Self Love Retreat
I believe every day should be a day of love. Our life is short and choosing to not fill every day with love seems odd to me. Yet, in my experience in the past, it's been hard to show that love to myself. Instead, I filled my mind and body with constant judgment and negative self-talk. I've found that it has not completely disappeared, yet it has way less control and power over me.
I want to share a self-love retreat with you, to help you start loving yourself today and every day. I suggest following this as an at home retreat, and if that's not available, break into smaller rituals that fit you and your time.
This self love retreat guide is designed to be a practice of listening and honoring yourself. If something feels like a very strong no, you absolutely should choose something that feels like an absolute yes. That said, I invite you to observe that feeling of no in your body, is it coming from a place of fear? If the answer is yes, I invite you to challenge yourself. Do the fearful thing and see what happens. You never have to do it again if you dislike it, but you might just love it.
What you'll need for this self love retreat
A journal and pen
Items for a tea ceremony (grab the list here!)
A book, I suggest a novel. You can find a roundup of books here
Your phone is put away. No social media, no news, no shows today, just time with yourself!
Your self love retreat guide
If you live with others, let them know that tomorrow you will be giving yourself a love retreat. Ask them to help honor your desire to go inward by giving you the space you need.
Let yourself sleep as late as you want, allowing the body to rise whenever it is ready. No matter what time it is, allow yourself to avoid judgement. Instead give yourself a hug upon waking and say thank you body for allowing me to rest and recharge.
Upon rising, let yourself move slowly, brush your teeth and drink a glass of water.
While you sip your water, fill a kettle and prepare yourself for a moving meditation, a tea ceremony. You can learn all the steps to practice a tea ceremony here. Allow yourself to sit in this meditated space for as long as you desire. I suggest no less than 30 mins
Make yourself breakfast while maintaining that relaxed meditated state. Giving your full attention to the cooking process. I personally love a potato bowl like this recipe but cook something based on what your body is desiring.
Sit near a window and give yourself 10 minutes for a seated meditation observing your surroundings. Is the sun out? Are the birds singing? What color is the sky? Are there clouds? Just observe.
Grab your journal and start writing. Allow yourself to fill at least two pages with a stream of consciousness. Let everything that is in your brain out onto the paper. If nothing is, write, “I have nothing to write…”. You may write it once or twenty times but write it until something else starts flowing out. In my experience it doesn’t take long until more wants to come out, just keep writing.
Give yourself another 10 minutes of seated meditation. You can choose to observe your surroundings or close your eyes and observe your breath.
You may have noticed at this moment your day is easy and light. You’ve got time and don’t feel rushed. I want you to use this distraction free space to give yourself the opportunity to read. We often get so distracted we cannot sit down and read but give it to ourselves today. Pick up that book you chose today and allow yourself to read for an hour.
Draw yourself a bath and as it fills, lather your body with coconut oil. Allow yourself to soak and relax. Play some soothing music and sink into this space.
Suggestion for your bath: add baking soda, epson salt and essential oils of your choice. This will help to relax your body and detox.
From this space, give yourself the rest of the day to just be. Listen to your body and honor it. May it be taking a nap, going for a hike, dancing, creating, more reading, the sky's the limit. I just invite you to continue practicing a distanced relationship from your technology. You can follow my evening routine here if you are looking for further suggestions.
Before you go to bed grab your pen and paper and use the journal prompts below to reflect on this retreat you’ve given yourself.
Journal prompts to reflect on your day retreat
How do you feel after giving yourself a self love retreat?
What did you find most challenging?
What did you enjoy the most?
What would it feel like if you added what you enjoyed into your daily routine?
How can you incorporate that which you enjoyed most, into your daily routine?
You gave yourself a self love retreat! You listened to your mind and body allowing it to guide you where you need to be. Do you feel amazing? I know I always do after giving myself a retreat day. Know you can always return to this practice and give yourself extra love everyday. That may be just adding a 10 minute solo observing time to your day, or not looking at your phone for 2 hours after waking up. Trust your body, it is your greatest guide!