If you had a day off just to dedicate to your writing life, what would you do with it? Sure, you could use that time to sit at your desk and just type as many words as possible.
But if you’re feeling exhausted and drained, but still want to connect with your writing life during your time off? Then what?
I’ve compiled some ideas for that kind of day, a day that helps recharge and refresh you creatively, without relying on a word count or a specific outcome to prove its worthiness. A day that gives back to you so that you can keep on creating. A low-key day that doesn’t ask much of you.
You’ll notice that this day doesn’t include actual writing, except for some reflective journaling. And that’s intentional. This is a tired writer’s retreat. If you’re coming to this retreat, I’m assuming you’ve already burned yourself out, or life has just been hitting pretty hard. So, this day lets you take a break while still investing in your writing life in a big way.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t customize your plan to include some writing sessions if that’s what you want to do! Customize this sample plan however you like. This is just a starting point.
I know many of us are on a budget these days, so I’ve also designed this day off so that it can be low-cost or free if you want. You might see options that say free and then the deluxe version if you have a little more to splurge on. This plan is designed as a starting point that you could customize to create your own fabulous solo writer’s retreat. So, feel free to keep what works and add in details of your own!
DIY tired writer’s retreat – morning
What you’ll need:
- A copy of one of your favorite books, or the book that made you want to start writing
- (Optional) Candle, wind chimes, bell, coffee mug and spoon
- A journal or some paper for journaling
- (Deluxe option) A new journal
- A pen or pencil
- (Deluxe option) A new pen
- Access to the internet
| Activity | Free or low-cost option | Deluxe Option |
| Initiation and transition into your day | Use this free guided meditation for writers to take a fanciful journey in your imagination and meet with a representation of your writing muse. If you want, look around your home and see if you can find a candle, bell, or something else that you can use as a signal to yourself that you are entering a calm, creative space. You can even just tap a metal spoon against your coffee mug! | Use this free guided meditation for writers to take a fanciful journey in your imagination and meet with a representation of your writing muse. Buy yourself a new candle, some chimes, or a bell that you can use before you meditate or write to give your body and mind a signal that you’re entering a peaceful space of creativity. |
| Breakfast, reading, and reflective journaling | Do at least one thing to make breakfast special for yourself. Prepare it slowly, or let yourself have a treat you normally deny yourself. If weather allows, enjoy your meal outside. Take your coffee or beverage to the park. Whatever it takes to shake you out of your regular routine or bring a sense of peacefulness. While you enjoy your favorite morning drink, read a few pages from the book that made you first want to start writing. Journal about what you still notice about this well-loved book, and how your perspective about it has changed over time. | Go to your favorite breakfast place, cafe, or coffee shop. While you enjoy your favorite morning drink, read a few pages from the book that made you first want to start writing. Journal about what you still notice about this well-loved book, and how your perspective about it has changed over time. |
| Vision board planning | Create a digital vision board, or create a physical vision board using supplies you already own, containing your hopes and dreams for your writing life. Set the mood with music, candles, or anything else that makes you feel creative. | Create a physical vision board using supplies you already own, containing your hopes and dreams for your writing life. If you’re missing any supplies, take it as an excuse to go shopping to the craft store! |
| Setting a future intention | After reflecting on what got you inspired to write and what you want for your future, download your free copy of the Mini Writer’s Restorative and pick out an affirmation card that speaks to you most. Choose a meaningful place to keep your affirmation: It could be in your wallet, on your bulletin board, or even taped on your mirror or car dashboard. | Pick out your affirmation card from the Mini Writer’s Restorative, and then take things a step further by looking for a decorative wall print, piece of jewelry, bookmark, or other meaningful keepsake with an inspirational quotation that means something to you in your writing journey. |
DIY tired writer’s retreat – afternoon
What you’ll need:
- (Optional) A friend
- A journal and pen or pencil
| Activity | Free or low-cost option | Deluxe option |
| Lunchtime or after-lunch socialization | After lunch at home, have coffee, a walk, a call, or a video chat with one or more writer friends. Talk about your writing journey. There’s nothing better than having community with other writers. If you don’t have a writer friend yet, that’s okay! Spend some time researching local writing groups or online writing groups. | Set up lunch or another fun activity with one or more writer friends. Talk about your writing journey. There’s nothing better than having community with other writers. If you don’t have a writer friend yet, that’s okay! Spend some time researching local writing groups or online writing groups. |
| Gentle movement break | Take a walk while listening to a podcast or audiobook that inspires you in your writing journey. | Take a walk while listening to a podcast or audiobook that inspires you in your writing journey. Feel free to splurge a little and buy yourself a new audiobook. It’s an investment in your craft! |
| Field trip | Field trip time! Go to your local art museum, library, local history museum, or other free or low-cost location. Choose somewhere you don’t go on a regular basis. Look at this place with fresh eyes primed with inspiration, but also just allow yourself to enjoy it. If you don’t have transportation, think about going to a place in your neighborhood or even just in your home that you usually overlook. Bring fresh eyes to this place, and see if you can notice any details that you never saw before. Bring a notebook and jot down your observations or ideas as they come to you. | Field trip time! Is there somewhere in your community you keep saying you’re going to visit, or an experience you want to have but haven’t gotten to yet? Well, now is the time to go! Feel free to spend a little money if you can. You deserve it! |
| Reflective journaling | Take 15-30 minutes to journal about your experience. Here are some prompts to start with: -What did you learn or take away from your personal writing retreat? -What worked well for you during your retreat? -What would you change next time you do this again? -What feeling or insight are you going to take from this special day and try to carry with you into your daily life? Take a photo to commemorate the moment! | Take 15-30 minutes to journal about your experience. Here are some prompts to start with: -What did you learn or take away from your personal writing retreat? -What worked well for you during your retreat? -What would you change next time you do this again? -What feeling or insight are you going to take from this special day and try to carry with you into your daily life? Take a photo to commemorate the moment! |
| Prize | Door prize time! You already did a big thing by investing in yourself today, but you deserve another prize. Feel free to grab this free Writing Habit Tracker at the end of your retreat. When you get your tracker, you’ll also get free emails from me that will help you in your writing journey, as well as free stories! | Door prize time! Get your free Writing Habit Tracker. Then, buy yourself an ebook, a new bookmark, a kindle cover, pen, or other small token of appreciation. You deserve it! Some starter suggestions: The Writer’s Restorative A Cup of Comfort for Writers Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life |
DIY Writer’s Retreat Worksheet | Free Download
I created a simple PDF that you can print and use to write down your own personal writer’s retreat activities, and I also included two pages of journal prompts to help you process your experience. If you would like to use this resource, just sign up for my email newsletter, and by doing so, you’ll also get access to my mini writer’s restorative workbook, as well as more resources, news, and stories, directly in your inbox! You can unsubscribe at any time.
Reach out!
Tell me in the comments: Have you ever crafted a day like this, or would you ever consider doing so? I would love to hear about your stories and experiences. I truly hope that these ideas and resources help you.
Write on, writer. Write on!
Katie Bennett 