A Guide to Solo Retreats: Reflect and Realign with Purpose
Something I’d love to normalize — the solo retreat.
Solo getaways have always been essential to my sanity and well-being, especially since becoming a parent. Alone time is sacred, and finding moments to step away from the noise has been critical for my sense of clarity and purpose.
I’m a huge advocate for all types of retreats— it’s why I created Well in France, after all! But the solo retreat holds a special place in my heart. It’s about intentionally carving out time to pause, reflect, and realign with what really matters to you.
And you don’t need to wait for the perfect moment, travel far from home, or make it overly complicated — the beauty of a solo retreat is in its simplicity.
My Experience: The mAGIC of a Solo Retreat
Recently, I was hit with an intense craving for alone time. This happens every few months.
So I went online and found a light-filled little cabin in the Loire Valley, about two hours outside of Paris. It felt like the perfect place to escape the noise of the city and the busyness of everyday life.
I also coordinated with my husband, to make sure childcare was covered! Two days is pretty doable.
This solo retreat was all about comfort, coziness, and being present with myself. I also wanted to spend some time answering important questions that had been stirring, like: What’s truly most important to me? Am I honoring those priorities? How can I be more intentional with my limited time and energy?
Over the course of just two days (and lots of journaling) I came out with so much clarity on my values, purpose, and priorities — which are foundational to “living with intention”, something we hear so much about.
For me, a solo retreat is like an alignment check for the soul. It’s a chance to strip away the distractions and noise, to hear your own thoughts, and see what bubbles up.
While you don’t necessarily need to leave home to give yourself this kind of reset — I’ve found that a change of scenery helps give me that fresh perspective I need.
And if you have kids at home, I definitely recommend escaping somewhere free of interruptions for your solo retreat! Just one night away can work wonders.
Why a Solo Retreat Is Your Soul-Alignment Check
Modern life is easily overwhelming — city living, constant stimulation, and never-ending to-do lists can leave us feeling numb, disconnected from a true sense of purpose and direction.
For me, a solo retreat is the antidote to slipping into autopilot, a proactive way to make sure I’m “living on purpose.”
By stepping away from our routines, even for just a day or two, we can create space for clarity to emerge and to reconnect with our priorities. It’s a deliberate pause, a chance to recalibrate.
However, a solo retreat is not the same as “solo travel” — it’s not about keeping busy or sightseeing. It’s about slowing down, tuning in, and simply being with yourself. That’s where the magic happens.
How to Plan Your Own Solo Retreat
Planning a solo retreat doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s my simple process:
Find the Right Space: Start by visualizing the ambiance you’re craving. For me, this time it was a cozy cabin with a fireplace, surrounded by nature. I wanted something simple, warm, and comforting. (For others, it might be a hotel by the sea or even a quiet corner at home.) I keep an ongoing Airbnb wishlist of potential retreat spots.
Keep Travel Simple: I chose somewhere within 2-3 hours by train from home (Paris). The less transport, the better. You don’t want to start your retreat feeling stressed by travel.
Set Your Intention: Before you go, ask yourself what you need from this time. My recent retreat was about processing emotions, releasing the past, and setting more purposeful goals for the future. Maybe for you, it’s about reconnecting with a long-neglected passion or just indulging your body with sleep and self-care.
Packing Essentials: Here’s what I packed for my retreat to make sure I felt cozy and present:
Comfy clothes and warm socks
Outdoor shoes & raincoat for nature walks
My journal and favorite pens
A good book
A bluetooth speaker and playlist
Palo Santo and candles for setting the mood
Simple, nourishing foods (I made a big pot of soup when I arrived) and my favorite beverages (fresh ginger tea, lavender cacao)
A lightweight yoga mat for stretching and meditation
I purposely left behind things like AirPods and makeup — this retreat was about simplicity, not stimulation or socializing!
WHAT TO DO DURING Your Solo Retreat
Here are some simple, introspective activities you can incorporate into your solo time:
Journaling: Keep a journal nearby to capture thoughts and feelings as they come up.
Yoga or Meditation: Create space for movement or stillness, depending on what your body needs. For me, I did yoga a couple times a day, when my body was craving it, which felt like a real treat.
Nature Walks: If you’re near nature, take time to breathe it in and clear your mind.
Music: I had a playlist ready with my favorite chill sounds like Beach House, José Gonzales, Dante Bucci, Fleetwood Mac, and more, setting a reflective mood for the weekend.
Comforting Rituals: Light candles, drink tea, and embrace comforting foods that make you feel nourished and vibrant.
Creative Time: use the alone time to rekindle a creative passion like drawing, painting, dancing, writing…
Self-Reflection: You can use oracle cards as prompts, or just explore questions that come up like “What’s going well in my life?” or “What do I care deeply about that’s not getting enough attention from me?” Sometimes your mind will bring up questions all by itself ;)
post-retreat: The Reward of Clarity
It’s amazing what just 48 hours of time and space alone can do. Deep insights and personal truths can emerge — things we rarely have time to acknowledge in the hustle of daily life.
In the end, my solo retreat left me feeling clear, grounded, and reconnected to my purpose.
If you’ve been craving time alone to reflect and realign, I highly recommend planning your own solo retreat. It doesn’t have to be fancy or far from home — just an intentional container for reflection.
And if you’re looking for support in your self-reflection journey, consider joining us for our upcoming Winter Reboot Retreat in Normandy.
It’s the perfect opportunity to go nourish your body and soul, and get clarity on your vision and purpose for the year ahead, with a small group of like-hearted people.
Happy retreating!