The Power of Retreat: Creating Space for Reflection
Last Thursday marked the culmination of an intense five-month period for me. I had just wrapped up three major projects, all on the same day. The following morning, I enjoyed breakfast with a friend and then set out on a solo trip, an activity that I cherish deeply. There's something liberating about hitting the road alone, where you can stop wherever you want and take your time without worrying about anyone else's schedule.
This trip was a celebration of my hard work and a much-needed pause. For the past five months, I had been on my clients' schedules, prioritizing their needs over my own. I love working late at night, which allows me to handle regular life stuff during the day and enjoy the sunshine. However, during this period, my days were filled with back-to-back meetings, and my nights were spent preparing for the next day. While I still traveled, attended events, and saw friends, my preferred way of working and resting was put on hold.
In addition to work, there were numerous personal changes and non-work projects that I was wrapping up. The amount of change was overwhelming. So, this trip was a reset, a chance to reflect and create space to think about the second half of the year and how I want it to unfold.
Lessons from the Karmapa Stupa
On Friday, I headed to Crestone, CO, on the recommendation of a friend who promised it would be a unique experience. She wasn’t wrong. Deciding to forego the GPS for a bit, I stumbled upon the Karmapa Stupa, a spiritual monument that’s open to the public. Reading the signs there, I was struck by the Buddhist thinking on self-actualization, which involves three steps: learning, contemplating what you’ve learned, and most importantly, practicing what you have learned and contemplated.
The signs emphasized the importance of retreat as a means of that necessary contemplation. The Karmapa Stupa website beautifully states, “A retreat is a chance to find space and spaciousness in the immensity of nature, to observe how all things interrelate and therefore to understand that your motivation is not merely for your own well-being, but an aspiration for the well-being of others. A solo retreat is a challenge with a reward you might not expect.” This idea of retreat mirrors the practice of retrospectives. I always teach my clients and students the importance of retrospectives; that at the end of each phase, whether it’s a project cycle, a business quarter, or a major life event, you need to build in time for reflection.
Unexpected Rewards of Solo Retreats
After my stop off in Crestone, I continued on to the Great Sand Dunes. The effort to get there was significant, involving a long drive, lines for renting a sandboard, getting into the park, parking, walking to the base of the hill, and then climbing the dunes. There were numerous opportunities to turn back, and many people did. However, I stayed the course and wow was that worth it for the beautiful views.
But the landscape wasn’t the only unexpected reward of my solo retreat. This trip also afforded me a profound understanding that I am on the right path for myself. My tagline, "create the space," perfectly encapsulates how I want to live my life, taking the time to focus on well-being in all its forms—organizational, personal, financial, and relational.
Create the Space for Reflection
I encourage each of you to identify stopping points in your life where you create the space to reflect before diving back into action. These pauses are so important. They can offer clarity, renewal, and a deeper understanding of our paths and priorities.
So, take that trip, follow your own path, and allow yourself the time and space to ponder and grow. You might just find the rewards you didn’t expect.