If you’re interested in retreating in Texas with other like-minded women, I’m thrilled to announce my first weekend retreat in five years! WOO HOO! The Revitalization Retreat will be held Friday April 1st – Sunday April 3rd, 2016 at the Retreat at Artesian Lakes about an hour northeast of Houston. There is only space for 6 professional women to join me so if you want to claim a spot, get the details here!
The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.”
Sidney J. Harris
When was the last time you gave yourself some time off to rest, relax and recharge, to focus on BE-ing and not on DO-ing?
In our fast paced, hyper-connected world with smart phones, social media and information overload, it’s easy to get so overwhelmed that you think you’ll never catch up with yourself. If you’re a partner, a parent, a business owner, a busy professional or a volunteer, the demands of others can take a toll on your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Taking yourself on retreat is a great way to press the “reset” button of your life and to connect with your intuitive, creative inner self. Whether you take three hours, an entire weekend or a full week, stepping out of “ordinary” time for a while can really help revitalize your business and your life.
How do you know if you need a retreat?
…..If you’re tired or overwhelmed by all you have “to do”
……If you’re scattered or lack focus.
…..If you can’t find peace and quiet at home or at work.
…..If your creative juices are all gone.
…..If you give your time and energy to others and routinely put yourself last.
Then you are a prime candidate for retreat!
Excuses abound when it comes to going on retreat. “I can’t afford it” you might say. “I don’t have the time.” Other gremlins in your head can proclaim “How dare you take time off just for yourself? You don’t deserve that.” Or “There’s too much to do. Going on retreat is a waste of time.”
When you can dig beyond those excuses and shift your understanding to believing that you do deserve some time for you and know that the benefits are far-reaching (rest, clarity, creativity, energy), you’re ready to start planning your retreat.
Here are 5 important elements to consider while planning your retreat:
1. Determine your purpose – Why are you going? What do you need? To rest? To be in nature? To be alone? To connect with others? What are you craving?
2. Choose a great location – It can be your backyard, a local park, the beach or half way across the country. Make sure it’s a place that feels really good to you and will nourish you for a few hours or a few days.
3. Make it a multisensory experience – Include yummy food, beautiful scenery, scented candles or inspiring music. Be aware of all your senses when experiencing retreat.
4. Create sacred space – Create a little altar – something to mark the occasion. It can be with a candle or a rock or a pile of leaves – it doesn’t need to be fancy – but something to mark that this is sacred time and space for you to retreat.
5. Pick a creative retreat process – Retreats are more meaningful if you have a process to focus your energy – it can be journaling, hiking, collaging, dancing, drumming or walking a labyrinth. Something to focus your attention so your mind’s not wandering all over the place and you are able to access your inner creative muse.
Check your calendar right now. See when you can schedule your next retreat. Remember that a retreat doesn’t have to be long or expensive to be effective. A weekend or full week is fabulous but even a Friday afternoon spent sitting at the base of a tree trunk and day dreaming can restore your soul in miraculous ways! You can go by yourself or go with others. It’s up to you!
Again, if you’re interested in retreating in Texas with other like-minded women, I’m thrilled to announce my first weekend retreat in five years! WOO HOO! The Revitalization Retreat will be held Friday April 1st – Sunday April 3rd, 2016 at the Retreat at Artesian Lakes about an hour northeast of Houston. There is only space for 6 professional women to join me so if you want to claim a spot, get the details here!
Here’s to planning your next retreat! Tell me what you’re going to do here! I’d love to hear about it!
Elizabeth
P.S. If you’re still not sure what you want or need from a retreat, next week, I’ll give some specific suggestions about what a retreat could look like. So this week, start thinking about it, OK?