Retreat to Realign: Reflecting with Intention
In my recent blog, A Retreat Into the Next Chapter, I shared how I carved out intentional time to step away and reflect on a major life transition. That experience reminded me how vital it is to pause, not just when life forces us to, but regularly, as a form of self-leadership.
But let’s be clear: you don’t need five days in the Arizona desert to take a self-retreat.
Sometimes, all it takes is two hours at a quiet coffee shop, your journal, and your full attention.
Whether it’s once a year or once a quarter, I believe in the power of stepping out of the day-to-day swirl to focus on you. Not to beat yourself up. Not to set aggressive resolutions. But to get honest about what’s working, what’s not, and what you want to give your energy to in the next season of your life.
In our work lives, we hold strategy sessions and quarterly reviews to keep teams aligned and on track. Why wouldn’t we do the same for our personal lives?
Self-retreats help us stop spinning and start listening. They bring us back into alignment. Not with anyone else’s expectations, but with our own values, desires, and capacity.
This isn’t about becoming hyper-productive or checking every box. It’s about making sure the boxes we’re checking actually matter to us.
Personally, I love this ritual because I always have a dozen things I want to do, try, or explore. And I’ve learned that if I don’t slow down and check in with myself, I start saying yes to everything, which is not sustainable or strategic. A self-retreat helps me pace myself and prioritize what matters most in the moment.
A self-retreat can be as simple or spacious as you need it to be. What matters most is that it’s dedicated time to tune in. No multitasking. No tending to others. Just you, your thoughts, and the space to reflect.
Here’s a sample agenda you can use or adapt:
1. Name your purpose
Are you closing out a chapter? Preparing for a new one? Checking in on how the year’s going? Set a clear intention so you’re grounded in why you’re taking this time.
2. Reflect on the past season
Ask yourself:
What gave me energy?
What drained me?
What did I learn?
What did I let go of, and what did I hold onto?
Be honest, not harsh. This is about reflection, not judgment.
3. Identify what matters now
Choose 3–5 priorities for the coming season. These aren’t just goals. These are the things you want to give your heart to: projects, relationships, practices that align with who you are becoming.
4. Let go of what no longer fits
This is a great time to let go of obligations, patterns, or even goals that aren’t serving you anymore. You don’t need to carry everything forward just because you started it.
5. Make a gentle plan
Decide how you want to show up in the next season. What rhythms, boundaries, or support structures do you need? Keep it doable. Keep it kind.
6. Close with gratitude
End your retreat by acknowledging what you’ve learned and what you’re choosing next. Say it out loud or write it down. This anchors your intention.
A self-retreat is not about perfect planning. Life will always throw us curveballs. But when you’re grounded in what matters most to you, you can adjust with clarity instead of spiraling in confusion.
You can veer off course with intention, knowing that you’re still living from your center.
So take the time. Protect it. Whether it’s two hours or a full day, make space to listen to your own wisdom. Your next chapter depends on it—and you’re worth that kind of care.
If you’re ready to carve out intentional time for yourself, I’ve created a downloadable guide to support your process. Just send me a message— I’d love to share it with you.