Taking time for yourself can feel like a luxury, but it’s actually a necessity. With all the pressures of modern life—work, family, social commitments—it’s easy to lose yourself in the busyness. A solo retreat offers you the space and freedom to unwind, recharge, and focus on your personal needs. Whether you’re seeking quiet reflection, creative inspiration, or just some peace and quiet, a solo retreat can be a transformative experience.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about planning your own solo retreat—from choosing a location to designing the perfect agenda.
Do you listen to podcasts? You can also check out Episode 219 on the Happy Women Travel More Podcast.
What is a Solo Retreat?
A solo retreat is exactly what it sounds like: time away by yourself. But it’s more than just being alone. It’s a purposeful break from your daily routine that allows you to recharge mentally, emotionally, and physically. Unlike a regular vacation, where the focus is usually about exploring a destination, a solo retreat is all about you—your needs, your desires, and your personal goals.
It’s about creating a space where you can focus on self care, mindfulness, or even personal growth projects. Whether you want to journal, binge-watch your favorite series, dive into a stack of books, get ahead on some things you keep putting off, or simply sleep for hours, the retreat is entirely yours to shape.
How to Plan Your Solo Retreat
Now that you know what a solo retreat is, it’s time to plan your own! Below are some practical tips to help you create the perfect escape tailored to your needs.
1. Choose a Location that is NOT Your Home But Doesn’t Require a Flight
Leaving your home is non-negotiable for a successful solo retreat. Even if you love your space, staying at home won’t allow you to truly disconnect from your routine. The laundry will still call your name, and you’ll be tempted to tackle those house projects you’ve put off for years. By stepping out of your everyday environment, you give yourself the opportunity to really unwind.
But you don’t need to go far! The goal isn’t a big adventure, it’s rest and relaxation. Choose a location that’s within driving distance to avoid the stress of airports or long travel days. Whether it’s a cozy cabin in the woods, a peaceful beachside inn, or a quiet bed-and-breakfast, the change of scenery will help you shift into retreat mode.
Curious About Where I Take Solo Retreats? Here’s Where I Go: I travel anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours (via car) from where I live in Texas.
2. Plan for a Minimum of 3 Nights (But No More Than 5)
You don’t need weeks to feel refreshed—a solo retreat should be restorative, not overwhelming. A stay of 3 to 5 nights is ideal. It gives you enough time to settle in, unwind, and get the full experience without disrupting your life back home for too long.
The first day of any retreat is usually about decompressing from the stress of travel and your daily responsibilities. By day two, you’ll start to feel more relaxed, and by day three, you’ll be fully immersed in your retreat. If you stay longer than five nights, you may start to feel restless or fall back into the desire to be productive, so keep it short and sweet.
Curious About What I Do? Here’s How Long My Solo Retreats Are: 3 nights, 4 days
3. Define Your ‘Why’ for the Retreat
Before you pack your bags, take some time to figure out why you’re going on this retreat. Are you emotionally drained and need a reset? Are you looking for quiet time to work on a creative project? Or do you simply want uninterrupted time to sleep and recharge?
Knowing your ‘why’ will help you shape the rest of your retreat. It will guide your choices, from where you stay to what you do. You’ll get the most out of the experience if you’re clear on what you need.
Curious About What I Do? Read more for a behind-the-scenes look at some of my past solo staycation retreats.
4. Create a [Loose] Agenda
A successful solo retreat is intentional, but not rigid. Once you know why you’re retreating, create a loose agenda. This doesn’t mean scheduling every minute of your day, but having a framework for how you want to spend your time will help prevent the dreaded “what now?” moments.
If your goal is rest, make sure to block out time for naps and long, luxurious lounging. If you want to read or journal, set aside specific times to do so. You can always adjust your plans, but having some structure will help you make the most of your retreat.
Curious About What I Do? Read more about how I structure my retreat.
5. Pick Accommodations that Support Your Needs
The place you stay is basically your entire trip, so choose wisely. Ask yourself, what kind of environment will best support your ‘why’ and the agenda you’ve designed? If solitude and nature are important to you, consider renting a remote cabin. If you feel safer in a hotel or want access to amenities like room service, book a hotel room that supports your need for comfort.
Look for spaces that give you room to breathe and move. You don’t want to be stuck in a cramped space where you feel stifled. Whether it’s a rental with beautiful outdoor space or a hotel with a spa, make sure it aligns with your retreat goals.
