All my adult life I’ve been someone who retreats.
A retreater, if you will.
a (1) : an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable (2) : the process of receding from a position or state attained <the retreat of a glacier> b (1) : the usually forced withdrawal of troops from an enemy or from an advanced position (2) : a signal for retreating c (1) : a signal given by bugle at the beginning of a military flag-lowering ceremony (2) : a military flag-lowering ceremony
2: a place of privacy or safety : refuge
3: a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction
This cottage in Haiku is a great place to retreat. It's available year round!!
(Erm. I’m talking about #2 and #3, though #1 could apply sometimes.)
Retreating is a way to:
- Recharge my batteries by not having other people around (much as I love my work as a therapist, it can be intense or draining at times)
- Get space to work through personal issues (yes, therapists get them too)
- Fill the creative well
- Enjoy nature
- Tap into the spiritual
- Have time to wander, ponder, and truly experience NOW
- Work on enjoyable projects
Madonna contemplates.
How to get the most out of your retreat:
- Have an idea of what you hope to get out of it. Set an intention. The clearer you can be about this the more likely it will be fulfilled.
- Pack special clothes that signal your subconscious mind that this is a special time apart from normal life. (I have a beautiful, butter-yellow flannel shirt I have been wearing on my retreats for years. I don’t wear it otherwise, and just seeing it in my closet makes me feel good)
- Go somewhere special. I am always on the lookout for an inexpensive, beautiful setting to retreat in. Exploring and experiencing different locations is part of the joy of retreating- or use one special place and create memories there.
I spent two weeks at this awesome Mendocino, Ca. retreat spot, WRITING
- Bring comforts. I bring music in the theme I’m hoping to elicit, a scent candle, projects and art supplies, nice lotion for bedtime, good quality food to eat.
- Turn off technology (if you can).
Stayed in La Jolla here last year for writing retreat. It was wonderful!
A word about group retreats for yoga, writing, therapy,art, cooking etc. I've been to some great ones, and they can really help break through a stuck spot. I don't really consider them a retreat, though, because usually you are on a schedule and hard at work with whatever the agenda is.
I like making my own agenda, and like fine wine, one's own company improves with age.
Have you ever taken a personal retreat? Would you consider doing it?
Your retreat is fabulous. With a location like that, you don’t need yellow flannels. Great inspiration. I felt as if I was in a spa with the warm rocks and light oil scents. It was relaxing to read your article.
Retreats look beautiful and that’s part of their allure. I suppose if there was one I could go to where I could totally by myself, with no rules and without feeling the pressure of borrowing such an exquisite space, I might enjoy them more. This was my retreat experience: http://janedevin.com/2008/02/03/579/
I like the cheap motel retreat (the more deserted the motel the better) in part because of the austerity. No beautiful distractions, no ocean breezes that make me want to soak up the sun, no comfortable bed that beckons for a nap. Rough towels, coffee in styro cups, and no feeling that I’m wasting anything precious…
Yet there’s this part of me, Toby, that would love to own a place like that. I think it might be quite different.
I get this. I’m also from a deprived background, and that’s why the luxury of time and space and no one to please but myself in a beautiful setting feels so very awesome.
Where is that retreat at exactly? I often think of looking for one here on Oahu but that is just my problem. I always think, but never act.