I went on my first ever creative retreat! Earlier this year, I made it a goal to go on two of them. As a creative entrepreneur (and someone who has a history of finding of finding value in achieving and producing), I fall into the trap of overworking myself.
In 2020, I decided to go full-time with my business, and it was the best and scariest decision ever. I felt immense pressure, and sometimes that pressure was crippling.
So when I thought about what I want to prioritize in 2021, I decided that my mental well-being would be a top priority.
Here are my top three things I took into consideration for my creative retreat.
1. Location, location, location.
Due to COVID, I didn’t want to travel on a plane, and I didn’t want to drive more than three hours, one way. I ended up staying at an airbnb in Sheboygan, WI that was affordable and right next to the lake. It was fairly cold and rainy most of the weekend. So I didn’t have many opportunities to paint outdoors. But Sheboygan is only a two hour drive. I’m sure I’ll be back when the weather’s nicer!
This Airbnb was also just a few blocks from the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. If you’re ever in Sheboygan, definitely check it out. Free admission!
Your retreat will look different depending on your inspiration. Maybe you love the mountains. Or the sky high city views. Choose a place where YOU will be inspired.
2. I brought my own food
The great thing about an Airbnb is that it usually has amenities like a kitchen, refrigerator, and cooking appliances. In order to maximize time spent creating, I brought all my own food and snacks so that I don’t have to eat out. Plus, it reduces the overall cost of the trip 😉
I packed some essentials like cold brew coffee, fruits, popcorn snack, mac n cheese, bottled water, veggie snacks, and salad kits.
But if you’re inspired by different cuisines and restaurants, go for it! I’m more of a eat to live person so I don’t mind eating in.
3. Spend equal time creating, being inspired, and being bored
One of the things I didn’t want to feel was pressured or stressed. The overall purpose of a creative retreat is first, to retreat. Retreat from work, from home, from responsibilities.
I didn’t have a schedule at all, and I usually like running on a schedule.
Due to the rainy weather, I actually spent a lot of time inside the Airbnb. I did paint, watch some TV shows, andread. But most importantly… I did nothing.
Doing nothing might drive some people crazy. But as creatives, we need to allow ourselves to be bored. Seriously, when was the last time you were bored? Maybe when you were in the checkout line at the grocery store? Or did you play a game on your phone?
When I’m walking around outside, even running errands, I usually have one earbud in to listen to music or catch a phone call. But during the retreat, I ditched the earbuds and took in the surrounding sounds. At one point, I turned off all the lights in the Airbnb and just sat in the dark.
We take in so much information – through all five senses.
But what would happen if you took away one of the senses? Or allowed yourself to focus on just one of the senses?
That’s how I came across these small flowers–squills and blue snowdrops. I was simply walking around the neighborhood. And I didn’t have my earbuds in so I was hearing every little sound like the seagulls and construction trucks. So I looked around my environment for anything interesting. And I spotted these flowers almost a full block away. They delicately blanketed someone’s front lawn. I spent at least five minutes photographing and observing.
New ideas can be born out of boredom. So try this practice of being bored even when you’re not on a retreat. Maybe drive with the radio off. Wait in line but don’t bring a book or check your phone. Sit by your window and just stare out. It might feel awkward or even a waste of time. But in the end, didn’t it feel nice to be in your own thoughts instead of swimming around in someone else’s?
How about you? Have you ever been on a creative retreat? Where did you go and what did you do?
Perhaps it can be a goal to do one this summer!