Curious About What I Do? Here Are Key Amenities I Look For:
- Multiple sitting areas indoors – i.e. the couch, a desk area, a comfy chair for reading
- Outdoor porch or sitting area with a nice view of nature
- Space or opportunities for walks outdoors (note: I bring my dog with me)
6. Set a Bedtime and Wake-Up Time
This tip might sound too rigid, but stick with me. The idea is to be intentional with your time so it doesn’t just slip away from you. Whether you decide to sleep in until 10:30 or get up early, just make a decision and go with it. It gives your day structure and helps you feel like you’re making the most of it.
This is about being aware of how many hours are in the day and using them wisely. You’ve got time to do all the things you want to do, but setting a schedule ensures that you actually do them. Whether it’s sleeping late or sticking to a consistent routine, the choice is yours – just make it and stick to it.
Curious About What I Do? Here’s My Typical Bedtime and Wake-Up Time: I usually like to wake up around 7:00 am and go to bed before 11:00 pm.
7. Switch Activities Every 2 Hours
A good rule of thumb for a solo retreat is to switch things up after two hours. This keeps you from getting stuck in one mode for too long. I like to follow a recipe of rest and fun, personal growth, and focused work. It’s a great mix that helps me feel rested, nourished, and productive all at once.
So if you’ve been binging Netflix for two hours, it’s time to switch gears. Maybe go for a walk, do some journaling, or tackle a small project. Likewise, if you’ve been deep into work for two hours, take a break and read or relax. The idea is to balance your time between all the things you want to do so you don’t feel drained in one area.
Curious About What I Do? Here’s My Go-To Activity Switch: If I’ve found myself doing the same activity for 2 hours, I will stop myself and go for a walk with my dog. It’s a great way to break up my day and keep the momentum. Sometimes we’ll take 4 or 5 walks per day!
8. Plan Simple Meals
Food can really eat into your time (pun intended), so plan it out ahead of time. I learned the hard way that I don’t want to be cooking or running out to pick up food during my retreat. If you can have food delivered, that’s great, but if not, prepping meals before you go is a game-changer.
You don’t want to spend half your retreat thinking about where your next meal is coming from – plan ahead so you can focus on relaxing.
Curious About What I Do? Here’s My Typical Meal Plan: I like to cook a few of my favorite meals at home and bring them along to heat up as leftovers. For breakfast, I always have easy, delicious options on hand.
9. Don’t Hold Back on Packing Comfort Items
Whether it’s cozy pajamas or clothes that make you feel put-together, pack what makes you feel good. You’re going to be relaxing, so you want to be comfortable, but that doesn’t mean grungy. Bring your favorites or treat yourself to something new for this retreat – it’s all part of the self-care.
Don’t forget practical items like slip-on shoes for lounging indoors and sturdy shoes if you plan to do some walking. If comfort is key for you, bring along your own blanket or pillow. Since you’re not flying, you can pack whatever little comforts will make your retreat feel extra special.
Curious About What I Do? Here’s What Comfort Items I Always Pack: Cozy couch blanket, favorite PJs, face masks for DIY pampering, slip-on shoes for indoor lounging, appropriate outdoor footwear for exploring, my dog’s bed and blankets (and additional dog towels for messes)
10. Be Flexible and Stay Tuned into Your Needs
Here’s the thing – you can plan ahead for how you will spend your precious time during your retreat all you want, but also remember that it’s totally okay to adjust once you’re there. Maybe you thought you’d want to binge-watch TV, but after a few hours, you’re feeling restless. That’s a sign that you might need something more stimulating, like a walk or some journaling.
Don’t be afraid to change things up. Just because you planned something doesn’t mean you have to stick to it if it’s not serving you in the moment. This retreat is for YOU, so be flexible and give yourself permission to adjust based on how you’re feeling.
Curious About What I Do? Here’s How This Often Looks For Me: I often plan to be super productive, but then realize I have way more on my list than I actually have time for, and end up wanting more rest or fun.
Plan a Solo Staycation Retreat
A solo retreat can be an incredibly rewarding way to recharge, refocus, and reconnect with yourself. It doesn’t have to be complicated—just intentional. With a little bit of planning and the right mindset, you’ll come away from your solo retreat feeling refreshed, reenergized, and ready to tackle whatever life throws your way.
Remember, this is your time. Whether it’s three days or five, make the most of it by staying present, pampering yourself, and staying true to your ‘why.’ Happy retreating!
