Just lately, my sister Elizabeth and I returned from our Studying Retreat 2025, in Los Olivos, California.
This yr, our yearly problem is to “Learn 25 in ’25,” so we’ve been doing many alternative issues to spend extra time studying. As an illustration, we’re doing Simon Haisell’s Gradual Learn of Warfare and Peace, and we each did “Learn 25 Day” in June. A retreat appeared like one other enjoyable solution to carry extra studying into our days.
A number of months in the past, we’d had the concept for the retreat, and we’d been attempting to determine when and the place to have it.
Then I discovered that I wanted to journey to L.A. for work. As a result of I used to be planning to stick with Elizabeth in Encino, we determined to tack the retreat onto my journey. That approach, for the 2 of us, we had fewer flights to guide and fewer time spent touring. It additionally eradicated the decision-fatigue of when to carry the retreat: it needed to be earlier than or after my work dedication.
We selected Los Olivos as a spot inside driving distance of Elizabeth’s home; selected our resort, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern; booked a room; and earlier than lengthy, we had been spending two blissful days studying.
We realized just a few issues:
- we loved taking lengthy walks—to benefit from the surroundings, to get to see the neighborhood, to get some train to assist us keep nonetheless for studying
- we appreciated staying in a spot the place we might stroll in all places; it was very nice to not must get within the automobile for 2 days
- it’s enjoyable to have a same-day guide—a guide you begin and end in a single day. My same-day guide was Nevil Shute’s A City Like Alice (Amazon, Bookshop); Elizabeth’s same-day guide was Percival Everett’s James (Amazon, Bookshop).
We loved it a lot that on the drive again to Encino, we determined to make it a yearly custom (which is why I’m calling it “Studying Retreat 2025”).
Subsequent time, we wish the studying retreat to be three nights lengthy, not two. We’d have actually loved yet one more day, particularly given the journey time.
The right way to plan your individual studying retreat
Each reader deserves a little bit of devoted time to take pleasure in a great guide. Listed below are some concepts for planning your retreat:
At dwelling: Attempt a weekend morning micro-retreat—only a few hours can really feel luxurious if you happen to deal with it like an actual retreat. Cover your cellphone, inform your loved ones you’re off-limits, and declare your favourite studying spot.
Out and about: Learn at a library, a bookstore café, or if the climate is good, a park bench or quiet out of doors spot.
Weekend getaway: In the event you can swing it, just a few days in a brand new location can actually improve your enjoyment. You don’t have to journey far, however getting out of your home removes the home distractions that pull you away out of your guide.
Whom to carry: It’s as much as you! You would possibly carry one pal, a small group, your loved ones, or have a solo retreat. In the event you do carry somebody alongside, be sure you’re on the identical web page (!) about your plans for studying time, dialog time, breaks, and different actions.
A number of weeks in the past, greater than 1,000 individuals responded to my ballot in regards to the excellent studying retreat, and their solutions had been delightfully revealing.
Practically half fantasized a few beach-house getaway, whereas a 3rd most popular a comfy cabin within the woods. Seven % most popular to remain dwelling so long as all duties had been “magically dealt with.” Probably the most-mentioned necessities had been tea, snacks, and comfortable blankets. As for firm, individuals had been break up between wanting full solitude and bringing alongside one shut pal.
Extra studying for all!
