What comes to mind when you hear the word “retreat”?
Do you think of an expensive Luxury Hotel?
Do you think of a day at the spa?
Or the Women’s Retreat that happens yearly with your church?
Does the word bring a sense of panic at the thought of trying to afford it or find the time for it?
Or does it bring a sense of longing?
Does the word feel unrealistic?
In my world, the idea of taking a weekend-long retreat to get away and refresh feels like an expensive dream. As an added bonus, I can see myself getting bored. I get bored easily.
If I started planning a day-long or multi-day retreat I would start setting aside time to work or research an idea. Which then I would feel guilty for doing and that would defeat the purpose of the retreat.
But I knew I needed a break.
And from this need, the idea of a mini-retreat was born.
Have You Ever Considered Mini-Retreats?
Retreat: A Strategic Withdrawal
A mini-retreat is a strategic withdrawal that is:
- Planned.
- Purposeful.
- Productive (in its own way).
- Needed.
- Essential, not just a luxury.
Mini-retreats are short activities that are easy to plan, require few supplies, and usually require little to no travel.
Unless you want to.
Mini-Retreats are short activities that are short enough to be effective, to enjoy before restlessness kicks in,
and most importantly, easily repeatable.
Introducing the Mini-Retreat Guide Collection
“I did a “noticing walk” mini-retreat by Selah Reflections on Sunday. By the pre-retreat assessment in the workbook, my stress level was an 18 — the top score. By the time my walk (approximately an hour and a half) was done, my stress had dropped to a 9. Reduced by HALF in just over an hour. This is huge to me! Even more than that, I had regained a sense of awe and wonder about God’s presence in every aspect of creation — including me.
I am disabled and made some small adaptations to make the walk work for me. This noticing walk has made such a difference that I plan to incorporate it into my life twice a month as a kind of reset. Thank you, Marta, for making a tangible difference in my life!
~Shelby B. Ketchen
To retreat means you are stepping away from the frantic pace of your thoughts, to-do list, errands, caregiving, and unrealistic expectations.
Instead, it means planning a simple and enjoyable activity that brings you peace, quiet, and restoration.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this journal. In today’s crazy world, I find I’m having to take more moments of mental rest. This journal provides a basic knowledge of why it’s important to rest. But, she references so many scriptures that every time I do it, I open them up and read them again.
I absolutely love that the author is also the photographer. Just her images alone give me a moment of refreshing. This isn’t about creating huge moments of rest. She reminds me to take small moments and I needed that reminder.
~Kim Steadman
Each Mini-Retreat Guide has three main goals:
- Change your perception, and expectation, of what a retreat is. They can be short, simple, and doable.
- Retreats are a necessity, not a luxury, and need to be on your calendar and scheduled as a non-breakable commitment to yourself.
- Help you create a simple, restorative retreat practice that you look forward to and welcome and not have it be another item on your to-do list or “hopefully someday” list.
There are currently two retreat guides available:
The Selah Journal is an interactive journal with thoughtful articles, beautiful photography, and reflective journaling prompts.
Take A Photo Noticing Walk is an invitation to take a walk in nature and slow down long enough to look and see, really see, the small details you normally miss as you rush by.