Create Your Own Art Retreat

Have you ever wanted to attend an art or a writer's retreat? What stood in your way? Time? Money? Well, you don't need to leave your own home to enjoy a retreat especially tailored to you.

God doesn't want us to sit around self-absorbed all the time, but He does want us to rest, recuperate, and enjoy the life Jesus died to give us. God definitely does not need one more sour-faced Christian, so treat yourself once in awhile to a retreat!

Pre-Retreat Planning

• Clean your house! Really. Use your early mornings or evenings before your planned retreat to get your home really clean.
• Decide what kind of creative retreat you will have. Will it be an artist's retreat? An author's retreat? Both?
• Spend a lunch break or two doing some research to choose a project (this is for those of you like me who would spend the whole retreat anxiously trying to figure out what to do). You don't need to spend money here. YouTube is a great resource. Another favorite resource of mine is Skillshare--an online learning community with thousands of classes in design, art, business, writing, tech, and much more. It is a paid community, but you can try it out for free. I'm not suggesting you pay for Skillshare, but you can use the links here to try it for two weeks.
• Gather your supplies. If you're creating art, think about what you have that will work. If you're writing, gather your best pen and your favorite notebooks or journals (yes, longhand). Splurge a bit if you can afford it and buy one new amazing art supply or a beautiful journal.
• Get your space ready. Imagine the atmosphere of the perfect creative retreat. Are there candles there? Essential oils? Cinnamon is my favorite! Is there music or a peaceful quietness?
• Buy groceries and plan meals. Let's face it--you still have to eat, and so does your family unless you live alone. Have everything ready to cook or precook. You would definitely have nice sit-down meals at a retreat! Again planning is key here. You don't want to spend half your time preparing meals.
• Decide on the length of time for your retreat. Is it the entire weekend? Maybe it's just three hours. Set that time aside in your schedule and show up on time!

During the Retreat

• Enjoy it! Don't think about things you should be doing or what the end product should be.
• Sip hot tea, coffee, red wine...whatever makes you smile.
• Turn off the television, the phone, and the computer (unless you're using it for a tutorial during the retreat).
• Enjoy the time alone or invite your family to join the adventure!
• Thank God for what you have.

After the Retreat

• Take on challenges with renewed energy!
• Treat someone else to a break from the day-to-day stresses.
• Thank God for His blessings.