retreats

This past weekend, my beloved husband went to Charleston, SC for a bachelor party. He had a great time with all of his college buddies partying until the wee hours of the morning. He came back exhausted.

I, on the other hand, feel refreshed and invigorated as a result of this weekend. Why? I gave myself permission to have a retreat at home.

Originally I had planned to make the trip with him and visit a girlfriend but when I realized that I wasn't feeling so hot and desperately needed to simply rest, I decided to stay home and create an intentional sanctuary for myself.

Highlights of my retreat weekend:

- I didn't drive my car for 2 full days.

- I didn't turn on my computer for 1 full day.

- I turned down an invitation from a friend for a walk because I wanted to be alone.

- I napped three times.

- I watched 4 hours of really bad TV on the Hallmark Channel and 2 hours of OK TV on the Lifetime Channel.

- I journaled, went for a hike with my dog, swam in our pool and read magazines.

To plan a retreat at home, follow these simple steps:

1. Determine how long you have to indulge yourself. It could be just a few hours or, as in my case, two full days.

2. Tune in to what you are craving. I realized that I was craving three things: a) rest b) quiet and c) alone time

3. Engage only in activities that make you happy. You don't have to force yourself to grow spiritually or eat super healthy or anything else you don't want to do.

4. Set boundaries. You can decide not to answer the phone or turn on the computer or even leave the house.

I'd like to encourage you to check your calendar now and see when you can schedule your next at-home retreat. Think about what you need - dancing, yoga, a bubble bath, read a novel just for fun - and go for it!

Ah! Sweet retreat! I've just returned from 10 days out West and I'm feeling the expansiveness in my body, in my spirit, in my mind! I co-facilitated a one day retreat in NM and then attended a 6 day retreat in CO. I suspect I'll be writing in the coming weeks about some of my a-has and inspirations on my sojourn out west. But for now I want to encourage you, wherever you are, to take yourself on retreat ASAP!

My joyful co-facilitator, playpal, soul sister and dear friend Licia Berry and I recorded our second radio show 5 Elements for a Kick Butt Getaway! on The Celebration Station on Blog Talk Radio.  We did this after facilitating our retreat at Ghost Ranch and then experiencing the magic of the Echo Ampitheatre in Northern New Mexico (photo above). If you have 30 min to listen, click here and enjoy!

Or if you just want the quick skinny so you can start planning right away, here are the 5 key elements for retreat we highlight in our show:

1. Determine your purpose – why are you going? What do you need? To rest? To be in nature? To be alone? To connect with others? What are you craving?
2. Choose a great location – it can be your backyard, a local park, the beach or half way across the country. Make sure it’s a place that feels really good to you and will nourish you for a few hours or a few days.
3. Make it a multisensory experience – have yummy food, beautiful scenery, great music – or listen to the birds. Be aware of all your senses when experiencing retreat.
4. Create sacred space – create a little altar – something to mark the occasion. It can be with a candle or a rock or a pile of leaves – it doesn’t need to be fancy – but something to mark that this is sacred time and space for you to retreat
5. Pick a retreat process – retreats are more meaningful if you have a process to focus your energy – it can be journaling, hiking, collaging, focused conversation, walking a labyrinth. Something to focus your attention so your mind’s not wandering all over the place.

What is your favorite place to take yourself on retreat? Or where would you like to go on retreat? I invite you to comment below...

My dear friend Licia Berry and I have finally done it! After months of talking about it (mostly Licia bugging me saying 'c'mon, Elizabeth - it's fun!' - she has 2 successful radio shows already on the air), we have launched The Celebration Station on Blog Talk Radio.

Our first episode is called "Much Ado About Mamas" and we spend 30 minutes talking about the mother figures in our lives - both the external real live women in our lives and the internal mothering we give to ourselves.

We chose this as our first topic because of the upcoming Mother's Day holiday and our Loving Your Inner Feminine retreat in New Mexico on Saturday, May 10th.

Whether you can join us in New Mexico or simply want to take time reflecting on the mothers in your life and the mothering you give to yourself, I encourage you to click here to listen, learn and be inspired to celebrate all that you've learned from the mothers in your life and be reminded that even once you're grown, you can still mother yourself!