The Benefits of a Solo Retreat
It’s brutal. The city. The job. The rent/mortgage/groceries/car/fees/bills/future. The world. News. Texts. Emails. Socials.
The amount of stimulus received every day, each message, signal, event, more important than the last, each demanding, shouting for your attention, is overwhelming.
It is no wonder that chronic illness has risen dramatically, mental health has declined, the planet is telling us, showing us that it is getting tired of us. It’s taking steps to teach us, deliver us an ultimatum.
Our bodies are trying to tell us we weren’t designed for this kind of existence. Over the hundreds of thousands of years we evolved surrounded by nature. We evolved in sync with the rhythms of nature. That’s why the sunrise can seem so beautiful, a bird dancing can seem so delightful, a river can be so soothing.
Society has disconnected us from ourselves, our intuition, our happiness.
There is a way to begin the journey back.
The solo retreat. The retreat from the everyday. The retreat that can give us a glimpse of how it can be. The retreat that creates the tiny window in ourselves that lets in the light.
Solitude.
Being alone, unplugged and off grid allows us to pause. It gives us space. It is just us and our thoughts. For a while this can be quite scary. We’re not used to the feeling of having absolutely nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to answer to. It may feel uncomfortable. But sooner or later the thoughts will quieten, even out, space will open up. You will start to see the trees, not just look at them, but see them. You will start to hear the sounds, the birds, the water, the rustle of leaves in the wind. You will start to notice yourself - a deep calming, a deep stillness inside. It’s like peeling a mask of interference off your whole body. You will start to disconnect from the everyday and begin to reconnect with yourself.
Silence
In silence space becomes available. - space to reflect, to introspect, to be. You now have the time - and perhaps the gentle nudging - to meditate, or stretch, read, do yoga, give your full attention to the taste of a fresh orange.
Embrace the silence as it quietens the mind. Listen to your inner voice. Access the deeper layers of consciousness. Disconnect from everyday chatter.
Substance
You are on a journey of self discovery. Significant moments will arise - moments to cherish, to honour, to feel fully. Now you can immerse yourself into meditation, mindfulness. You may well experience ah-ha moments, insights, breakthroughs. A sense of reverence - of the incredible being that is you - may be fostered as you connect to something far greater than yourself.
Creativity
We are all creative. It can be hidden, lying dormant deep down, stifled by the conditioning of the world we live in. But with the space you have available, the freedom you now experience, the stillness now surrounding you, creativity will awaken from its long hibernation. Inspiration will strike. Write, paint, draw, make something. Create.
Purpose
Because there is no outside crashing in, no email or chore, some of the big questions that are buried deep within begin to surface. Now you have the time and space available to give them the attention they need. What do you truly value? What is your purpose, the purpose?
You will gain clarity, reenergise passions, set directions, renew yourself, prepare yourself to burst forth again.
This is a chance to embrace opportunities for growth and expansion. Gain insights that enhance your life. Re-energise. Refresh.
A solo retreat is an adventure. Life changing. Transformative. Beautiful.