Create Your Own Writing Retreat

And let yourself know you are worth your own time

I need a creative retreat. I need to spend some time working on my writing.

But a formal writing retreat is not in my budget.

So, like any good DIYer, I plan to make my own. Here are the steps I will follow.

Decide What Your Retreat Goals Are

In his book The 7 Habits of Effective People, Stephen Covey tells us to Begin with the End in Mind. At the end of your retreat, how do you want to feel? What do you want to have accomplished?

Do you want to be rested and relaxed? Do you want to feel like you have completed a lot of work? Do you want to learn a new skill?

Set your goals. Here are some ideas. Finish an article. Watch a video about meditation and write about how you did on your first try. Do some research on a topic that interests you and write about it. Go for a hike and bring a notebook to write down your thoughts.

Pick Your Date and Let People Know Your Plans

If you are seeking solitude, let people know you are unavailable. If you are looking for some connection, ask people to retreat with you or share parts of it with you. Keep your commitment to yourself. If you cancel your writing retreat or change your plans, your mind will hear that your goals aren’t important. Your passions aren’t important. You aren’t important. And you and I both know you are.

Get Ready

Plan Menus & Buy Food — Food is very motivating to me. If I spend 25 minutes writing, I can have a snack. Or some takeout. But I won’t be motivated by food if it isn’t in the house. Having your snacks and meals planned will make it easier to focus on your writing!
Do all the little things around the house that are bugging you — You know this will be the weekend you feel the need to do all of the little things around your house that need to be done. Change all the batteries that need changing, and take care of those burned-out light bulbs. If something is getting on your nerves in the middle of your weekend, schedule a time that isn’t your writing weekend to get it done. Getting it on your schedule will help you put it out of your head.
Clean your house — Cleaning your house is another easy distraction — at least it is for me. I do know people who can look at a pile of stuff or write “dust me” in the dust on the furniture and ignore it. But I would use it as a distraction. Do all the things you use as a distraction.
Gather your supplies — Make sure you have everything you need. Find your workspace, find the good pens and notebooks you need to use. Find the books you are using for research, get out any notes you’ve made. Make everything handy.
Make a plan — Know where you are going to start. Know what you want to get better at. Know what you will work on. Know what your goals are and how to make them happen. Know what will make a win for you.

Have a Great Weekend