There are many reasons we travel - from business to pleasure, and everything in between. These days, we tend to travel for business more often than pleasure. Even a pleasure trip can sometimes leave us craving a vacation from our vacation, as illogical as that may seem. If your vacations aren’t quite meeting your needs, perhaps it’s time for something a little different. Maybe what you need is a personal retreat week!

By clicking the following link, you can download a copy of our new Personal Retreat Planning Guide which provides a roadmap on your journey to personal healing and self-discovery.

What Is A Personal Retreat, And Why Do I Need One?

As a nation, we are generally overworked and finding work-life balance is more challenging than ever. 85.8% of males and 66.5% of females work more than 40 hours per week (2020), yet we continue to leave more and more vacation days on the table (2019). When we do declare vacation, it tends to revolve around a three-day holiday weekend, frenzied family gatherings, or action-packed theme park adventures. While everything has a time and place, a personal retreat week deserves to be prioritized. 

As cliche as it sounds, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Think of a personal retreat as a tune-up for your mind, body, and soul - a reset that helps the best version of you rise to the top. From a potentially selfish viewpoint, you owe it to yourself; and from an altruistic perspective, you owe it to those who depend on you. A personal retreat can help break through the chains of burnout, isolation, overwhelm, and anxiety that we all encounter from time to time. Unlike a traditional vacation, goals are not driven by time-crunching itineraries and exhausting attempts to do it all, but rather by a drive for introspection, inspiration, and rejuvenation that prevails long after the journey’s end. 

Laying The Foundation For A Rewarding Retreat

The key to a successful personal retreat is in targeting the personal aspect of the journey. The general aim is to reflect without distraction, gain new and deeper insight, and develop creative solutions and strategies, but how you do it and what you’re hoping to overcome are uniquely you, and your plan should be, too. Consider your own unique motivations and needs for your restorative escape.

The why of your journey is the guiding force. What is the biggest challenge you’re facing right now? What is draining you, or leaving you stuck? Are you lacking a certain clarity, or inspiration? Perhaps you’re just in need of some self-care and emotional rehabilitation overall. A primary function of the personal retreat is relaxation, so it’s important to consider what brings you peace. Regardless of your ultimate goal, a place of mental wellbeing is a critical first step.

The transformation process that accompanies a personal retreat relies on creating a level of peace, both physically and mentally. Consider the ideal inventory in your calming toolbox. What are the items that will help you to find your way to inner peace while bypassing distraction? A few ideas to ponder include a good book with a positive message, guided meditations, soothing music, and a journal to document your insights along the way. Surround yourself with the things that make you feel good and things that inspire you. Plan for comfortable clothes, essential oils, linen/room sprays or sachets, your favorite mug, blanket, or slippers.

The most important element of your personal retreat is not what you bring, but what you don’t. Solitude is fundamental to your quest for introspection and inner peace. Make plans for a family member or trusted friend to take care of your children, board your pets, and set the away message in your inbox. Accept the reality that everything will be fine in your absence, and that it is perfectly okay to step away. This includes a “detox” from social media and news headlines - a prominent source of daily agitation for many of us.

Planning The Carmel Retreat That Works For You

Your personal retreat should be a focused, immersive experience. This doesn’t mean that you need to be on-the-go every minute, but the concepts of refresh, reflect, discover, and grow should remain at the core of your itinerary. If an activity doesn’t feed these elements in some way, it serves no benefit in your retreat. Your retreat should be fun - with purpose. Keep your plans to activities that provide healthy, constructive amusement or relaxation. It may also be the perfect time to tackle a task you’ve been putting off, like a juice cleanse or healthy diet. The primary goal of your retreat is to restore balance in your life wherever it is currently lacking. Possibly most important of all - be sure to set aside time to do absolutely nothing at all! 

There are a variety of self-guided tours and activities to consider near the Carmel Retreats cottages - any number of which would make a worthy addition to your personal retreat itinerary, depending on your individual goals and needs. Here are a few ideas:

~ Stay In: Stream Meditation And Yoga Courses ~

The Carmel Retreats cottages are a calming space ideal for relaxation and reflection. Built in 1923 and lovingly restored, you’ll appreciate the wealth of history, contemporary comfort, and natural beauty that surrounds you. The fresh ocean air, happy bird harmonies, and warm sunlight wait to greet you each morning as you begin your day. Throw open the windows and enjoy streaming meditation or yoga from “home”. If you don’t already have a preferred source, there is a great list of yoga streams here and downloadable guided meditations here. 

Planning Tip: Come when our gardens are in bloom for the added benefit of aromatherapy!

~ Take Morning Walks and Sunset Strolls Along the Beach ~

From Scenic Road, there is a walking path following the curve of the bluff along the back side of the beach. Greet the locals, shorebirds, sunshine, and epic bay views as you soak up the very essence of coastal living. The Cypress-lined promenade is lined with benches - perfect for a moment of reflection as you roam. Wander whenever the mood arises, as this journey is ideal for an invigorating start to the day, or a calming sunset stroll. You can also spend the entire day letting the intertwining pathways guide you on a journey with no real destination. Sometimes, our most valuable discoveries are made purely by accident.

Planning Tip: Keep wandering down Scenic Road to reach Carmel River State Beach for a walk through wide sandy beaches and wetlands!

~ Natural Escapes: Hike Mission Trails Park ~

Situated just three blocks from our cottages, you’ll find the trailhead to three miles of well-maintained pathways through Mission Trail Park, a 34-acre recreation area with wetlands, prairies, streams, and forests to explore. This is a wonderful place to bask in the inspiration of nature and gain deeper insight into diverse habitats and wildlife while enjoying some fresh air. If hiking is an activity that helps bring you to a place of clarity, there are additional trails in the area you may wish to explore as well.

