Awwww…. I am just so glad to be here, on retreat. Man I needed this space in my life. Leading up to these retreats, I like to ask myself what do I need. This is something I ask while away for these 24 hours.

Yesterday was an emotionally exhausting day. I went to bed exhausted and I just feel an overall weariness in body and spirit. So waking this morning knowing that this time was set aside for me just filled my heart with joy. I would have time just for me. Time to just be. Time to rest. Time to allow myself to be filled back up. I had hoped to leave the house by 10:00am and head to my mother in love’s apartment. She is out of town and offered her home as my retreat place. Many other retreats I will head up to our local Wildlands Preserve and hike and just enjoy nature. But today I felt like I needed a slow day of being tucked in. I wanted a low stimulation day since yesterday I felt like I was amped up all with dealing with conflict. Early this morning I went for a walk at nearby park with a friend so I got a large dose of nature and felt like that need was met.

Upon arrival I spent about an hour in texting conversations with friends that I was catching up with. Once I felt at a good place with that- I realized my intent for this time was low stimulation and I recognize all the dopamine hits I get with texting etc and knew I needed put my phone on mindfulness and do my best to keep my phone tucked away so that I could feel tucked away.

I brought a book that I requested from the library. Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport. Honestly the thought of sitting and reading this book cover to cover sounded gloriously. Maybe mix in some yoga and lots of sleep- sounds like what I need.

After putting down my phone I realized I was very tired. We have a puppy so feels like I have a newborn with multiple middle of the night feedings and early morning risings. I set my timer for 30 minutes because normally a nap beyond 30 minutes and I can feel like I have a nap hangover and I stumble around the rest of the day in a sleepy stupor. I never heard my timer but instead slept solidly for 3 hours. Okay, I guess that is what my body needed. I slept through lunch. I woke at 2:00pm and decided to drive through Baker’s and get fries, cheeseburger and Oreo shake. Fast food is a rarity for our family of 6 due to the cost. So going to get this rare food felt fun. Of course it is not what I “needed” but it is what I wanted and these retreats are about both my wants and needs as a one who spends most my time caring for others, this is time where I care for me.

After lunch I took care of a few details for myself like making doctor appointments and establishing contact with a new therapist. I have been blessed with a few years of therapy under my belt. I monthly meet with my spiritual director who encourages me and guides me in my faith journey. Life has felt very heavy lately so I decided to start up therapy again. As a caretaker, I need outlets to feel cared for myself. I trusted my heart that was saying, it is time again.

I’m about 5 hours into my 24 away. It is time to tuck away with a good book. This time is such a gift.

Actually once I stood from sitting the last hour, my body said 15 minutes of yoga is what I need before going to sit more. Stretching/yoga allows fatigued, tired muscles to rest and feel good. That is totally what these retreats do for my fatigued spirit. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THIS RYHTHM IN MY LIFE. This rhythm reminds me that in my everyday life I need to pay attention to what I need. True I cannot often pause for yoga like mid work day but I can pause and breathe deep. I can stretch for a minute. I can read during my lunch break instead of scrolling. I can go to bed earlier if I can exhausted. I can make time for what refuels me each day. I MUST care for myself so I can better care for others.

After yoga I read 2 chapters of my new book. I would often pause and add a quote from this book to a book I am working on in regards to living balanced with technology.

I took about an hour break to run to the store and pick up those fun sticky flags to mark quotes in this library book that I want to share with hubby later after this retreat. It was fun to shop without a small kiddo. Of course I spent less without being begged for things. I love to shop the card aisle and find good cards. I enjoyed finding 3 variations of 2026 calendar/planners. It was chill and fun. I then went to fav Mexican food and had dinner.

I returned to my mother in love’s apartment to write some more on a few book ideas that I have going.

8:00pm and now I am back on the couch reading. This is heaven for this book nerd.

Cost of this retreat:

Lodging: free

Lunch from Baker’s: $15

Dinner from fav Mexican, Rosie’s: $10

Dollar Tree shopping without kids: $5

Total cost: $30 for a soul maintenance retreat: priceless