Listen to this episode Here! ????
“Wow, you’re going on a solo retreat before you’re burnt out?” My friend exclaimed. “I’m proud of you!”
We both laughed, remembering the dozens of times in the past 9 years of being a mom that I’ve called her on my way out of town, my emotional tank empty, exhaustion running through my veins, excited to have some rejuvenating time by myself.
Solo retreats have been a part of my mental health toolbox for long before I was a mother. Long before I was a wife.
In college, I would venture out on my own in my little white Ford Aspire, nicknamed the juevito because it looked just like a big white egg, driving for hours that sometimes turned into a weekend, exploring parts of my home state that were foreign to me.
In my 20s I moved to Florida and began doing the same, stumbling upon the Keys and declaring it my little sanctuary of peace that I would often escape to anytime adulting felt like too much. There was no amount of stress or emotions that could withstand a homemade Key Lime pie savored by the crystal green blue waters against the setting sun.
As life has progressed and more souls have entered my intimate circle of responsibility, my commitment to alone time found on my solo retreats has only strengthened.
Which is why my friend was proud of me. Because I was heading up to the panhandle of Florida, staying at the beach house of a good friend, who had generously offered her space to me, two weeks into the chaos of kids being back in school, and a week before my husband’s travel schedule intensified.
I knew it was my opening for some much needed alone time.
So off I went to the emerald coast of the panhandle, ready for the time alone to fill me up.
As my friend had said, I wasn’t yet burnt out. I didn’t desperately need answers to my life’s big questions (I mean, I did, but I’m always seeking deeper answers to my life’s big questions, so this wasn’t any different than usual ). ????
I just wanted to feel the space of sweet solitude.
Sleep. ????
Nature. ????
Introspection. ????????♀️
These are the three things I reach for anytime I’m on a solo retreat. Anytime I’m alone really.
And 30A (what the locals call this stretch of stunning beach towns strung together by the scenic two lane county road), did not disappoint.
I strolled through Seaside, a picturesque beach town where I sat for hours staring onto the hand painted gulf waters while I ate my veggie burger and fried pickles.
I bathed myself in the luscious waters of Blue Mountain Beach, a random, hidden find I swore I’d return to with my family. The gulf was cool and healing, and the waves sang a calm serenade with their constant whoosh.
I discovered a vegan’s haven for flavorful and nourishing food in Grayton Beach. Their giant outdoor sitting area umbrella-ed by trees and glittered with local art made me want to swing in the hammock for the entire day.
I walked for hours in the flatwoods forest of Grayton Beach State Park, talking to myself out loud as I pondered questions my heart has been holding onto for a while. I left sweaty, clear and deeply connected to my true nature.
I slept.
A lot.
And then slept some more. ????
How often do you feel overwhelmed?
Sad?
Anxious?
Depressed?
Off-center?
The antidote could be more alone time.
Intentional alone time.
Time with more sleep, nature and introspection.
More space.
More solitude.
Time with less devices, less social media, less “noise” from the outside world, and more calm serenading of your inside world.
When we spend time alone, whether it’s a solo retreat away from our normal routine, or a walk through our neighborhood, or snuggled in our favorite chair with a warm drink in hand in the pre-dawn darkness, we are choosing to connect with our true selves. Choosing to listen. Choosing to extract ourselves from the parade of life’s responsibilities and stresses that we can so easily get lost in.
We are choosing what we want, instead of what is handed to us throughout the day.
In my humble opinion, alone time is the foundation for a consciously designed and deeply fulfilling life.
What about you?
What are you doing to get in some alone time this week?
What do you love to do during your time alone? Hit reply and let me know…I’d love to hear about it!
Love,
Katie
PS: A huge shoutout to my soul sister Ashley who gifted me with her space for my recent solo retreat. She is a beautiful soul whose love I am honored to receive. (do yourself a favor and subscribe to her blog…she’s a phenomenal writer with weekly lessons and stories to tell)
If some of your alone time includes meditations, we’ve gotcha covered 😉 ???????? ???? Women’s Meditation Network. A great one this week is called Believe in the Power of Silence…kinda appropriate eh? 🙂
Listen to this episode Here! ????
Namaste, Beautiful…
???? Katie
Namaste, Beautiful…????
Katie Krimitsos
Creator of the Women’s Meditation Network
katie@womensmeditationnetwork.com
