The Point of Retreating is Returning

There are sometimes specific moments I really appreciate decisions that past me made that future (or current) me gets to enjoy. One of the most recent is my 5-day trip to Durango, CO for an artist, lettering, creative, and NOVAScribes retreat. A decision made (and mostly paid for) in Q1, that September me gets to enjoy.

I’m a co-organizer of the volunteer-run NOVAScribes meetup for visual practitioners and over the past several years we (the co-organizers) have retreated to a big house in a nature place (the Poconos, the Shenandoah mountains, and now Colorado) for a long weekend (~ish) of mostly unfacilitated time to work on creative projects with peers.

They’re delightful experiences with cool people where we nerd out about marker nibs and ink colors, practice lettering the alphabet in various styles, and talk about business, strategy, and plans. Paired with sharing food, beautiful views, and trips to the local hot springs, I often want to stay longer.

And, the point of retreating is returning.

It’s returning with renewed energy, inspiration, and deeper connections. Having ideas that can be developed into full-blown concepts or tangible projects. Getting off the plane and coming home with new knowledge to integrate into my work, life, and creativity.

Over the years I have developed a strong introspection and reflection practice. I feel that is how the learning and takeaways get integrated into my day-to-day. I take book notes on most of the non-fiction books I read. I’ve been journaling consistently since 1999.

As a business owner, I build moments of reflection and forward-looking strategy into my workshops, my business practices, and my life. And I like facilitating those moments for others.

We are consistently retreating and returning as we move through seasons and cycles. I suppose the question is whether you do it deliberately in a thoughtful and designed way or just default to the status quo.

Aside: I’m likely going to do a semi-facilitated reflection and strategy session for solopreneurs and creatives in mid-November. If you’re interested let me know or keep an eye out for future announcements about it.

Building a Business

Another decision past me made that current (and future) me gets to benefit from is joining WAIM - an un-boring online business coaching program with Jason and Caroline Zook.

The active community on Slack and the deep library of WAIM resources have been impactful in helping me grow and pivot my business over the past year as I mentioned before.

I even contributed to a Brand Values Not Bland Values Roundtable organized by a WAIM member - Petchy - that is ongoing throughout October! Sign up for the free roundtable and check out my contribution - The Value of Freedom & The Power of Structure as a Solopreneur - that’s going live on October 10th.

WAIM is the gift that keeps on giving too, as I know that future me will continue to get more and more benefits.