Sarah Snyder returns to the podcast to share her newest book: DIY Solo Retreats! Sarah is a writer and conversationalist whose passion is helping others connect spiritually to the outdoors, nature and science.
This conversation will inspire you because we all need to take more time to practice self-care. A DIY solo retreat is not about getting in the car and driving to your nearest spa. This is about intentionally creating time and an environment to nurture yourself. In her book, Sarah shares how to create a retreat in your home or remotely because let’s face it, with the pandemic we may want to remain socially distanced. Also, many of us don’t have the luxury of going away for a retreat consistently so finding a way to create these opportunities is the best way to acknowledge and honor your needs. Plus recharge your battery!
Sarah started her journey with the book by sharing on her blog different aspects of retreating. She received feedback that they were all very helpful and was asked if she could put together a book for her community. She then decided to take on the challenge and realized that there was a lot more she could share and expand on within the book. The book: DIY Solo Retreats, is under 25,000 words so it’s short and an easy read and will inspire you to take some time to create a retreat for yourself!
Sarah shares why we need to create time for ourselves to retreat. The retreat allows us to Calm the Chaos and turn into ourselves and own the power that we have internally. The only way to do this is to schedule this time into your day or week! Even 30 minutes per week is something and so important. It helps us to cope with the challenges that we are facing personally and as a collective society!
We talk about “ME “ time and for Sarah, she defines that as MINE EXCLUSIVELY, which I thought was brilliant! Had not heard of that before but it rang true for me. The conversation then dives into being purposeful about the time we are creating for ourselves by having an intention of what we want to achieve in that time. It can be simple or complex. Sarah recommends simple as she feels that simple is always best. If you don’t set an intention with your retreat, then Sarah shares that from her experience, your mind may just run off thinking about your to-do lists! That wouldn’t be very peaceful, would it? Sarah shares some tips on how to keep even a short period focused and intentional for those who may just be beginning this practice.
Sarah shares the importance of creating a set space for yourself to have your ME TIME and be able to retreat. This way your body and mind recognize that when you arrive at this place that you are safe and can then relax and set your intention. Your mind has a muscle memory that knows that when you are in that space you know what to do. As you become more experienced with your practice it will be easier to take it to other locations.
Our discussion turns to how to prepare emotionally for a retreat. Sarah says this is important especially if you are going to be dealing with a difficult topic or getting quiet and listening for answers that need some type of resolution. For example, you may be contemplating a move or a job change and need to get quiet and have some clarity about questions you may have regarding these opportunities. You’ll need to prepare yourself for what comes up. Her words of wisdom are to expect the unexpected that may come up for you during your ME TIME
Sarah shares her tips on how to put together a full-day retreat and why taking the time for an entire day to yourself is so important. For Sarah, many of her full-day retreats involve being out in nature. She may take herself out on a “date” to a botanical garden or a nature preserve. Somewhere peaceful where she can connect with herself and nature. By getting away and out in nature you are less likely to be distracted by responsibilities at home.
We discuss the importance of getting quiet and finding ways to listen to yourself. To Calm the Chaos, we need to get quiet in our minds and surroundings so we can hear our true desires!
Sarah encourages you to permit yourself to take this time because it’s yours, you deserve it, and don’t ever tell you that you are being selfish!
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