What’s a retreat?
A retreat is whatever you need it to be, says Caroline Sylge
A retreat is any place or space where you can rest and replenish away from the world – whatever that means to you at a particular time.
It’s a chance to step out of your daily life and get back in touch with yourself - to meet your demons, deal with your issues, heal your body, kick start your creativity - or simply to rest deeply and do absolutely nothing.
A retreat can be a beautifully-crafted, private wellbeing break led by an expert team. A life coaching or mentoring week to help you plan for a new chapter in your life or business. A cleansing, fitness-focused or adventurous yoga holiday with a like-minded group that runs on set-dates in gorgeous locations, or a traditional, monastic-style space such as an ashram or Buddhist retreat.
At other times a retreat might be a writing, painting or similarly arty escape, or a place of sanctuary where you can rest, replenish, reconsider and renew when you need to. It could be full-blown destination spa with rituals, medical attention and state of the art facilities. But equally your retreat of the moment could simply be a cabin in the woods or a boutique bolthole where you can relax and recharge.
Retreating will mean different things to different people at different life stages.
What will your next retreat be?
