I went on a solo retreat and this is what happened
Hey friends and happy almost 2022!
Just before Christmas, I got to sneak away for an overnight trip all by myself. Yes, that’s right. I left my husband and baby to go on a solo retreat *gasp* — who is this woman, prioritizing self care and taking care of herself?
In all seriousness, I am so thankful for my family who generously watched my baby and allowed me to go on this trip. It was so needed and I would HIGHLY recommend this to any moms out there. Or women. Or people. Just everyone really!
If you’re familiar with my blog posts, you know that I like to organize my posts into sections and this one is no different. I’ll be sharing all the details under these categories:
WHY I decided to go on a solo trip
WHERE I went
WHAT I learned
So let’s just dive right into it!
WHY
I’m not someone who ever craved to go on a solo trip. In fact, I never understood people who wanted to eat out or go to a movie by themselves! BUT, after these past 18 months, I really felt like I needed to get away. The reason I decided to go on a solo trip wasn’t necessarily because I wanted to be alone. The main thing I longed for was S P A C E. I wanted space to dream and think about the future of my life and business. The main why behind my solo trip was to seek clarity, direction and big picture vision. This has been my prayer request for the past year and I really felt like I needed this solo trip to seek after it! I knew that God had already given me the puzzle pieces. All I needed was the space to put it all together.
WHERE
I didn’t want to be away too long so I chose Chattanooga as my destination. I had heard so much of this quaint town ever since moving to Tennessee so I thought this was the perfect place for my overnight trip! It’s only two hours which isn’t too far from home, but far enough ;) I also chose Chattanooga because it is quite scenic with lots of outdoor activities! It also has lots of cute local shops and art galleries that made me feel safe as a solo traveler.
I ended up staying at this perfect little airbnb, adorably named the Sunroom Suite. It was actually the perfect place filled with lots of natural light, cozy and colorful decor, and an outdoor hot tub! My favorite part was the front porch which overlooked a small farm with a few horses and a donkey. I had the most peaceful time just sitting there painting them in the brisk afternoon. It was truly magical.
Wish I got a photo of the adorable barn animals
I experimented with vibrant colors and it was fun to just let looks and be free!
WHAT
I went on my solo trip mainly to think about and plan for the future, but my biggest takeaway ended up being how important it is to be present. Multiple times throughout the trip, I caught myself stressing about what to do next. What should I eat? Which area should I explore? Should I go to the aquarium or the art museum? Which online review do I trust?
Not only was doing this annoying, it was not productive nor helpful. I realized that I was spending so much time thinking about the future that I wasn’t able to enjoy the present.
This same idea can be applied in my business as well. I’m constantly thinking about how to improve or create my next offer. Rarely do I sit and appreciate what is right in front of me and enjoy what I’ve built! Because the truth is, you don’t need to fix what isn’t broken. Sometimes, you can just sit back and enjoy what is happening in your current season. I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I know I’m not the only one!
As for what I did, I spent most of my time exploring Bluff Arts District and walking through the Northside of Chattanooga. Everything is pretty much walking distance and there’s a lot to do like visit the Tennessee Aquarium, art galleries (big and small), local gift shops and tons of restaurants!
I love the new year because it feels like a clean slate where I can plan BIG goals for myself! While I’m eager to set personal and business goals for myself, this solo trip reminded me how important it is to also reflect and recharge from the year past.
As 2021 comes to an end, I hope you make some time for yourself and do whatever it is that makes you happy.
I’ll see you next year ;)