My Easter Mental Health Retreat

When my contract at work ended in February, I had to decide what to do with my unemployment. I was job hunting like crazy but I didn’t just want to sit around the house all day, every day, doing that. It was my mother-in-law who had the idea that I should go visit my parents. So it was decided, if I was still unemployed in March I would go to Salmon Arm for a week. 

However, my unemployment didn’t last very long. I got hired back at my old job for a short two-week contract that ended up being three and a half weeks. That has turned into another contract that will be for a couple of months. I had it in my head that I was going to my parents, so I decided to go in between contracts, which happened to be Easter.

I was looking at this trip as a mental health retreat. I was going to take the trip to take care of myself. I am so busy when I’m at home, that I just wanted to take a week to just relax and do stuff I don’t necessarily have time to do at home. 

We started by not telling anyone I was coming. I’m sure I’ll make other trips where I see a lot of people, but this was not that trip. I wanted to keep this one really low key. 

I would wake up every morning and do a little morning meditation, then some yoga. Make breakfast and coffee, do some journaling, work in a writing notebook, make more coffee. Then I would write until break time. Then I’d go for a walk with Carol. After break I’d write some more until lunch. Eat lunch, write some more, go for another walk with Carol. Then I’d read for a bit, alternating between fiction and self help. Then it would be time for a walk with my Dad. We’d hang out until dinner, which was always incredible food that I loved. Then we’d spend the evening either playing a game or watching something on tv. I’d do a full nighttime routine and journal and do some skincare. 

The weekend was a little different. I didn’t write as much but I still did the rest. We went for longer walks. I knit a lot. It was great. I also visited my Grandma. 

I also tried to eat well, drink enough water, generally take care of myself. 

Since I got home I’ve tried to implement some of those changes in my day to day. I’m still writing, still reading, and doing a lot of the self care. I’ve been successfully eating more protein and drinking enough water. 

It was so nice to get away and have a little mental health break, but it’s also nice to be back and making some changes.