Creative Retreats

There are times when you need to get away from all the hustle and bustle of daily life, and go on a retreat. Not just any retreat, a creative retreat.

What is a Retreat?

A retreat is time and space you give yourself to accomplish the goals, get ahead, and gain results for your creative endeavors.

A retreat doesn’t have to be topic specific. You can take a creative retreat to work on any of your creative endeavors you wish for whatever amount of time you set aside. You can make it as extravagant or simple as you want, it doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. It depends on your taste and your financial set up. If you have the money to create a more luxurious or well-planned, away from home retreat, then by all means go for it. If not, you can definitely create a simple retreat at home with little work done.

Why You Need a Retreat

Daily life, with the same routine is wonderful, but can sometime provide a gateway for the creative blocks to set it. You’ve lost your muse, your writing prowess, your will to continue on with that project you’ve put your heart and soul into.

Frustrations, tasks, chores, house, children, spouse, and more pile on to the point of overflow and your brain just can’t take a break to focus without something else taking precedence.

Taking a creative retreat can give your mind and body the refresh it needs to get back into your creative groove with uninterrupted daily concerns. You can finally have the peace and quiet to concentrate and work on those things you’ve been dying to accomplish.

Set Up Your Retreat

The first thing you need to do is decide if you will be able (and have the finances) to take a retreat away from home or if you will be creating one in your home. Trust me, it can be done.

Away from Home

If you have the finances to take your retreat away from home, I highly recommend it. There is less chance of anything getting in the way or interrupting you during your retreat. You can go to a hotel or rent an air bnb for a couple nights to really maximize the time you have for your creative work.

With everything taken care of before you leave, you’ll be able to concentrate on all aspects of your creative endeavors without the interruptions of usual daily life. Let those in your life know what your plans are and to keep the communications to a minimum while you work. Of course, emergencies are accepted.

In the Home

It may be a bit tougher to take a retreat within the home if your family is still there. If your children are old enough and can spend the night at a friends house, that may make things a bit easier. Then you just have to convince your spouse to give your the time you need for your work.

I know even when my door is closed on my office, my husband will visit me, providing distractions throughout the day. Let him enjoy his hobby while you are on your in-home retreat and you may just get the time you need. I’m sure you can come to some sort of compromise if your spouse doesn’t have anything to do.

The Space

The space you choose is important to your work and comfort levels. You could spend your retreat in a hotel room, in your office, in your bedroom, or out near the fire pit enjoying your favorite warm beverage.

Make the space comfortable, encouraging, and welcoming for your creative mind. You know you best and can provide the little touches you need to get your mind working toward your goals.

If you are stuck we have a great guide on building your creative atmosphere as well as articles on creating one anywhere you may be, along with some creative one you may not have thought of. You can check them out HERE!

What to Take/Gather For a Retreat

Really the most important is whatever makes you comfortable, relaxed, and prepared within the space. If you are anything like me and get cold easily, a blanket may be a good idea. Food and drinks you can consume while you are working is also a great idea. You don’t get distracted by getting up every twenty minutes to get something to drink or eat. That mini fridge is going to come in really handy!

Other Items to Consider:

• Inspirational pieces
• Music
• Books
• Prompts
• Podcasts
• Walking shoes (For those much needed breaks and exercise)
• Comfortable clothes
• Work/Project Items
• Power Pack/Batteries

Make Your Retreat Successful

To make your retreat successful, you’ll need to do a bit of planning ahead of time. You’ll need to set up the location, take some time off from your other duties, and think about what your retreat will do for you.

What is the goal of your retreat? How will the end result look? What do you wish to accomplish by the end?

Keep this goal in mind as you journey through your retreat, use it as motivation and inspiration to continue, to focus, and to come out of it with great success.

More to Keep in Mind

Here are some tips to help you along as you plan and perform your creative retreat.

• Print everything out, save to flash drive or external hard drive.
• Gather notes for inspiration.
• Creat draft version for everything you want to write, outline, notes, plans.
• Activate auto responders (email) and tell loved ones you’ll be mostly unreachable.
• Don’t ask for the WiFi password at check in, you don’t want to get distracted by social media or other online applications.
• Work, write, draw, game, etc. Do what it is that you came to this retreat to do.
• Take breaks when feel burned out, you’ll be back a square one if you don’t.
• Plan your meals.
• Self care – Spa/bath/lounge/read.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to create something expensive or elaborate to have a successful creative retreat. With a bit of planning, preparing and gumption, you can create the perfect retreat for yourself and your creative endeavors.

How do you take a much needed retreat? Do you spend a little more for a hotel room? Do you have a special place at home? Or do you lock yourself away in your office until inspiration hits? We would love to hear from you. Comment or contact us with your creative retreat stories!