Diary of a writing retreat

A play-by-play of two nights away

✨ ANNOUNCEMENT: The Healing Through Writing Festival starts on 3/26! You can still sign up to watch my session on gentle ways to excavate your story and download my gift of two yoga nidra meditations. If you can’t attend live next week, consider an All-Access Pass to move through the workshops at your own pace.

At the end of February I went to the beach in the middle of the week to write, read, and rest. In short: it was glorious. I always enjoy following those day-in-the-life posts on Instagram but rarely participate, so here’s a peek at the one full day I had to myself.

And as lovely as it was to be away, resistance, decision fatigue, and a general sense of “making the most of it” was alive and well—especially because the trip was brief. Sure, an entire week would be nice. But a quicker overnight can also be life-giving and momentum-building too. It’s always worth it.

Finally: I’m planning a more in-depth podcast episode this spring (hooray!) with my big writing retreat takeaways, so if you have any specific questions/obstacles/thoughts to share before I record it, please leave a comment below!

7 am: I wake up a lot earlier than this, but stay in bed because there’s nothing to get up for. Will today be a bust? I linger here for a few minutes before pivoting to a more compassionate stance: It doesn’t matter what I do today.

7:15 am: Make protein smoothie and chat with my friend about how we managed to stay awake until 9:30 pm by watching The Bachelor (her) and scrolling Instagram (me). We also discuss the pleasure of having so little to do, and the necessity of making space like this.

8 am: Second breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs + an almond flour tortilla with hot sauce

9 am: Beach walk. I practice feeling joy in my body and cry a little.

9:30 - 10:30 am: Reading/annotating, and conversations about how far to take it. As in, does studying another book keep us from the work of actually writing? When is it helpful, and when is it harmful?

Where I land: I really like annotating a book or two in the early stage of a project, especially when I notice something I’m trying to do. It’s inspiring! But then I set everything aside and write. Where this work is the most helpful—to me—is after a first draft when I can go back and look at my takeaways from the other books, as well as a list of questions I compiled to pose to my own characters and manuscript.

10:30 am: After this conversation, I decide to try writing. And I do! At first I just tinker with a section I’ve already written, but then I write something new. A couple of paragraphs that didn’t exist before feels like a win.

11 am: I meditate in bed and feel revived. When it ends, I consciously keep resting for a few minutes longer, honoring the fact that I can.

11:30 am: Lunch: Sardines, a mashed avocado, a bit of mayo, and sea salt with crackers. Plus an apple muffin I made the other day and handful of chocolate-covered almonds. I sit outside on the patio in the warm breeze.

12:15 pm: I crawl in bed momentarily and end up looking at Instagram for 10 minutes. But we’re letting everything be! All is welcome!

12:30 pm: Ready for another beach walk or to maybe read on the beach, but decide to add a few scenes to Scrivener that are fresh in my mind so I have a place to start when I get back. Momentum is building.

1:30 pm: Pack my towel, water bottle, book, notebook, pen, and phone. Grab a chair and head to the water. I sit and read in the wind and sun for almost an hour.

2:30 pm: Have a snack, stretch, and look at my phone some more.

3:30 pm: I sit on the patio and type 1,500 words while overlooking the live oaks. Every so often I stop typing and smile, delighted with the progress. A book is daunting. There are so many words. So many unanswered questions. But letting my imagination lead the way is gratifying. I can do this!

4:15 pm: Time to turn on my hair straightener and tame the mess of curls that amassed from being outside today.

5:30 pm: Dinner is at a waterfront restaurant to swap stories and thoughts from our day, and to devour plates of fresh fish and fried Brussels sprouts.

7:30 pm: Finished the rest of my chia pudding while watching another episode of Dance Life.

8:30 pm: Hot shower, stretching, and a little packing.

9:30 pm: Lights out.

Until next time,
Nicole

P.S. Grab your free ticket to the Healing Through Writing Festival! If you can’t attend live, consider an All Access Pass so you can watch at your own pace.

📚 Reading

—Yes, pandemic grief is still here.

—Speaking of grief, I’m currently in the middle of reading Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief by Claire Bidwell Smith.

—“I don’t want to be on social media anymore.”

🎧 Listening

—Philosopher Nate Klemp explains how to move from stressed and anxious to expansive and creative.

—On the symmetry and balance of the spring equinox.

—How to get a job with Ina Garten (and Erin French).

🍳 Eating & Enjoying

—Always in the mood for shrimp tacos.

—Currently obsessed with chia seed pudding (mentioned above). The secret? Rich, full-fat coconut milk. I like a ratio of 2 tbsp. chia seeds to 3/4 cup coconut milk for an extra creamy bite, plus 1 tbsp. maple syrup and 1/2 tsp. vanilla.

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Psst: The podcast returns in April! Be sure you’re subscribed, and catch up on anything you missed last season.