peaceandjoy

A friend and I have gone to a local (within an hour's drive) retreat annually for years. It's a large group - at least 55 people, sometimes up to 70. With that many people, you get a little of everything! Certainly there are things that annoy me, but for the most part I tune that out and focus on what I am doing and enjoy myself. Evenings can get a little raucous, but that's okay, too. If it gets to the point where I can't focus, I either join them with a glass of wine or other fun drink, or head up to my room. I'm neither a good sleeper nor one to sleep in, so am most always one of the first ones back in working in the AM. It's generally pretty quiet then.

This past weekend, we travelled 4 hours to go to a retreat in Lake George. Fabulous, and I wish it was closer! There are several per year there, all between October and April. Our group had 15-ish in it, so it was much smaller than what I'd previously experienced, and was therefore much quieter and less intense. The coordinator owns a local quilting shop and did a fantastic job organizing everything. I came home exhausted and happy. We've already signed up for next year.

I try not to judge too harshly, but am not always successful. When I learned "the backstory" of somebody who'd been under my skin a bit, I looked at them differently. It helped remind me that I'm not always so perfect either, lol.

For those who are easily distracted or annoyed, maybe a retreat isn't a great idea. But if you want long stretches of sewing, without feeling that you should be preparing a meal, doing laundry, or any of the other myriad of duties that await you at home, it can be a wonderful experience. Making new friends, seeing inspiring work, getting tips from others - I don't know what I could enjoy more.