Every now and then (well, about twice a year), I feel a strong need to get out of town by myself for a couple of days.
It’s not about running away from anything—more like stepping out of the current so I can catch my breath. There’s something so refreshing about temporarily changing the scenery. No obligations, no schedules, no distractions (the dog needs me to play, the laundry needs to be done, I should clean out that drawer). Just time and space to do whatever, or nothing.
It’s a kind of mental decluttering.
My husband is so understanding. He can’t relate, but he trusts me when I say I need it. And of course he has to pick up the slack while I’m away, doing what I would normally do that can’t wait (mostly having to do with our dog Ivy). What a blessing he is!
My daughters also, support me in this. Normally I take care of my baby granddaughter weekday mornings, so on my recent solo retreat, Anna stepped in to perform “Auntie” duties in place of my “Grandma” duties, and Jamie did extra driving to pick up the baby from our house.
(Jeff has always told me I’m low-maintenance, but seeing the above in writing, I’m not so sure that’s true!)
These short solo getaways give me room to think my own thoughts without interruption. I find that after a few hours, my shoulders relax, and I breathe a bit more deeply. I might do some writing or reading or walking, or just sit outside and listen to the birds… These are all things I can do at home, but something about being alone in different place is restorative to me.
More than anything, it’s a break from routine. A temporary pause in the repeating loop of daily life that allows me to reset. When I return home, I feel lighter, happier, and ready to jump back into my normal routine with greater mental and physical energy.
Weird, right?
I was going to do a photo essay of my recent solo retreat, but this is long enough. I’ll do a Part 2 soon and show you where I stayed.