Well, who would have ever predicted we would be here!? I don’t want to dwell too much on what’s going on in the world - I’m sure you’re already being bombarded with an overwhelming amount of news each day – but I do want to say that I’m thinking of you, I’m here for you, and I really hope you’re taking care and staying safe.
The past couple of months have absolutely knocked me for six, and to be honest it still feels quite surreal. Adjusting to our new way of life has been challenging for me, and I have no doubt it’s probably been challenging for you too. To be honest, it feels like it’s only going to continue getting tougher over the next few months. We’ve all been hit hard, and we’re all having to make serious sacrifices that are incredibly challenging. But we will make it through.
I’ve spent a lot of time trying to think about how I can help people during this time, and I keep coming back to the belief that it’s never been more important that we prioritise our mental health, our wellbeing, practise genuine self-care and find gratitude in the little joys each day.
Prolonged solitude can be really scary, uncomfortable and unfamiliar for a lot of people – even for those of us who usually enjoy a bit of me time. So, to try and help people ease into their own company (and maybe even enjoy it) I've put together 'retreat society 101' a collection of one hundred and one basic self-care strategies - accompanied by uplifting quotes, fun facts and silly puns.
You can access your free copy by registering on the home page of this website.
My hope is that this collection will help you find some comfort in your solitude in the challenging times we face, or at the very least, provide a bit of distraction to make you smile.
This collection isn’t any extra pressure to feel like you have to be more productive or 'do'. In fact, it’s a friend to your mental health and wellbeing, encouraging you to just 'be'.
This collection isn’t a failure if you don't read every single page or try all the self-care strategies. It’s a catalogue of simple self-care activities to pick and choose from to best suit you.
If you try just one of the self-care strategies each day (they are easy, I promise!) your mind will thank you now, and when the world eventually resumes to its hustle and bustle, you might just be grateful you learnt some tips on how to retreat from it all.
Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, face-mask lover, hater, or somewhere in between - I think you might just find something in there to help you ease into your own company and find a little bit of joy.
And, if you do find it useful – please encourage your friends/family members/anyone who you think would benefit to head to my website and download it, for free of course. The more people that can benefit from these tips in any way, the better – and I would be so beyond grateful for your support in sharing the message.
Feeling like I can do even the littlest bit to help others is a way of saving my own sanity too.
Take care – and please do reach out if you ever feel like a chat. I’m here to support you however I can.
Em x
Wishing you all the best as you being your journey to embracing your solitude… I’d love to hear any of your thoughts or feedback on retreat yourself 101, so please feel free to share in the comments below.
