Now that you’ve learned the benefits as well as the challenges of starting and maintaining a Personal Retreat Day habit, it’s time to answer the Big Question you’ve been waiting for: HOW do you do one?

Let me set you at ease by telling you there’s no “right way” to do a PRD. Personal Retreat Days differ widely from person to person. Yours will not necessarily look like mine. The key is to do whatever it takes for you to renew self-awareness and create space for “inner conversation.” You have a ton of freedom to structure your PRD in ways that work for you!

Now, that’s a bit TOO much freedom for the routine freaks in the audience (I’m one of you!)  If you’re the type who likes systems and formulas, fear not: I’ll share my typical routine below. Feel free to start there, adopt what works, and discard the rest.

Even before you take your first PRD, do these three things:

• Schedule it

Put it on your calendar and protect the appointment! If a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes along, don’t cancel your PRD outright — instead, reschedule it before you set sail for the Caribbean.

• Plan it

Don’t overthink this, but it’s beneficial to sketch out what you want your PRD to encompass. Stuck for ideas? Take a look at the activities below and pick a few that speak to you. You’ll want to balance mental & physical activities to shake things up and keep the day fresh. Plan what time you’ll start and when you’ll finish.

• Prepare for it

The night before your PRD, gather any materials you’ll need: books or podcasts, a journal, pen, water, snacks, maybe a blanket. Leave electronics behind. Alert your work colleagues and family that you’ll be unavailable until ___ o’clock.

Now you’re ready to strike out on your first PRD! Here are the ideas I promised. I’ll expand on these ideas in future articles, but in brief, my PRD’s usually involve a combination of these elements:

1. Exercise

Choose something energizing, not exhausting: a nature walk or gentle yoga is better than a tough boot camp workout or running a 5K. This is simply to get the blood in your brain pumping!

2. Reading

Bring along an inspirational article or book. Spiritual or wisdom literature from your personal faith is a nice addition too. Not much of a reader? Podcasts or Audible books can be an excellent substitute (as long as you avoid getting sucked into the technology trap)

3. Reflection  *    

Reflection involves looking back at the previous month and asking myself questions. What have I learned? What are some “wins” from the month to celebrate? What’s been working, what hasn’t been working? What’s out of balance and needs attention? There are a million questions you can ask yourself. Most of us fail to stop long enough to attach meaning to the events of the past. PRDs allow you space to do just that.

4. Journaling  *

I journal often, but I like to use a separate journal just for my PRDs. This is where I jot down insights from my inner conversation (see #3, “Reflection”, above). I love to begin my PRDs with a quick review of the past few months’ entries. It’s a great way to notice themes and see how far I’ve come!

5. Planning  *

During your reflection time, you’ll usually recognize a few things that need your attention. Choose a couple of areas that need tweaking – but not too many! Maybe you want to shake things up with a new exercise program, or you realize you haven’t talked to your grandmother in ages. This is also the perfect opportunity to work on long-term plans: mission statements, vision boards, goals, and so on. Be sure to check what’s coming up on your calendar and block off a day for your next PRD!

     * For a handy tool that combines reflection, journaling & planning, download the free PRD Assessment Grid!

6. Creating

Humans were created to be creative beings! Creative expression has been proven to be important for everyone, not just professional artists. It gets you thinking like a child again and fuels creative problem solving in other areas. Feel free to use part of your PRD time to create something just for yourself! Write a poem, sketch a picture, compose a piece of music. Something just for YOU. Don’t worry if it sucks – nobody has to see it unless you want them to!

7. Rest

This is my favorite part of a PRD, and an element I never skip. Rest can mean napping in a hammock, laying on a blanket and watching clouds float by, or soaking in a bubble bath. While you rest you can listen to music, meditate, pray, or just zone out.

8. Something FUN

I always end my day by rewarding myself for putting in the mental effort. Think of Donna and Tom from the TV show Parks and Recreation and “Treat Yo Self!” Here are a few “treat” ideas from fellow PRD-ers: chocolate, a margarita, watching TV, catching up on social media, dinner with a friend, a massage or pedicure, curling up with a good book. My reward is usually doing a logic puzzle. Yes, I’m a nerd.

I hope you enjoy your first Personal Retreat Day! Email me at wende@personalretreatday.com to let me know how it goes!