I came across an interesting article today, titled something like “How to Organize Your Own Private, At-Home Yoga Retreat?”. Just the other day I was thinking about how I’m always planning and organizing things related to workshops and retreats, imagining beautiful locations and good combinations of classes, exercises, music… but I so rarely treat myself to the same. That’s why this article came at a good time, because it suggests some excellent and very doable steps.
What is retreat and what is its purpose?
What does a retreat actually entail, and what is its purpose? From my perspective, the goal of a retreat is to step away from your usual routine and daily schedules, the people you care for, and your regular work, in order to create more space for yourself, to rest, to make decisions, to find a bit more peace, and to have time for activities that bring you joy. Activities are usually relaxing, whether it’s yoga or some tool for introspection that will help us overcome certain obstacles we’ve encountered. Most retreats are organized outside of cities, and the setting and contact with nature play a big role.
My retreat
Recently, I stayed alone in my apartment for 24 hours, and what happened during that time actually resembles a retreat, because it included everything that relaxes, delights, and fulfills me, and excluded everything I didn’t feel like doing. After I came across an article suggesting something similar—to have a retreat in your own home—I realized I had actually done it spontaneously. I was thrilled to realize that I had actually accomplished so much in 24 hours, and that if it had lasted the whole weekend and I had prepared a little better in advance, I would have been a completely new person on Monday.
My schedule happened to clear up, my family went their separate ways, and I decided to take the dog for a walk in the Medvednica mountains, then buy lunch (instead of cooking), lie down on the couch (which I so rarely do), listen to music on the record player, meditate, then watch a couple of episodes of a series, meet a friend for a glass of wine and then go to the movies, work out in the morning, put on a face and hair mask, think. Sometimes it’s nice to get that time that isn’t completely defined and let your inner desires guide you.
How to make your own retreat
So, here are some suggestions and tips on how to have a retreat in your own apartment:
– take time for yourself, even if it’s only for 24 hours, but believe me, that can be more than enough. If you can get time from Friday to Sunday, even better.
– Make sure the other members of your family will be adequately taken care of and entertained, especially if you’re the type prone to guilt, which is the last thing we want on a retreat.
– Unplug a bit from your phone and social media. Have your phone with you, of course, but try to let important people know you’re on a retreat, avoid checking social media out of habit, and only answer calls when it’s necessary.
– Decide in advance which activities you’ll do and then make a rough plan to see what “fits,” so that running from one activity to the next doesn’t become stressful. When we feel like we’re missing out in multiple areas, we tend to overbook our free time, hoping to catch up on everything we’ve missed.
– Decide whether you want to catch up on socializing during that period or if you’d prefer to be alone. We can also go on a retreat with friends, but sometimes we need time when we won’t communicate much
. – Plan your meals in advance, preferably the kinds of food you’ve really been craving. Let it be light, healthy food and a treat you only allow yourself from time to time.
– Tidy up the space beforehand so you won’t be distracted by clutter, laundry, or dust, for example. Put fresh linens on the bed, get some scented sticks, and arrange the space for yourself as you would for a guest.
– Leave some free time in this schedule, just as you would on a retreat. Time to soak it all in, write it down, analyze it, and simply be with yourself.
The goal is to get what we need, and it doesn’t have to be in Bali or on top of a mountain; sometimes you can do great things for yourself much closer to home (which by no means rules out Bali). A retreat at home, exactly the one you’ve created for yourself, might contribute even more to your relaxation. You haven’t used up your annual leave, there’s no risk that you won’t like the instructor or the accommodations, and you don’t have the stress of travel or the time needed to acclimate to a new place and new people.
In today’s world and with today’s lifestyle, we often put ourselves last, waiting for the time when we can finally dedicate ourselves. The bad news is that there’s a chance we’ll never get to that time. The good news is that we don’t have to wait for it; we can create it ourselves.
