Running a solo reflection retreat
An approach I use to structure my reflective activity
Last week was the summer solstice. I know some people like to use the middle of the year as a reflection point so I thought it would be a good time to share my approach to running a reflection retreat. I actually do this at the end of the year, just before Christmas, but the same approach could be used in summer. Just sub out the cosy cottage for an airy beachside apartment!
For the last two years I’ve run my own solo reflection retreat. I find, as a solo business owner, it’s important to design in these reflection points. With no manager or 360 review process you can easily go a few years, caught up in client work, without consciously designing how you run your business.
Just before Christmas, to coincide with the anniversary of incorporating my business, I book an AirBnB in Broadstairs and head off for three days by myself. This has emerged as a tradition for me because I happened to be in Broadstairs when I officially registered Design for Joy. At the time, I was visiting with a friend but when I wanted to spend some time reflecting on my first year in business, this seemed like the obvious choice of place. I’ve since come to think of it as ‘my place’, which feels nice.
The first year I went for two nights, last year I extended to three. I’m going to stick to three nights moving forward as the extra night gave me a bit more time and space to spread out my activities. It’s winter so I look for a cosy Air BnB with a great bath - somewhere I can hunker down. In the summer, the surroundings could look a little different. A bath would become a balcony for me!
Here’s a rundown of the rough structure I’ve landed on that works for me.