Purpose
Find a Date
Organize Your Day
1 | PURPOSE
First, and most importantly, decide why you’re going to do this. You can’t plan the day until you know. And, if you don’t plan your day, you most likely will waste it (or start shopping or scrolling).
Do you simply need some breathing room and a place to be still for your state of mind?
Do you want to finish a project?
Do you have a big decision to make and need to think through it?
Do you want to create content for the next month?
Here’s the thing to remember: when we get out of our everyday spaces, remove distractions, and surround ourselves with quiet, we think differently.
Our perspectives shift.
We come up with new answers to old problems.
In the full GetawayDay Guide you can see some real-life Intentions that others have set.
2 | DATE
Then, find a date. Sure, you could just sit up in bed one morning, and say, “Hello, World! I’m motivated to have a day of self-care and self-reflection - let’s go!” Ummmmmmm . . . .right. You need to write it on your calendar like it’s any other appointment. Because that’s what it is, an appointment with yourself.
3 | ORGANIZE
In the full GetawayDay Guide, there is a much more detailed section on this.
THE SPACE
Decide where you’re going to spend the day. Yes, you could be in your backyard, but it makes such a difference if you can get out of your house. This is because when we remove ourselves from our everyday environment, we literally have new thoughts - see things differently - come up with new solutions to old problems.
Please do not discount the power of this.
A library, a favorite coffee shop, a park, a hotel lobby, a friend’s back porch (if she is gone for the day).
Choose a place that is as distraction-free as possible.
Be in or near nature - at least for part of the day.
Choose a place that is calming, quiet, and inspiring if possible.
THE AGENDA
Create a loose agenda based on your Intention for the day. I like to call this, “an agenda filled with grace.”
How to start the day:
Do you want to start the day with coffee and a walk?
An invigorating fitness class?
A stretch class?
Or, do you want to jump right into your thinking and reflection?
Pro tip: make sure you move your body, whether it is a walk, or a class, or just several yoga stretches by yourself.
Wrap-Up
Are you going to take another walk? Sit in a church? Have a glass of wine or take yourself out to dinner? Have an idea, but be open to what feels good.
SUPPLIES/TOOLS
Think through what will help you have the best day. The Checklist has a list for you to consider.
Notebook/Journal
Earbuds or headphones (great if you want to appear to be busy so no one interrupts you!)
Favorite pens
A book that speaks to you
A stack of quote cards
Maybe (maybe) your laptop
A Getaway Day is similar to a full Personal or Solo Retreat, but with a smaller commitment and easier setup, which probably already makes you say, “whew!”
Just remember that without the elements (both good and bad) of everyday life, you are free to “try on” whatever it is about yourself you’d like to explore more. It’s like going into a dress shop and trying on something you don’t typically wear. How do you feel in that sexy dress, or the bomber jacket?
Whether you aim to have a spiritual, artistic, adventuresome, active/athletic, cultural, or self-reflective Getaway Day, it will be worth it.
You may have conversations with yourself that simply don’t happen when you are running about in your everyday life.
Let me know how it goes - I mean it - I love hearing from you!
