For the past several years, in July I travel to the mountains for “Spiritual Summer Camp for Grown Up Girls,” a retreat put on by my friend and spiritual director Megan. It’s a wonderful long weekend of fun, fellowship, time in nature, and personal and spiritual growth. I come back renewed and refreshed and committed to take better care of myself mentally, spiritually and physically.
This year I didn’t go because I had to prioritize other expenses, but I didn’t want to miss out on the whole retreat experience and the benefits I get from it. So I decided to have an at-home retreat on the same weekend.
Planning
It started with just a vague idea of taking a day off and spending time journaling and having some alone time. As the time approached I realized I’d better create an agenda, because without structure I’d end up sitting in the recliner eating puff corn binging House of the Dragon. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I came up with a flexible general agenda, with time allotted for journaling, creativity, meditation, movement, card readings, and learning. I didn’t choose all the specific things I would do during those periods but made notes about options.
I also decided on a whim to ask Meta AI to suggest an agenda for an at-home retreat. I never know how to use these AI things - I was impressed with the results! It wasn’t too different than the one I came up with myself.
I decided my retreat would last from Friday morning to Sunday morning and decided where my activities would take place. I let my husband know what I was doing so he could plan accordingly.
Preparing
I prepared the spaces where I would be spending time; the room I was going to spend afternoons in was pretty cluttered so the night before I got it straightened up so I wouldn’t have to waste time the next morning. The weather forecast was good enough to spend mornings outside on the back porch.
I reviewed my agenda and gathered what I would need - a journal, printouts I’d collected with information I wanted to study and journaling prompts, earbuds, Soul Collage cards, art supplies, etc. I made sure my iPad and keyboard were charged so I could use them for journaling as well.
Executing
Day One
I started my day on the back porch saying my version of the rosary. Then I put on Karen Drucker’s Thank You For This Day while I did some simple yoga stretches, sang and danced around the porch.
I set my intention for the retreat, did a Soul Collage Reading asking my cards what I needed to know for the next few days, and spent some time journaling.
Afterward I started reading some material I’d gathered about Internal Family Systems therapy. I’ve wanted to learn more about it and this was the perfect time to do it. I confess a lot of my free time is spent playing games and watching tv and reading fiction - none of which are bad in and of themselves, but I have used them to zone out/numb. Having time set aside to learn gave me the structure I needed.
I broke for lunch and went out to a fav lunch spot with Husband.
After lunch I had creative time. I’d purchased a window cling mandala kit for a weekend getaway last fall so I got it out and colored one while listening to music and singing. Another thing I don’t make time for.
Next, I used a pendulum to ask whether I should write/journal or study next. It said write so I got some journaling prompts out about people pleasing and did that.
I ended the day with a guided meditation from Insight Timer: IFS: Get to Know Any Part of You Better. I chose to get to know my people pleasing part a little, and journaled about it after.
Day Two
Day Two actually turned out to be pretty much the same as Day One as far as structure and I continued some of the activities I’d started yesterday. For my Soul Collage Reading I pulled one card for the day.
For my creative time I finished my window cling
My closing guided meditation was another great one from Insight Timer, Finding the Medicine in the Pain. It was so powerful! It involved seeing the pain as a lost child and befriending it. I incorporated some self reiki as I listened.
Day Three
The last day was really just a few hours in the morning. I did the same morning routine and did a “retreat review,” journaling about what I did and how I felt about it and what I might do differently next time. I set some intentions for the future in general and for the coming week. I did a little art.
I closed the retreat with a Soul Collage reading for the coming week.
I really loved the three cards I chose (the bottom row). The one on the left is called Freedom and the one on the right is I Believe I Can Fly. I felt the message was to go back out into the world and soar. And do some yoga because it’s been way too long. LOL
I really didn’t expect to get a lot out of my retreat time. I thought it would give me some time alone and I’d do a few fun things and a few spiritual things. But it turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. One of the intentions I set was to do this for myself regularly, probably each season.
I managed to capture some of the same feelings I have when I leave Spiritual Summer Camp - I felt peaceful, grounded, optimistic, and inspired.
Have you ever done an at-home retreat? I’d love to hear what sort of things you have done or would do.
How fun and inspiring! I am going to take a little time today and tomorrow to incorporate your ideas. Much love and thank you!! 💙
Beautiful and a wonderful idea ! 💜