Planning Tip:  Bicycles are only allowed on the main service roads of Mission Trail Park.

~ Explore Historic, Scenic Strolls: Take A Carmel Walking Tour ~

Incorporated in 1916, the City of Carmel has seen its fair share of history, and preserved it well. Within the one-square mile of space it occupies, Carmel-by-the-Sea hosts an intriguing blend of enchanting cottages, beach homes, and architectural marvels - from the whimsical fairy tale cottages of Hugh Comstock, to Spanish, English, and coastal inspiration. A scenic stroll on a self-guided tour may yield perspective and understanding that is vital to your self-awareness and empowerment. Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea offers a great, 25-stop tour itinerary that includes all the must-see sights in the area.

Planning Tip: GPS My City offers a number of user-created Carmel sightseeing tours. You can also design your own, based on the stops you wish to include.

~ Draw Inspiration From The Culture Of Carmel: Explore A Few Art Galleries ~

The deepest, strongest roots of Carmel rest in the arts. The town has long been a haven for creatives and those seeking the perfect environmental muse, having been originally established as an artist colony in the early 1900s. Today, Carmel-by-the-Sea is home to dozens of original art galleries boasting traditional and contemporary themes in an array of mediums. Visiting a selection of galleries can provide a much-needed creative spark, as well as a grounding souvenir that serves as a reminder of your retreat achievements.

Planning Tip: Get hands-on and interactive! Ask about workshops and lessons at local galleries!

~ A Taste Of Class: Experience Carmel’s Wine Scene ~

While indulgence may not be the most productive path of a personal retreat, there’s nothing wrong with a tantalizing taste of class to revive the senses. Downtown Carmel’s wine tasting scene is not to be missed. Between Carmel Valley and Carmel-by-the-Sea, there are more than 20 local wineries and wine tasting rooms. The Carmel Wine Walk offers a self-paced, self-guided tour to 13 coastal tasting rooms between Big Sur and Monterey. 

Planning Tip: The Wine Walk Passport ($100) provides guests a choice of 10 full flights at any of the 13 participating locations.

~ The Serenity And Power Of The Sea: Book A Whale Watching Boat Tour ~

The ocean has a way of making us feel empowered and insignificant all at once. The unpredictable nature of the water and all she harbors is beguiling and sheds alight on wonders beyond our perception. Though you never can tell what your ocean adventures will reveal, the Central Coast of California is sure to set the stage for a memorable and inspiring experience. Whale watching is a popular pastime in Monterey Bay, where Orcas, Humpbacks, Gray and Blue whales find migratory passage seasonally. It’s truly a magnificent sight to behold! 

Planning Tip: The best time to see humpback whales is from late April to early December (with the peak season lasting throughout July and August).

~ Whispers On The Water: Plan a Morning Kayak Excursion ~

During the fall and spring seasons, it’s the perfect time to embrace the nature of the waterways and explore by kayak. There is nothing more peaceful than the sensation of floating along the water while the sounds of nature provide the perfect soundtrack. Kayaking is a true escape from the stress of everyday life and provides an extraordinary visual and spiritual perspective. 

Planning Tip: Enjoy kayaking through Elkhorn Slough at Moss Landing. This is the largest tidal salt marsh in the state, and one of the top 10 wildlife viewing destinations in the nation.

Getting The Most Out Of Your Personal Retreat

Begin day one of your retreat with a clean slate through focused meditation, a brief walk, yoga, or a massage. Start your process from a place of calm to gain clarity on the path to your goal. Every day should start and end with a similar relaxation routine. Bring a fresh journal or notebook on your trip and make plans to jot down notes on your thoughts and insights at the beginning and end of each day. Here are some journal prompts to get you started:

• Positive ways you’ve changed over the past five or ten years.

• Write down a definition of who you are—the good and the bad.

• 10 positive affirmations you can recite when overwhelmed by insecurity.

• 3 simple ways you can love yourself every day.

• Something you’ve done (no matter how small) that you’re proud of?

• What makes you feel loved?

• What do you feel you need the most right now, and how can you meet that need?

• What are the top reasons you neglect taking care of yourself?

• 10 things you’re grateful for.

• You’re at your happiest when you’re . . .

• What activities give you energy?

• Do your current goals align with your core values?

• What changes do you want to see in your life in five years?

At the end of your retreat week, spend some time acclimating back to normal life. The transition should be gradual, with a concerted effort to integrate what you’ve learned and the insight you’ve gained into your daily routine. The process of the retreat is not over simply because you’ve left Carmel. The insight and awakenings you’ve experienced should have a ripple effect on your day-to-day life long after you’ve returned home. On the final day of your stay, make a commitment to sketch out an action plan that integrates these lessons, and how you will adapt them into your routine. Think about what you’ve learned about yourself and the world around you, and how these concepts can merge in a positive way to tackle the conflicts that led you to the retreat in the first place. Revisit your “why” and resolve to make a sincere effort at ongoing change..

Post-retreat, commit to a personal inventory check-in at a set pace - once every two weeks or monthly is a good start. Are you maintaining the equilibrium you hoped to achieve? Are you keeping stress and overwhelm at bay? Are you consciously remembering that you are enough? 

A personal retreat shouldn’t be considered a one-time experience, but a routine. Much like spring cleaning of a home, oil changes in a car, or annual check-ups with your PCP, it should be a periodic commitment. Plan end-of-year retreats for resolution planning, summer retreats for plenty of sunshine therapy, spring retreats for lulling aromas, or fall retreats for crisp inspiration. The seasons can be exceptional guides to healing, but you can also simply adhere to an as-needed approach. Let your needs define your return, and plan your personal retreats whenever you could use a little R&R - reset and reflection.