A Highlights Retreat
Highlights, the children’s magazine that you can find in the pediatrician’s offices and dental offices, has a retreat center in Honesdale, PA. When I lived in Utah, I would dream of figuring out how to go and take an in person workshop there. There were obstacles: like the cost of a plane ticket, who would watch my babies while my husband was at work, and the $900-$1200 for the workshop. I always wished that I lived within driving distance.
Well, now I do. For Christmas this year, I asked for a personal retreat at the Highlights Foundation campus.
To stay sane, every once in awhile, I need a break. I remember my last personal break came the March before we moved to CT. I went to San Diego all by myself. The guy behind the rental car counter was amazed that I didn’t bring any girl friends with me. I was not amazed. I needed time for myself, by myself. It helps me to reset and to recharge.
On the last day of January, I could feel that I was in the exact same space as I was in March 2018.
I was fortunate. Highlights only opens the center when there are at least 6 guests. I lucked out because they were open the week of Feb 7th.
The retreat comes with food, heat, a personal cabin, and lots of spaces to do your work outside your cabin as well as a desk inside your cabin. My day started with doing yoga by myself in the barn with their equipment. (When more people are there, they have an instructor) Then I got a shower and got ready for the day and returned in time for a protein filled breakfast. I sat by interesting people at meals and we all shared our projects with each other in a meaningful way and then we all went back to our cabins or other spots we had found on campus to do the work we brought with us. We got back together at lunch. Separated in the afternoon, and came back together at 6 pm for a gourmet dinner. By the time dinner was over, I was usually exhausted and I’d return to my cabin to unwind, relax, call home, and climb in bed.
I was pampered and supported while I worked on my personal projects. The day I ventured out to find the Art Coop, two members of staff went out of their way to make sure I had heat in the space. I loved spreading out my art on the large table in the Art Coop that I had all to myself. The space had things I had not brought with me that helped me be successful in my art explorations too.
The center’s effort to feed you starts before you arrive when they ask about any food allergies or diet needs: like gluten free, vegan, or pork free. Then they cater the meal around the needs of the members of the group. I had asked for lots of veggies and protein. We had salads at every meal and fresh fruit. I was really impressed over how little starch (like pasta) was on offer. The food was gourmet and delicious.
This is the first winter that Highlights has been opened for personal retreats. I hope they continue to stay open in the winter.
I really enjoyed unplugging from everything. I pulled out some old stories from my storytelling days and started crafting the manuscripts for the picture book market. I was inspired to start a new picture book idea from talking with others at meals. I got publishing advice after breakfast from an award winning author. By the time my retreat was over, I had rough drafts of 3 additional books, and starts at 2 more books that I’m toying with. And, I feel like I now have a way forward to continue to work on these manuscripts. I explored a new style for my art and I even took one manuscript and cut out 10% of the word count on my first pass.
What was wonderful about this personal retreat was I had just the right amount of socializing for me. Conferences and workshops give me great information and a lot of socializing opportunities. But not a lot of work time. Everyone there was on a personal retreat and it was so nice to be among a group of people who spent their time getting their work done and then came together to talk about what they did that day and their goals for the future. I think I might just spend my conference and workshop budget this year on personal retreats. I made deep connections and great strides on my work in the past 4 days.