Off Duty.

Written By Jacqueline Heil

It really just takes a little time, planning and ingenuity to create a retreat at home. The Art of Retreating provides ideas and inspiration for setting up your at home spa. Here is a roadmap to get the basics together to create a home sanctuary. It doesn’t require a lot of money, just some forethought and preparation.

1) determine your schedule and plan a day on your calendar.

2) if you are off duty you are off duty. remove any and all distractions in advance such as your partner, your children, your work, and other obligations. in order to be unavailable you need to put boundaries in place to make this time feasible.

3) gather items in advance to make your sanctuary more enriching. here are some ideas:

  • Candles

  • yoga mat

  • soft blanket

  • journal

  • healthy food & beverages

  • bath products/essential oils

  • inspiring reading material

  • guided meditations (apps, you tube, etc.)

  • other items that resonate with you

4) set your intentions for the day such as how do you want to feel (could be as simple as “three hours without hearing my kids screaming”

5) focus on areas where you need to nurture yourself or you feel out of balance

6) journal or write intentions for change

7) end with a practice of gratitude for all of the blessings in your life

Do whatever it takes to create moments like this in your life, in order to replenish and refill your own well.

Jacqueline Heil