A couple weeks ago, I got to spend a few days with my good friend, Maggie.

It would have been great to spend time with her under any circumstances, but what made this extraordinary is that Maggie and I were beta testing an idea I’ve had for a long time.

Maggie and I were on retreat together.

We didn’t just go to art museums and sip wine — though we did that, too! — we were intentional about creating space for Maggie to get clear on who she is and what she wants from her life.

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For a long time, I’d been wondering if I could take someone on a personal retreat akin to the ones I create for myself every quarter when I go to a little one-room cabin in Los Altos with no phone service or internet.

Could I bring the elements of coaching, intention-setting, dreaming, meditation, play, celebration, and appreciation so that others can experience the clarity, connection, and calm I feel about my life when I come back from retreat? 

I’m curious, have you ever had this kind of time for yourself? Have you created your own retreat? Have you been on retreat with a teacher/coach?

Luckily, Maggie was excited to test this out with me. And we set off for two nights in Santa Rosa, close to the wine country in Northern California.

Here’s what we did in the small space of time we had together:

  • celebrating Maggie’s top accomplishments from her life
  • shopping for clothes that make her feel playful and fun
  • coaching sessions on courage and influence
  • journaling at the art museum
  • playing a fun question game I specially created for retreats
  • eating out and having meaningful conversations about creativity and career
  • skipping around town just for fun
  • watching a documentary about photographer Bill Cunningham
  • writing to a poetry prompt
  • blowing (and giving away) bubbles in a park
  • dressing up to celebrate at high tea

 

 

It was challenging. I pushed a lot. We covered some tough topics and peeked in dark places. But we also laughed a lot, sat in the sun, ate good food, and connected with strangers on the street.

How about you? When you’ve had this kind of time for yourself, what’s been included in your retreat?

What nurtures your creativity, joy, and ability to dream big?

If you have never gone on a personal retreat, is it because it just doesn’t appeal to you? Or is it too hard to find the time? Maybe it is just something you’ve never thought about?

Comment on this blog and let me know what your experience has been! I’d really like to hear.

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I’m excited about taking more people on retreats like this! Each one will be specifically designed to meet the needs of whomever I’m with.

I just think that in the midst of so much activity, hustle-bustle, and responsibilities that people don’t give themselves enough time to step back and get perspective. Most people barely celebrate who they are and what they’ve accomplished. Nor do they take time to think about what’s next.

Sometimes an entire life passes by without people pausing to consider, “is this where I want to be and what I want to be doing? Am I living the life that is uniquely mine? Am I listening to what wants to be expressed from me?” 

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Stay tuned for more details to come down the road. I’m fine-tuning as we speak!

In the meantime, if you know of someone whom you think might really enjoy a getaway filled with a combination of coaching and play, let me know. I’d love to meet them! Maybe that someone is YOU?

Seek celebration — even in the dark corners,
xo Sherry