Home retreat: the practice of doing exactly what you want
How to create your own personal retreat
Are you yearning for a retreat? A moment to dedicate to yourself, to practice, reflect, write or create?
Sometimes we get stuck thinking we have to travel or ask for someone to create the structure for us before we will dive into the space we long for. It's a courageous step to learn and practice self care. It is a powerful medicine to give yourself what you need and want. In this light, we have gathered some suggestions to help you create the home retreat you might be looking for this winter.
Write down the components you long for in a real retreat. Do you want to practice yoga every day and explore it further? How about meditating or writing? Would you like to try a special diet for your health? Do you want to stay home and focus on getting healthier?
Wait. Why couldn’t you? Would it be possible to retreat at home? But how can you “retreat” without going anywhere? I mean, doesn’t retreat mean getting away from home and all daily concerns?
No, it does not. You can retreat without going anywhere. The power of retreat comes from aloneness and an inviolate routine. Here are a few ideas to help you plan a special time for yourself, doing what you love.
1. Make a plan. Plan your days off. Then plan your routine. (practice, taking classes, meditation, rest, etc). It's possible to have it all. And wise to choose what will fill your soul.
2. Make an agreement with your partner, family, and/or roommates to be quiet, except for emergencies. Or, if this is not possible, keep your conversation to the mornings or evenings. Try to put some limitations on communication with others.
3. Unplug. You have got to unplug. During this time, you should use auto-responders in your email and update your voicemail message. Even if you plan to answer all your emails as part of your retreat, get off the internet to do so. You can read and reply to emails without needing an internet connection. After you finish, you can reconnect and send them all at once, but do not check any new arrivals. Promise this.
4. Prepare your space. Make it clean and neat. Wall it off with a screen if you have to. Ensure you have everything you need for your spiritual practice, studying, or creating.
5. Decide on your retreat priorities. Don’t pile on too much.
6. This is the most important suggestion: create a schedule and stick to it. You have to be ruthless about this. Schedule your entire day from morning to night. If you want unstructured free time, great. Make that part of your schedule. Believe me, if you make a schedule and then don’t honor it, the retreat magic will go away and settle somewhere else.
7. Grocery shop in advance. You don’t have to be neurotic about this, get some basics. This is generally not a good time to try that new kale juice fast or go vegan. The retreat should be relaxing. If you are trying to change your diet in any radical way, that will be stressful. Stick with your normal diet and, if anything, try to eat more lightly. It’s hard to practice or contemplate deeper truths when you feel heavy and sleepy. And of course, if you take medications, keep taking them while on retreat.
8. It is fine to leave your retreat space, especially if your retreat is longer than a few days. You can take a walk, go to the grocery store or yoga studio. It is contra-indicated to have parties and lunch dates and so on. When or if you do leave, try to hold your mind in as quiet a space as possible. Don’t listen to the radio in the car. If someone tries to strike up a conversation, keep your responses brief. Don’t dilly-dally and get back to your retreat space as soon as you can.
Finally, let me assure you (if you need it) that you deserve this time. Your brilliance is worthy of your attention. There are precious seeds within you that need watering and care. You have things to say or create that need to come into existence. Please know this. Please honor your genius. Please take the chance.
Hilary
