[TrailRunner14]

I’m really feeling the need to be by myself and have time to really think and sort things out. It’s hard for me to do that here at home with everything going on.

A private retreat sounds so very inviting. By that I mean, being somewhere calm and by myself with no one to take care of or supply a need to.

I’m thinking maybe a weekend and somewhere not extravagant or anything like that. I just need somewhere to be calm and think and write in my journal.

My family will most probably not understand, but I feel like if I don’t have this time I’m going to somehow shut down.

I guess I’m looking for ideas on how someone else has maybe done this, with a family at home. Mine are all grown, except for the grand daughter, and I believe they can be self sufficient for a couple of days.

[WarmFuzzySocks]

TR, I’ve done this.

I went to a small hotel on the beach and spent the weekend alone. I took my journal and a good book. I walked on the beach and walked through the shops and went to the bookstore, and I sat in a coffee shop with my book as long as I wanted. Being able to reflect and rest and write my thoughts, and just sit quietly uninterrupted, helped me to recharge.

I just told all of the people at home I needed some time to rest, and they all managed just fine without me. When I got home, I felt clearer and refreshed, so better able to tend to the needs of the people around me.

I hope you’re able to get some kind of time away.

[toomanycats]

Last year, I went on a women's horseback riding retreat alone at a ranch called "Shangrila" in southern Virginia.

Best experience of my life; I dream about going back all the time.

Horseback riding is my thing... mine, all mine. That's why I picked it.

[satsuma]

This sounds like such a good experience.

When I was younger I was afraid of being alone somewhere. I was afraid because I would be alone with lifetrap thoughts like "Everybody hates you" etc.

Now I am able to be alone peacefully and I can see that it can be a liberating and also a restful thing. Thank you for sharing your stories which confirm this! Trail runner I hope you will be able to arrange this opportunity and that it will be a good experience. I agree that we have to pay attention to our own needs and it is helpful for people around us as well. If we burn out then we are not helpful to anyone.

[healinginprogress]

I did something similar last year. Booked a hotel room a couple hours from home. Took my journal and laptop and played the rest by ear.

Your family will survive if you leave for a few days. There's nothing wrong with taking time for yourself.

[Lemoncake]

Taking care of yourself first isn't selfish. I honestly would do it too. You can't help others if you're burning out yourself.

I loved Jada Pinkett-Smith's take on this:

[TrailRunner14]

Originally Posted by WarmFuzzySocks

TR, I’ve done this.


I went to a small hotel on the beach and spent the weekend alone. I took my journal and a good book. I walked on the beach and walked through the shops and went to the bookstore, and I sat in a coffee shop with my book as long as I wanted. Being able to reflect and rest and write my thoughts, and just sit quietly uninterrupted, helped me to recharge.


I just told all of the people at home I needed some time to rest, and they all managed just fine without me. When I got home, I felt clearer and refreshed, so better able to tend to the needs of the people around me.


I hope you’re able to get some kind of time away.

This sounds exactly like what my heart wants!

It would be so wonderful to have that space and know it was accepted and honored.

[TrailRunner14]

Originally Posted by toomanycats

Last year, I went on a women's horseback riding retreat alone at a ranch called "Shangrila" in southern Virginia.


Best experience of my life; I dream about going back all the time.


Horseback riding is my thing... mine, all mine. That's why I picked it.

That sounds so great to have that experience in a place that makes your heart feel so happy!

I thought about a women’s retreat and then I felt the real need to be by myself.

Virginia sounds lovely and the idea of the horses sound so relaxing.

[TrailRunner14]

Originally Posted by satsuma

This sounds like such a good experience.


When I was younger I was afraid of being alone somewhere. I was afraid because I would be alone with lifetrap thoughts like "Everybody hates you" etc.


Now I am able to be alone peacefully and I can see that it can be a liberating and also a restful thing. Thank you for sharing your stories which confirm this! Trail runner I hope you will be able to arrange this opportunity and that it will be a good experience. I agree that we have to pay attention to our own needs and it is helpful for people around us as well. If we burn out then we are not helpful to anyone.

I also didn’t like to be by myself in the past.

I feel like I’ve kind of grown up into the appreciation or need of the space now.

I enjoy my space in my backyard, when I can find it, and I get much peace from it. It’s hard to find these days.

Thank you for your encouragement to go for it.

[TrailRunner14]

Originally Posted by Lemoncake

Taking care of yourself first isn't selfish. I honestly would do it too. You can't help others if you're burning out yourself.


I loved Jada Pinkett-Smith's take on this:

Thank you for sharing the video!

I’ve never felt like I’ve deserved the right to think about myself.

Listening to the video encouraged me also. It sounds really foreign to me but it’s something that I know that I need.

Thank you!

[TrailRunner14]

Originally Posted by healinginprogress

I did something similar last year. Booked a hotel room a couple hours from home. Took my journal and laptop and played the rest by ear.


Your family will survive if you leave for a few days. There's nothing wrong with taking time for yourself.

Thank you! I want to believe that and a part of me does. I want to lean into it and find the courage to just “run away” for a bit.

I feel like this a lot. It’s hard to be around others and to keep giving, sometimes I just want to disappear!

I often go to a city and stay in a hotel alone, catch a movie, get some dinner, gather my thoughts. I always feel better afterwards. Sometimes I go on yoga retreats and therapy workshops and that helps me to explore my thoughts and feelings and to ground myself again.

I don't have a family but have high stress work that involves constant interactions and meetings with people all the time, working with tight schedules etc. By default I am quite an introvert so, while I enjoy the work for the most part, the meetings and interactions can get overwhelming if I don't take regular times to be alone. I have been doing the traveling alone for pleasure since my 20s - it isn't only relaxing but always something to look forward to. I live in a big city so the best is to escape into quiet places - I love nature and hiking alone. I also go to meditation retreats and spas. And, even in the midst of the everyday rush, I like to take time for myself, for example I usually go for lunch on my own to another building, out to a restaurant near work, or take my lunch into the nearby park if weather permits. I decided not to have a family very early in my life exactly because I enjoy my alone time and doing whatever I please when I don't work.

I've never thought about going to a retreat. Possibly financially that wouldn't work for me.
But I've found all I need peace wise by occasionally driving to the local beach and sitting on a bench.
If I can't go to the mountain. The mountain comes to me.