How to Create A Home Retreat
When life becomes increasingly complex, the ability to pull back, breathe deep, and create space becomes increasingly necessary. Humans are reflective beings who require rest to think clearly and carefully and space to fully feel the range of our experiences.
“To pull back” is the meaning at the heart of the word retreat.
My practice of retreating began in a spiritual and religious context. Those retreats focused on maintaining shared belief, deepening cognitive knowledge about the Christian faith, listening to messages from a particular leader or speaker (usually a charismatic one), and building a like-minded community. But what drew me into the retreat experience was something else entirely.
Surrounded by trees and birdsong, retreats encouraged me to relax into a natural environment. I ate simply, dressed in comfortable clothes, and moved my body on walks, in the water, and at play. And, best of all for this closeted introvert, I was given permission to take quiet time. Quiet time was meant to be an opportunity for devotional Bible study. But I remember spending most of those minutes laying on my back on the grass, staring into the sky.
Here, grounded and attuned to the world around me, is where my love affair with retreats began.
Since those early retreat days, I’ve approached the retreat experience again and again as a leader, participant, believer, and seeker. I’ve worked in jobs that required them, lived in communities that went on them together, and in recent years, took my own initiative to retreat solo to a new location once a year.
All these years later, I believe more than ever in the power of restful retreat from everyday life. That’s why I’m thrilled to share a resource created to encourage your very own retreat practice.
Introducing The Home Retreat Guide!
What do you think? I hope it’s sparking ideas for you about what your home retreat could look like. This guide was created with care and deep appreciation for your context. Maybe your life’s season won’t allow for a full day retreat. That’s okay. See if you can set aside a half day or even 2-3 hours to intentionally connect with a practice idea (page 5 above) that appeals to you. Maybe you need to leave home in order to reconnect with yourself. Beautiful! Check out local retreat centers or Airbnbs and bring this guide along as a companion.
No matter your season, I hope this guide is useful for you! It was made with great care. Have questions or a retreat experience you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below or send me a message by visiting my contact page.
May we continue cultivating the space we need to rest, connect, create, and be.
