Have you ever felt overwhelmed or disconnected, like life is just moving too fast? That was me recently. I realized I had been distracting and even numbing myself from looking inward and connecting with God in a real way, and I know that is not the recipe for fulfillment and happiness.
The idea of a week-long retreat sounded incredible, but like many of us, I didn’t have that kind of time or luxury. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a self-led retreat that didn’t require booking a hotel or taking a week off. Sometimes we all just need to get away for a while to check in with our souls.
I set aside some time, came up with a plan, and took myself on a self-led retreat.
With a clear sense of what I needed, I created a plan that fit into my reality—something both attainable and impactful.
Here’s what I did to ensure this retreat was both restorative and doable, and how you can create your own retreat, too.
Picked a time and confirmed it worked for my family.
We don’t have many completely free weekends as a family, but it just so happened that I was coming up on one. I had a little flexibility with time. I could have extended it to overnight, but I didn’t end up wanting to do that. For this retreat, I just left in the morning and came back before dinner.
Picked a location.
Choosing the right location was key. At home, I’d constantly be reminded of chores and responsibilities, so I knew I needed to be somewhere I could truly disconnect. A change of scenery allowed me to escape my usual routine, creating the mental space necessary for deep reflection.
Informed others.
I wanted to be alone, but not completely isolated. I informed a few close friends about my plan so they could check in on me, encourage me, and pray for me. Having that accountability and support felt essential—especially since I tend to dive deep emotionally when I’m on my own. It’s easy to get stuck in the weeds without someone to gently pull you out when needed.
Picked a playlist.
Music has always been a powerful tool for me to shift my energy and connect with God. I created a playlist that set the tone for my time, helping me enter deeper moments of prayer and meditation. It wasn’t just background noise; it helped guide me into a more reflective and peaceful space.
Found some support material.
Even though I needed to write out my thoughts and feelings on a number of different topics, I didn’t want to be completely without structure, and thus run the risk of basically doing nothing. I had been using this app called One Minute Pause by John Eldridge to incorporate a morning and evening prayer rhythm, and I noticed it also had some prolonged guided meditations and prayers. I felt like that would be enough of a jumping-off point for me, and in fact, it was.
What I brought:
- A blanket. I always want a blanket if I’m sitting down. Plus, I thought I might want to nap. I didn’t end up doing that, but in general, I’m just one to want an emotional support blanket! Coziness and retreat go hand in hand.
- A journal & pen. This was essential for me because I wanted to be off my screens as much as possible. I recorded in my journal what I felt like God was saying to me during my meditations and prayers. I also just long-form journaled thoughts I had been avoiding and shoving down. Things I needed to admit to myself but had been afraid to verbalize. It was tough but good. Once I emptied the queue in my brain of things that needed to get out, space was available for acceptance and to see beauty in what was happening, to see new perspectives, and then begin to formulate next steps. A journal was essential in capturing all of this.
- My Bible. Often, while processing with God, a snippet of a verse will come to mind. I like having my paper copy of the Bible with me, as it helps me not get distracted by other apps on my phone.
- A yoga mat. I find it important to move my body when processing emotions. I knew the particular location of my retreat wouldn’t be conducive to going on a walk or jog. So I brought my yoga mat and was so glad I did! I got to do some yoga overlooking a beautiful setting, and it turned out to be such a special part of my day.
- Snacks. No explanation required. If you’re doing emotional heavy lifting, bring some good snacks.
Reflections
Now that I’ve shared what I did to create this space, I’d like to reflect on what made this time so impactful and how it reshaped my perspective
Taking the time to step away from the hustle of everyday life, even if just for a few hours, can make all the difference in reconnecting with yourself and your faith. It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of work, family, and social obligations, but true peace and clarity often come when we intentionally pause to listen—to ourselves, to God, and to the quiet whispers of our hearts. This self-led retreat reminded me that deep connection doesn’t require grand gestures; it only requires the courage to slow down and create space for reflection.
I encourage you to find that space in your own life. It doesn’t have to be a week-long getaway or an elaborate plan—it can be a simple, intentional retreat to rediscover what your soul truly needs. Take a moment today to check in with yourself, and give yourself the permission to listen. You might be surprised at the peace it brings.
Now that I’ve shared how I created this time for myself, I want to invite you to do the same. The questions below helped me dive deep into my thoughts and reconnect with God. I encourage you to pick 3-4 that resonate with you the most—sometimes going deeper with a few can be more powerful than trying to answer them all.
These questions helped me dive deeper into my thoughts and process what I was experiencing. They guided me to reflect on what I needed to release, how to make space for peace, and what God was saying to me during the retreat.
Questions for journaling:
- What do I feel God is inviting me to release in this season of my life?
How might surrendering this area of my life lead to more freedom and peace? - What have I been avoiding within myself, and why?
What might I discover about myself if I lean into this discomfort instead of avoiding it? - What is one belief or thought I’ve been holding onto that no longer serves me?
How can I start to challenge and shift this belief to align more with truth and grace? - What does true rest look like for my soul, and how can I fully embrace it today?
What parts of my life or heart are in need of deep, unhurried rest? - How do I feel about the idea of being truly seen by God, with no walls or pretenses?
What would it mean for me to experience full acceptance and love in His presence? - What hidden fears or insecurities am I uncovering during this retreat?
How can I approach these fears with compassion, and what would it look like to let go of their control over me? - When I sit in silence, what parts of me feel the most unsettled or restless?
What do these parts of myself need to hear or heal in order to feel at peace? - How has my relationship with God evolved over the past year, and what is He teaching me now?
What new understanding or connection am I being invited to experience during this retreat? - What truths about myself or my journey have I been neglecting or minimizing?
How can I give myself permission to fully acknowledge and accept these truths? - If I were to step into the fullness of who God created me to be, free from doubt or fear, what would that look like?
What is one step I can take today to align my life more closely with that vision?
Conclusion
When I packed up and headed home from my self-led retreat, I carried a peace I hadn’t experienced in weeks—maybe even months. While my circumstances hadn’t changed, my perspective had. The retreat allowed me to reconnect with God, silence the noise, and center myself in His peace. I now realize how crucial it is to create this space regularly. Life moves fast, and it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. My only regret is waiting until I was overwhelmed to make this space, but I’m committed to making these retreats a regular practice—maybe every three months—to stay connected with myself and God.
I encourage you to think about what a self-led retreat could look like for you. It doesn’t have to be grand—just intentional. When was the last time you created space to simply listen to your soul? What would it take for you to carve out a few hours of stillness to reconnect with your true self and God?
