I’m leaving on Friday for a week-long solo writing retreat. It’s a combination of a birthday present to myself (I turned 60 last Saturday), a consolation prize for not being able to have a party worthy of a 60th birthday (thanks a lot, lingering Covid uncertainty), and a sincere effort to retreat from work work and yard work and around-the-house work, clear my head, and focus on writing.
Except…
I haven’t taken a solo trip like this since before I met Cathrine, 30 years ago. I’ve either traveled with Cathrine, or with family, or for work, or to visit friends or family. In other words, there have always been other people involved in my travels, and I’ve often been solely or largely responsible for their care, feeding, shepherding, sheltering, and entertainment.
But not this time. It’s just me, traveling alone, to a place — Bisbee, an historic mining town in southern Arizona, 3-1/2 hours from my home in Phoenix — where I’ve never been and where I know nobody.
So I’m trying to plan (the universe laughs) a daily agenda that will allow me to get some meaningful work done, while also making the most of being free from care and responsibility for 7 days (making time for relaxation and restoration, in other words), while also also taking advantage of the local cultural, historical, and culinary offerings.
What do you think about this for a daily schedule, assuming a liberal amount of flexibility is permitted?
6 a.m. - Some kind of exercise, shower
7 a.m. - Breakfast1
8:30 a.m. - First writing block2
10:30 a.m. - Short break
11 a.m. - Second writing block
1 p.m. - Lunch
Afternoon - Explore the area OR reading OR sketching3
6 p.m. - Dinner
8 p.m. - Third writing block OR reading OR sketching
10 p.m. - Bed
What would you do that I’ve missed? What would you not do that I’ve included in my overplanning? Let me know in the comments.
Read the next post in the series.
I’m taking supplies so I can make some meals in (at my Airbnb), and I’ll enjoy some meals out.
I’m going to try the Pomodoro technique for my writing blocks: 25 minutes of work, 5-minute break, repeat until 4 work blocks are complete, then take a longer break of 20-30 minutes.
For a winter solstice gift, I got a sketchbook, a set of carbon sketching pencils, and some fine art ink pens, and I want to spend some time with them on this trip.
Happy birthday, Ed, and have a wonderful retreat! I would also keep the morning for writing. Hmm, I don't see any naps in there but after afternoon exploring is a good time for that. I haven't heard of the Pomodoro technique, and I don't think it would work for me. If I'm in the flow, I go with it, and my body lets me know when it's time to take a short break and move around. Your sketching kit sounds great; I encourage you to start on it the very first day and keep going.