Notes from Retreat

No internet. No cell service. No tv. No people. Sound like a dream, or your worst nightmare?

I took myself on a solo 48-hour retreat, tucked away in a little cabin in the woods, perched on a cliff above the ocean. It was such a perfect secluded oasis that I’m almost reluctant to share the location – but if you head out past Sooke on Vancouver Island, towards Port Renfrew… if you know, you know.

My goal was broad, but purposeful: remove all distractions, and dream big.

I needed time and space to get really clear about what I want out of this wild and precious life. There are big changes coming up for me, and having this vision crystal clear is going to be so important to guide my choices and keep me going through the inevitable ups and downs.

To properly hear my inner voice, I had to hit pause on communication – I love connecting with people, and this means I’m in near constant communication with colleagues, clients, friends, and family. I also needed to take a breather on projects: I’ve always got some project or another on the go, and if I’m not actively doing the thing, my brain is buzzing away planning it.

Aside from pens, highlighters, notebooks, and washi tape, here’s my key takeaways for a successful retreat:

set your intention

What’s your why? What do you need? Is it making a big decision, creating a plan, making space for creativity, or pure relaxation and restoration?

Create your environment

What do you need in order to meet that intention? Is it a full digital detox? Do you need to be in a new location, or would you prefer to get cozy at home?

document your reflections

Find a way to capture your thoughts and learnings, whether through journaling, a creative art piece, a voice memo, video recording, or a conversation with a friend.

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