What is a “self-retreat” and why should you go on one?
A self retreat is exactly what it sounds like, a retreat for yourself.
It’s an opportunity for you to take the time to pour into yourself when you need it most.
It’s like a group retreat, but just you’re alone.
Keep reading to learn more about what a self-retreat is, why someone would want to go on a self-retreat, and how to plan your own self-retreat.
What is a self retreat?
A self retreat is a getaway just for you—but it doesn’t even have to be a physical getaway.
It’s a retreat where you take intentional time to do the things that recharge you.
Since we’re all different, a self-retreat is going to look different for each individual. For some people, it’s going to look like unplugging for the weekend, lounging at home in sweats, reading good books, and taking bubble baths. For others, it’s going to look like booking a hotel room in the city, spending time exploring a new area, trying new foods, and taking in a show.
The goal of a self-retreat is to recharge.
It’s to take time away from your everyday routine to do things that excited you, bring you joy, and make you feel like your best self.
One thing that I love about self-retreats is that it’s a way of intentionally vacationing just with yourself. When you take the time to create a plan of what you’re going to do on your self-retreat, you open the door to creating a really enjoyable and relaxing time with just yourself.
Why would someone want to go on a self-retreat?
For introverts, a self-retreat may sound like a dream, and there are a hundred reasons why they would want to go. But for extroverts, a self-retreat may sound like a silent nightmare.
Everyone is going to have their own reasons for a self-retreat.
You may want to go on a self retreat to spend time reflecting, recharging, and gaining clarity on what you need to change in your life to be your best self.
Or you may want to go on a self retreat to actually take the time to do the things in life that you love to do but never prioritize.
A self retreat is a way of showing yourself love and care. You deserve to take a break, and you deserve to pamper yourself.
A few benefits of a self-retreat include:
Getting away from the stress
Getting more sleep
Enjoying the outdoors
Taking time for yourself
Recharging
Relaxing
How to facilitate your own self-retreat?
What things make you feel rejuvenated?
I encourage you to reflect on this question as you plan your self-retreat. It’s going to help you make a plan that works for you.
Making a plan for your self-retreat will help you actually benefit from the time. If you just pick a weekend to “self-care” but don’t make any plans, you may end up just mindlessly scrolling social media, buying things to fill a void, or missing the point of the time off.
For a self-retreat, I’ve found that the more you schedule things the better.
Get specific.
If you want to spend time journaling, set a time for when to start, how long you want to write for, what you want to write about, you can even choose the specific location.
It’s okay if you stray from your plan, but having a plan will help you avoid wasting your time.
When you’re planning your self-retreat, don’t be afraid to make it as simple or extravagant as you want. You know yourself, and you know what is going to make you feel your best.
Some people need a weekend at home alone, while other people could find a lakeside cabin to be more rejuvenating.
This is your self-retreat. You get to make the rules.
I recommend that you start by picking a date, and locking that in on your calendar. Then, take the time to plan it out. This is going to make your retreat more impactful.
What happens if I feel like I need guidance on my retreat?
So, for some people, a self-retreat may not seem like the best option.
I recognize that people may feel so disconnected from their authentic selves that planning a retreat that they’ll enjoy feels more draining than life-giving.
Though a group retreat isn’t technically a self-retreat, I think that you could have a self-retreat with other people.
Hear me out.
The goal of a self-retreat is to spend time with yourself doing things you love. But what if you did that, just with a group of people who are there with the same goal?
Depending on where you’re at in life, the thought of planning a retreat on your own may feel a little suffocating. You may feel like you need a break to rejuvenate but you don’t have the capacity or means to do all the planning.
This is where I could help. I host retreats (like Rooted) that are intended to help women find balance in their everyday life (just like a self retreat). Though my retreats are group retreats, they have elements of self retreats because they’re often made up of people who you don’t know who want the same thing as you—balance.
On a group retreat, you’re able to take time on your own to learn more about what you need and how to find balance, but you get the added benefit of connecting with people who are in a similar space in life.
I like to view my retreats as a combination of self retreats and group retreats. They’re not a time for you and your besties to go to a lake house, but they’re also not a time where you’re expected to do all the planning and guide yourself.
I think we could all benefit from taking a retreat. Whether you’re interested in facilitating your own self retreat, or you’re interested in joining a Harvest retreat, I hope that you feel empowered to do what’s right for you.
