A Retreat is Good for the Soul

Retreating is Good for the Soul

 

Years ago during a study course, an assessment task required me to take a full day nature retreat and spend some quality time with myself.

Although appealing, an inner voice protested immediately: How could you possibly be so selfish?

I had responsibilities; people depending on me. There was simply no time to stop and do nothing!

As women, the role of caretaker is subconsciously handed down to us through generations. We carry the label of nurturer and find purpose in our being needed, yet when pushed beyond our limits can start to feel angry and resentful at those same responsibilities weighing us down.

We crave to have some peace and quiet, yet torment ourselves with shame and guilt and rarely allow our needs to be acknowledged.

Sadly I’ve seen time and time again with my clients, friends and family that when we don’t take these essential retreats into our own soul, we are heartbreakingly abandoning ourselves.

I have since examined my own hand-me-down habits to put everybody else first and myself last.

At the end of the day, trying to be a wonder woman and do it all wasn’t making me happy. Some changes needed to be made and it was up to me to make them.

I’ve since come to respect the importance of stepping back and into myself, so that I’m ever evolving the life I want to keep developing and growing in being my best for helping others.

How often do you take off, forget about the external world and tune into your internal one?

Rather than feel guilty or continually worrying over all the tasks that still need doing, put it all aside and focus on your need to stop, breathe, listen, laugh, connect, explore and create – away from the daily distractions that often compromise your time.

I propose committing yourself to a mini retreat of your own.

Set a day aside just for you and tell everyone who asks that you’re not available.

It doesn’t have to be extravagant by any means – it could be something as small and intimate as packing a picnic and taking a solitary drive to a favourite place and allowing yourself some time in nature to breathe, reflect, dream and plan.

Set aside enough time to take a well-earned break from the daily grind and reconnect with your heart and soul.

Take a pen and paper with you, or perhaps a recording device if you’d rather dream and plan aloud.

Settle yourself down with some deep, grounding inhales and exhales.

Get comfortable in your body.

Ask yourself the following questions and listen as your thoughts arise:

  1. Am I truly happy with my life right now?
  2. What is currently blocking my happiness?
  3. What would I most like to change about my life?

 

Make some notes on how you can create that change, for example: setting new boundaries around work, instead of bringing projects home; taking a walk three times a week to increase your energy, instead of doing nothing; hiring a coach to help you implement change, instead of making empty promises and going it alone.

Taking that first mini retreat reserved just for me, was one of the best tools I learned in how to acknowledge my own needs and prioritise my time.

Give yourself that gift and enjoy the benefits of tending to your life.

V xo

 

About Viki

Viki Thondley, The MindBodyFood Coach

Viki Thondley is a Mind-Body Wellness Specialist and qualified Holistic Counsellor, Food, Stress & Lifestyle Coach, Meditation Therapist, and Eating Disorder Recovery Coach who inspires women to shift from dieting and restriction to whole-self nourishment, self-care and whole food healing. Recovered from bulimia nervosa and the many years of hormonal imbalances, food prison and self-sabotaging behaviours’, Viki is an inspiring coach, speaker and event host who also provides personalised holistic programs, workshops and retreats to instil self-love, happiness, body confidence and real food freedom. She is author of “Achieving Your Wellness: Create a Life You Love” and “Healthy Chocolate Delights: Real Food Sweet Treats”.

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