There’s something uniquely powerful about stepping away—physically, mentally, emotionally—from the everyday rhythms that keep us tethered to doing instead of being. Retreating isn’t just about going somewhere else. It’s about coming back to yourself.

This time last year, I gave myself permission to retreat. Not just for rest, but to focus, align and distill. I made 2 weeks of space—mentally, emotionally, and physically—to write what would eventually become Move. Think. Rest. Thankfully, I had structured to-do’s for each day of writing based on the guidance from my wonderful developmental editor, Danielle Goodman..And still, I was actually feeling quite nervous about the prospect of just… writing every day. It sounded both romantic and horrifying.  I just knew I needed to be still enough to hear what was ready to emerge. 

Here’s what it took to get there:

Step 1: Envision. You must dream up what your retreat will be like.

Step 2: Commit. I committed to the retreat. I blocked out 2 weeks on my calendar without knowing where I would go or how it would all come together within my budget.

Step 3: Ask for Help. I asked for advice. I texted the following message to 5 different friends: 

“Hey there! I’m going on a retreat May 13 – May 18 to get a chunk of writing done on my book. I’m envisioning writing every day from 8am to 2pm and then going into some nice turquoise water for a swim. Got any recommendations about where I should stay? Thanks!” 

Within 40 minutes a friend texted me back that her beachside condo in Miami was available at a really reasonable rate!

Step 4: Retreat! 😊

Move. Think. Rest. was born out of lots of observation. And my writing retreat proved that deadlines can help to carve out the quiet, intentional moments necessary to reconnect—with my purpose, with my rhythm, and with rest. It’s no coincidence that the heart of the book reflects the essence of retreating: movement that’s intentional, thought that’s uncluttered, and rest that’s sacred.

Writing Move. Think. Rest. was more than a creative process—it was a personal transformation. I learned that retreating isn’t about escaping your life; it’s about reentering it with clarity. It’s a chance to reset, to remember what matters, and to move forward from a place of alignment rather than exhaustion.

As I continue to evolve, both as a writer and as a woman, I hold this truth close: you don’t have to go far to retreat, but you do have to go inward. Whether you’re writing a book or rewriting your life, retreating might just be the most radical and restorative step you can take.

Pre-Order the book, Move. Think. Rest. here!

P.S.! Here are two articles I’ve written that give you practical guidance on micro-retreating. You do not need to spend a ton of money or travel to a far off location to build retreating into your life.

1. 3 East Micro-Retreats to Help you Pause & Reconnect with Yourself  (SHE Media January 13, 2023)
2. Why Taking a Strategic Pause is the Secret to Peak Productivity  (Inc Magazine March 30, 2025)