You made it to a retreat, the experience was amazing, you felt uplifted and inspired! Your soul was set on fire! You made connections with other women, made time for self-care and relaxation while also focusing on inner reflection. Life if going to be different, you told yourself on your way back home. You arrived home all excited to get to work keeping yourself in alignment with those feelings and telling yourself that this time you will stay positive and grounded. This is the RETREAT HIGH.
There are many articles out there that address the low that settles in when you are coming off the retreat high, mostly focusing on a spiritual retreat or faith-based retreat. But what about those wellness retreats where you feel so alive and invigorated and inspired to make the changes in your life that were addressed during the retreat? It feels so great being at a retreat where you are surrounded by relaxation and peace, mindfulness and calm, with like-minded people encouraging you along the way.
But when you arrive home, life happens and hectic schedules fill your days. Work, family and relationships clutter your thoughts and disrupt your peaceful calm you established during the retreat.
Coming down from a retreat high can be intimidating. What happened to that vibe, you ask yourself. But know this, a vibe cannot bring about change, it is a feeling not an action.
I experienced this many years ago when I attended some women's retreats. During the retreat I felt on top of the world, like I would be able to handle anything life threw at me. I had spent time in quiet meditation, reflected on what I truly wanted to see change in my life, and had made a written and verbal commitment to myself to honor myself and just not allow toxicity to be in my life. This resolve worked for about the ride home from the retreat and maybe a few days into my 'real life' back home. It takes purposeful action and intention to maintain a commitment and sometimes that is truly difficult. I found that I fell back into my typical routine and did not keep my resolve to honor myself. I hadn't been taught the tools or techniques that would help me stay on my path. In the retreats I attended I had done plenty of inner reflection and made decisions but didn't know how to back those up when I got home.
It doesn’t mean you need to block out or ignore your life, there are ways to incorporate your “retreat high” into your everyday life. Something in your life prompted you to seek out a transformational experience, and recognizing that urge is the first step toward meaningful change. The goals you set during the retreat are areas that are important to you. You deserve to make them a priority. When you set goals and decide to make changes in your life it takes work to implement them.
During our retreat workshops we provide you with actionable tools and techniques to use when you run into challenges or even just to maintain your progress. You will learn strategies for implementing change in your life. We guide you as you dig deeper to understand what you need on an individual level, in order to keep in alignment with your goals.
Making time for yourself to practice what you learned at a retreat is crucial for solidifying that change. Whether you need solitude to meditate and journal or seek the company of others to establish boundaries and set expectations, all these practices are achievable and vital for your personal growth.
Each day may not unfold precisely as you envisioned, and that’s okay. The key is to remain committed to trying again tomorrow, integrating those lessons into your daily life, and allowing yourself the grace to adapt as needed. This practice of self-compassion is just as important as any technique you learned during your retreat.
Additionally, consider establishing a daily routine that incorporates mindfulness practices, such as taking a few moments each morning for gratitude or setting intentions for the day. Creating small rituals can significantly enhance your focus and keep the principles you learned alive.
Staying connected to the people you met on the retreat is another powerful way to maintain your momentum. Having a supportive community encourages you on your journey toward personal growth and serves as a source of strength during challenging times. Whether through a dedicated group chat, regular meet-ups, or social media connections, keeping those conversations alive can help you stay accountable and inspired as you continue to apply your newfound tools in real-life situations.
By embracing these practices and leveraging the connections you made, you're not just transforming your experience of relaxation; you’re engaging in a continuous journey of growth and self-discovery. Remember, the retreat was just the beginning of a beautiful path forward.
Comments