How to Prepare for a Retreat: Arrive Open, Grounded, and Ready

15 Dec

A retreat isn’t just time away, it’s an intentional pause. Whether you’re coming for rest, healing, creativity, or connection, a little preparation can help you arrive more present and receive more deeply from the experience.

Below is a gentle, grounded guide to preparing for your retreat before you even pack your bag.

1. Clarify Your Retreat Intentions

You don’t need a rigid agenda, but having a felt sense of why you’re coming creates a powerful inner compass.

Before you arrive, take a moment to reflect:

What called you to this retreat now?
What feels depleted or overfull in your life?
How do you want to feel when you leave?

Try completing these sentences in a journal:

I am coming on this retreat because…
Right now, I am craving more…
By the end of the retreat, I hope to feel…

Hold these intentions lightly. Retreats often give us what we need, not always what we expect.

2. Start a Pre-Retreat Journaling Practice

Journaling before a retreat helps clear mental clutter so you don’t bring everything with you energetically.

You might explore:

What feels unfinished in my life right now?
What am I ready to release or soften?
Where have I been pushing instead of listening?

Even 5–10 minutes a day in the week leading up to your retreat can create space and self-awareness.

Tip: Don’t aim to “fix” anything, just witness what’s present.

3. Prepare Your Nervous System

Retreats work best when we arrive regulated enough to slow down.

In the days before you travel, try to:

Reduce caffeine and alcohol
Get consistent sleep
Spend time outdoors
Practice gentle breathwork or stretching

If possible, avoid over-scheduling right before you leave. Giving yourself a buffer day (or even an evening) can make a huge difference.

4. What to Pack: A Thoughtful Retreat Packing List

While specifics vary depending on location, here’s a retreat-friendly packing guide:

Essentials

Comfortable clothing for movement, rest, and layering
A journal and pen you love using
Reusable water bottle
Personal toiletries (reef-safe / eco-conscious if possible)
Any medications or supplements

For Comfort & Presence

A light shawl, wrap or sarong
Cozy socks
An eye mask & earplugs
A small personal item for your altar or bedside (stone, photo, token)

Natural insect repellent
A book or two (see inspiration below)
Breathable, comfy clothes in natural fabrics
Swimming clothes

Leave at home: work laptops (if you can), “just in case” outfits, and anything that pulls you into productivity mode.

5. Feed Your Mind Gently: Podcasts & Books That Inspire

In the lead-up to a retreat, what you consume matters. Choose content that expands, soothes, or inspires—rather than heavy news cycles or dark narratives.

Podcast Recommendations (Uplifting & Reflective)

On Being with Krista Tippett
The Tim Ferriss Show (select episodes on healing, creativity, or spirituality)
Sounds True: Insights at the Edge
The Daily Meditation Podcast