6 Truths I learned on retreat…that have changed how I show up for myself
Here’s the truth: most people go on retreat, feel incredible for a week… and then let the magic fade the second they get home. I’m NOT okay with that, and you don’t have to be either.
Whether you’ve been on countless retreats, are dreaming of your first, or just want to feel more connected and lit-up in your daily life, I’m sharing six lessons I learned on retreat that have completely changed how I show up for myself. And, more importantly, how you can weave them into your everyday so the transformation sticks.
1. Set the Mood, Set the Tone
One of the first things I do on retreat is create a space that feels cocooning, nurturing, and safe. The ambience is intentional, from the way the room smells to the music playing. Why? Because environment shapes how we feel and as much as we like to say ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’, we still do, because first impressions matter.
This idea can be incorporated into your everyday, this might look like lighting incense before you open your laptop, putting on a playlist that inspires you, journaling first ting in the morning to get whats on your mind out, and onto the page or making your morning coffee feel like a scared ritual. The first impression of your day sets the tone for how you’ll continue to show up for yourself.
2. Slowing Down is Not Laziness
For years, I believed slowing down meant I was being unproductive and lazy. How very wrong I was, now I know it’s essential. On retreats, the schedule always includes open space for integration, time to let the breakthroughs land.
In your day-to-day, give yourself breathing room. Leave gaps in your calendar. Go for a slow walk without your phone. Slowing down means ideas and inspiration have room to find you and land.
3. Your Nervous System Runs the Show
If your nervous system is frazzled, everything feels harder. When it’s regulated, you think clearer, feel calmer, and connect more deeply.
For me, this looks like regular yoga, breathwork (sometimes just a few deep breaths before bed), sound healing, sharing how I really feel and time in nature. Find what brings you back to balance, and make it part of your non-negotiables.
4. Connection is Medicine
The magic of a retreat is often in the women you meet and the conversations you have. True connection reminds you you’re not alone in your struggles and opens your heart in ways nothing else can.
Don’t wait for a retreat to connect. Ask deeper questions of the people you love. Schedule that coffee date. Share what’s really going on. Connection with others is one of the fastest ways I’ve found to connection with myself.
5. Follow Your Joy
Joy is magnetic. On retreat, joy shows up when we try something new, laugh, cry happy tears or see the world with childlike wonder. And when we’re in joy, life flows.
So, where can you add more joy to your everyday? Dance in your kitchen. Say yes to something spontaneous. Stop taking it all so seriously (I have to remind myself of this OFTEN!) The universe works with you when you’re having fun.
6. Clarity Comes from Connection
When I’m setting a sacred vibe, slowing down, regulating my nervous system, connecting, and following my joy… clarity is a natural result. I know exactly what I want because I’m connected to myself.
If you’re feeling directionless or stuck, don’t force the answer. Come back to these five practices first, and clarity will meet you there.
Why This Matters?
Retreats work because they remove distractions, immerse you in intentional energy, and give you space to hear yourself again. But the real transformation happens when you keep going once you get home.
These six lessons are how I carry my retreat glow into everyday life, and they’re how you can too. If you’ve been craving that retreat-level clarity, connection, and calm, start here. You don’t need a plane ticket. You just need the intention to retreat yourself.
Ready for more?
Join me in Tasmania this September or Bali this October for an immersive, in real life retreat experience you’ll never forget.
Sending you my love,
Claire.
