Finding time for a solo creative retreat

In late October, I joined my husband for a writing retreat that his university hosted at the Northern Illinois University Lorado Taft Field Campus in Oregon, IL. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I decided to organize my own creative retreat.

The campus is nestled in the woods of Lowden State Park, near the Rock River. It was a crisp but beautiful autumn morning. Dry leaves crunched beneath my feet. I pulled out my typewriter and sat down at it. This was probably the last time I'd write in public like this this year, I reasoned. Absorbed with writing, the noises of squirrels chasing each other or falling leaves would occasionally break the silence, bringing me back to the present moment and reminding me of my surroundings.

A typewriter in a public place always catches people's attention. During the break, one of the faculty members described how, as a child, she used to type essays on her mother's typewriter. She wanted to know where I had my typewriter serviced. Another gentleman asked how old the typewriter was as he pointed to her. It's always enjoyable to engage in such conversations.

When my hands began to get cold, I went inside to one of the halls that also served as a dining area. The view overlooked the river. I read a little and sketched some notes for a blog post. After my husband had finished his work, we ended the retreat in the most rejuvenating way possible: camping in Lowden State Park.

It’s always a good idea to change your environment every now and then because it brings new ideas. Nothing recharges me more than being alone with my own thoughts, having a way to express them, and being away from electronic devices. It felt like such a good day, spent writing, reading, and sketching while being outside a lot. I hope you will find a way, dear reader, to incorporate such retreats into your own schedule.