July 2021 – Retreat to Advance

Clearing time and space to work on writing – or other creative ventures – can advance work and well being. But if you’re like me, daily obligations make retreating a challenge.

Earlier this month I spent a week at a writer’s retreat in the mountains of North Carolina. For a writer it was heaven, with vistas that change with the weather and sky, air that was cool and fresh, and trails that meandered through the woods. A week of no housework or meal preparation. No feeding of pets. There was no television and limited internet access, so the distractions were few, except for the glorious vistas, walking trails, and chats with fellow writers. It felt luxurious to have time and space dedicated for writing.

I’m reminded of a youth leader years ago who renamed our group’s Retreats, calling them Advances instead. He hoped the re-frame would encourage our growth rather than backsliding.

Clearing time and space to work on writing – or other creative ventures – can advance work and well being. But if you’re like me, daily obligations make retreating a challenge.

For years as a counselor I encountered people whose lives were overstuffed with jobs, family obligations, and struggles to get ahead – or survive -- in busy workplaces. Often their schedules juggled their own careers and endeavors, along with caring for children or elderly parents, and shuttling loved ones to their appointments and activities. These clients needed to learn how to make time for themselves, to recharge their own energy and creativity. Before I could help them, though, I had to make sure I did that, myself.

I can get swept up in the momentum of my daily life, leaving little room to relax, clear my mind, rejuvenate my spirits. Like everyone, the pandemic shifted my energies and focus in a way that I’d never experienced. The week in the mountains gave me much-needed space to retreat, and advance.

Now that I’m back home, I don’t want to lose that freshness of mind and spirit. My hope is that I’ll maintain a schedule with blocks for retreating and advancing. I’m fortunate to live in an area where hiking trails through mountain woods are a few minutes away. My neighborhood is good for walking, too, but sometimes it helps clear my head to see something different, so a walk in our historic downtown or the cemetery graced with trees and rolling hills, or a picnic in a park, can serve as mini-retreats and foster my creativity.

Maybe you have places nearby that afford a change of scenery, a space to get outdoors, or just a break in routine, that can serve to refresh your spirits. Here’s to retreating – and advancing.