Treehouse Retreat

As regular readers of my blog will know I find it quite hard to switch off and step away from my work! However, I am aware that I do need to take time out to relax and recharge.

In November, I had loads of annual leave to use at the uni and as I didn’t want to just flit days away, I booked myself 4 nights in a log cabin to have some time out from the world. It might not be everyone’s preferred break away but I knew that I needed to do something.

I looked on Air BnB and found this place, it wasn’t too far away from home but far enough for me to switch off. Initially, I booked 2 nights but then realised I probably needed more time away so I booked a further 2 nights!

My plan was to go there and not leave and that’s exactly what I did. I took all the food I would need for my trip, books to read and journals to write in.

When I arrived it was pitch-black and I did wonder what I had done, however, I was greeted by Sally the host and she showed me to the cabin and the utility room (a small kitchenette, toilet & shower) and I settled in.

As the listing described it was a wooden cabin perched on a hillside and the views were spectacular.

Over the next 3 days, I whiled away the days reading, writing, thinking, reflecting and staring at the scenery around me. I put no pressure on myself not to use my phone so did stay connected to friends and the outside world. The 40mph winds were a little unsettling at times as the cabin did shake a little!! Each morning, I would make my way to the kitchenette and make myself a fresh mug of coffee and then sit outside and savour the world around me!

When I decided to do this “retreat” I didn’t know what emotions/feelings would come up for me during my time away but knew that I just needed to stop!

Anyway, in stopping, the resounding feeling I got was that I’m ok. Yes, there are still many things I want in my life, and many things I have yet to achieve, however, overall I realised I’m not doing too bad at this thing called life and have made great strides over the past few years to get myself in a better place mentally, physically, financially & the list goes on… I have a great job and business, I wonderful circle of friends who love and accept me for who I am and overall, my health is good despite a few issues with my knee (but I can deal with it). I have so many things to be thankful for and to remember this when times get tough.

I also realised that I have everything I need within me to achieve my hopes and dreams for my life, now this is a massive shift for me, as for as long as I remember I’ve been crippled with self-doubt, low self-belief and confidence and just not feeling good enough! Acknowledging that these are there and I can overcome them is quite liberating!! I know that this won’t be easy as these are quite deep-rooted beliefs but finally, I feel like I’m making teeny tiny steps forward.

I would recommend this cabin to everyone! Although; I chose not to leave, it is an ideal place to escape the world but also not too isolated from the world either, the town is a 30-minute walk away or a 10-minute drive and having done some research before I went there are some amazing cafes & restaurants in Slaithwaite.

I re-entered the world by meeting a very good friend for lunch as she lived near-by and then the following day I picked up these beauties to help make my house feel like a home again.

I will definitely go back to the cabin next year as it was just so beautiful and relaxing.