When was the last time you took a retreat? The full-reboot, batteries-recharged, clarity, and perspective-regained retreat?
Leonardo da Vinci, “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation … because then the work appears smaller… and lack of harmony and proportion is more readily seen.”
How do you know you need a retreat?
Even practitioners with established self-care routines like daily monitoring, mindfulness, and Emotional Hygiene — get overwhelmed and need an upgrade sometimes.
It is a no-brainer if:
- you no longer enjoy usual stimulants (like coffee, a good movie, or even physical exercise)
- you feel stuck, your life goals are not getting any closer
- big decisions need to be made, but you cannot do it
- you are unable to recharge and have no energy to create, engage, or support others
- you are physically tired, and your vitals start sending “signals”
- you cannot fix all of the above
You do not need to take yourself this far. Even if you are in shape – a retreat may help evolve it to a new level.
Doing it like a Pro
Even a usual vacation is by default conducive to reflection:
- a change of context
- no usual stressors
- contact with nature
- physical activity
- time
These alone can clear your head and revitalize the body. But if you also add intentional practice, your battery will last longer. You may finally change things that resisted your efforts before.
Do the long-term Emotional Intelligence investment:
- restore compassionate, systems perspective
- refresh your values, life vision, and long-term goals
- is what you do daily aligned with them?
- stabilize your state of mind, regain clarity for effective practice
- do the inventory of issues that may still trigger you, and work with their causes
- increase your mindfulness coverage, add more time for Emotional Hygiene
- learn and increase your exposure to the desired views
Build helpful habits of a new you. In a safe sandbox for now. But prepare to carry on your regained clarity and constructive intention to real life.
Post-retreat — making the recharge stick
Watch for the old habits when you are back in your usual context. Stop “the old you” if needed. It is now “the new you” — with the new responses and perceptions. Monitor your residual habits and replace them with the desired responses.
Allow for the buffer time. Do not be seduced by the full battery and jump into doing as much work as you can. Give yourself time for the integration of new skills. If you are successful, the new reality and habits will set in.
New opportunities
The new you may experience different responses from people around you. If you see them differently, they may start treating you differently.
You are no longer in a box. You can see beyond the limitations you have cleared on the retreat. Be open to new opportunities that were not available to you before.