I love week-long escapes to go and think, but let’s be real – those are rare for most of us.
But the good news is, you don’t need a fancy resort or a big chunk of time to reap the benefits.
Enter the micro-retreat. With a bit of planning you can squeeze a mini-escape into even the busiest life.
What is a Micro-Retreat?
Forget fancy spas or week-long vacations. A micro-retreat is a short, intentional getaway designed to get out of your usual environment, giving you a fresh perspective to reassess your priorities, habits, and goals. Could be a short afternoon hike, pausing to document and pinpoint areas where you want to make positive adjustments. Or maybe a weekend in an Airbnb somewhere different where you switch off your phone and get time to yourself to think.
The critical part is to step away from your day-to-day routine. This change in scenery, even if it is somewhere close to home, gives you space to unwind, reflect and reset. Just to make it clear, it isn’t about running away from your problems, it is about having time to think things through so you can come back to tackle them with renewed clarity and focus.
Benefits of a Micro-Retreat
There are the obvious benefits that come from taking some time away. Things like reducing stress and mental fatigue are pretty well known. Getting a creativity boost, when you step away from focusing on a particular problem, and coming back with increased motivation.
However, where I really see the biggest benefits is when I approach micro-retreats with a little bit of structure and having a simple system in place in order to get the most out of your time away. You can come back with a renewed sense of where you should be spending your time, what is important to you, and setting some clear goals in terms of what you want to achieve.
Planning Your Micro-Retreat
Step 1: Determine Your Needs
There are plenty of ways to design your micro-retreat. Here’s how I figure out what I need from mine:
- Purpose first: My priority is reflection and goal setting, peace and quiet and some exercise. That means a mix of activity (like hiking) and intentional thinking time.
- Time is precious: I prefer to go when everyone else isn’t. I avoid public holidays, and would much prefer a mid-week escape. Yes, this means time off work, but at least the kids are at school and it means less pressure on my other half. This is definitely not going to work for everyone so plan something that works for you.
- New Environment: I don’t do enough in nature. I live in a big city, I’m on a computer for the majority of the time. So I try and get away to somewhere completely different. Nature, hikes, the beach, fresh air. If this isn’t your thing, prioritise whatever is different from where you would normally be.
Now think through your own requirements. Take a moment to consider:
- What would a “successful” retreat feel like? Less stress? A plan of action? A burst of fresh ideas?
- How much time can you spare (realistically)? An hour? Half a day? A full weekend?
- What environment helps you think best? Indoors, outdoors, alone, or maybe even with a trusted friend for brainstorming?
Step 2: Choose Your Location
The beauty of micro-retreats is flexibility! Remember, this is less about where you go, and more about breaking your routine. Try one of these:
- Your Neighbourhood: Local parks, coffee shops, libraries, or even your own balcony can transform into peaceful respites with a little intention.
- Day Trip: Explore a nearby park, small town, or quiet beach. A new landscape offers different stimulation for your mind.
- Overnight Stay: A simple Airbnb, friend’s cabin, or a budget-friendly hotel room can give you a dedicated space and the feeling of truly getting away.
Step 3: Minimise Distractions
Unless I’m intentional, and plan accordingly, I find it difficult to stop from falling back into regular habits when you are away to think. My preference is to go somewhere without internet. That forces me to do something else that I normally wouldn’t do. Like read a book. Or sit and think and write things down.
Here are some ideas:
- Phone Rules: Turn off all notifications, or ideally the phone itself! If technology is part of your process, designate specific times for its use.
- You don’t need to be productive: I struggle with this one, as when I’m not doing anything, I immediately think I should be doing something productive. Set expectations that it is about disconnecting, turning off, and focusing on 1 or two things you normally wouldn’t do.
- Let others know: Make sure you have told people that you will be unavailable for this period of time. Even better when you have no internet or reception.
Step 4: Making the Most of Your Time
A micro-retreat works best when you have a loose roadmap. Here’s a structure that’s proven successful for me:
- Structured Thinking: I carve out dedicated time for reflecting, journaling, and taking notes. Looking back on what’s working and what needs attention I find is important before moving forward.
- Reflection in Motion: For deeper processing, I love combining thinking with outdoor activity. Hiking through scenic places helps me see things from new angles. It could be a walk, a swim, whatever energises you.
- Goal Time: With insights gathered, dedicated time for planning and goal-setting turns them into something actionable.
- Flexible Flow: There’s always room for the unplanned! That might mean a spontaneous afternoon nap, reading a great book, or just observing your surroundings without distractions.
The key is to find your rhythm. You might prefer less structure, or need more focus time. Experiment to find the balance of structured thinking, activity, and pure relaxation that best fuels your mind and body.
Taking Action and Planning Your Next Micro-Retreat
The biggest benefit of a micro-retreat is when you take the benefits, and implement your plans into your everyday life. Here is what I find useful:
- Immediate Integration: Don’t shelve your notes! Within the first day or two of returning, review your insights and pick 1-2 small changes to implement right away. Small wins boost motivation.
- Visual Reminders: Write down a key takeaway or goal and put it where you’ll see it often (fridge, desk, etc.). This keeps your new focus top of mind.
- Accountability: Tell someone supportive about your changes or goals. Just knowing someone else is aware is surprisingly motivating!
- Calendar It: Don’t wait for inspiration to strike for your next retreat. Put it on the calendar as you would any other commitment. Consider quarterly, monthly, or even smaller bi-weekly breaks to sustain the positive impacts.
The more regularly you practice stepping back, the easier it becomes to spot when you’re getting off track. I view these getaways not as luxuries, but as essential maintenance for your mind and well-being.