Everyone knows that taking time for yourself reaps a multitude of benefits. A WebMD article lists some of the benefits of taking “me time” to work on your health and happiness: stress reduction, increased productivity, and a boost of energy. So why don’t we do it?

When I promote taking a monthly Personal Retreat Day, I often get pushback like “sounds great…if I had more time.” Or, “I could be using that time to get more stuff done.” I totally get it: when we carve out time for ourselves, our conscience tends to nag at us that we should be doing something else! Something more productive!

It’s like that common “vacation” paradox: when you’re on vacation you worry about the work waiting for you when you return, and when you’re at work all you do is dream about your next vacation!

Let’s push aside the excuses and the paradoxes, and tackle several common challenges head on:

It feels selfish  

Yes, taking a Personal Retreat Day does mean withdrawing from work and home responsibilities for a short time. It’s especially difficult to justify time away if you have young kids: the guilt factor is real! But I would challenge that excuse with a question: is it truly selfish to take time to improve yourself, when those improvements impact those around you? Karen Asp of that WebMD article I mentioned above agrees: “You may think ‘it’s all about me’ is selfish. But consider this: Other people benefit from your ‘me time,’ too. Do things that feed you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and you’ll bring greater patience and a more positive attitude to your relationships.”

I don’t know how to do a PRD

Starting a new practice can be daunting. You may wonder how to get started. You may be asking yourself how you could ever fill an entire day (or even a few hours) with introspective activities? Well lucky for you – I’ve been doing this practice for over 8 years, and I have a ton of ideas! I share those ideas in a variety of ways: on my blog, in webinars, and with individual and group coaching sessions. The best thing about a Personal Retreat Day is that there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to do one. Just try out different things to see what works for you and discard the rest. Remember, it’s a personal retreat day!

I can’t get any privacy

As I write this (January 2021), we’re at the peak of the Coronavirus pandemic. Many cities are locked down, meaning it’s an especially challenging season to think of “getting away.” Usually, I do recommend going somewhere outside of your house – a coffee shop, a park bench, a library – but this is close to impossible these days. You just have to think creatively. Can you hang a sign on your bedroom door that says “Do Not Disturb?” If you have young kids, can your partner keep them entertained so you can have some peace and quiet for a few hours (promise to reciprocate!)

I’m an extrovert

Even extroverts need time to themselves every now and then! But for those of you who get a lot of energy from being around other people, you’ll probably want to break up your retreat day with a more social activity. Perhaps you could invite a friend to have lunch or coffee mid-way through your day. Make a quick phone call during a break. End your day with a social activity as a reward for all that navel-gazing!

I don’t have time

Yes, we’re all busy people, but we always find time for things that are important to us. Make every effort to start this practice.Remember, this is a time investment that has the ability to make you more productive and a better person in the long run. And while I recommend a full day to get the best benefit from a personal retreat day, even a half day can be enough. I once had a webinar participant who was a full-time caregiver to her disabled spouse – she made PRDs work for her by creating “Retreat Moments” throughout her daily routine! That was all she could do in her season of life, yet she intentionally carved out a sacred space in her day to reflect and assess. Do what you can.

What about you? What other challenges do you anticipate getting in the way of taking a PRD? Send me an email at wende@personalretreatday.com for some encouragement to begin your PRD habit despite the obstacles!