Soulful Vacations

Soulful vacations are short personal sabbaticals that focus on any aspect of personal development. They are for people who want to make rapid and profound self-improvement. This may come through soul-searching activities, personal growth projects, fitness initiatives, habit changes, spiritual endeavors, or a combination of things.

Note: Because this article encompasses so much of this website’s content, there are naturally many links to more information.

They are typically solo vacations as depicted in the book and movie, “Eat Pray Love,” but couples are also attracted to these unique getaways.  They offer couples the opportunity to develop as a pair and as individuals.

Many travel and retreat services are ready to fulfill your desires, but I prefer to design my soulful vacations. That way, they fit my needs exactly, I am not forced to adapt to someone else’s schedule, and they are a better value.

I’ve been on countless soulful vacations, beginning at a young age.  Some have led to breakthroughs, some have been enriching, some have produced marginal results, and some have had little personal growth. I’ll share what I learned and discovered later so that you can get the most out of your soulful vacation.

When I left home at 15, I imagined having an adventure like my hero Tom Sawyer.  I still recall seeing that experience as an opportunity to do some soul-searching.  Although I didn’t fully understand what it meant then, I believe my heart was in the right place.

My soulful vacations were usually done alone, but I did a few couples’ retreats.  Although my girlfriend and I benefited from these retreats, I felt the format was too shallow, restrictive, and inefficient.

I have no precise explanation about what has led me to go on so many soul-searching vacations.  It’s just an activity that has fascinated me for as long as I can remember.  I think a big part of the appeal is the adventure.  What greater adventure is there than probing, examining, discovering, and mastering your soul?  It can be scary, but it can also be very empowering!

I’ve been on soulful vacations of various durations, intensities, and outcomes to many places, including Lake Tahoe, Convict Lake, Hawaii, Big Sur, Santa Catalina, Palm Springs, Laguna Beach, and hotels near my home.  I usually stayed in a hotel or cabin, but sometimes slept outdoors in a campground.

Location is a key component to having a meaningful, soulful vacation.  You must select a place that inspires you.  Looking at my list, you can see that I’ve been to some pretty nice places.

You might think you can work on your personal development at home in the evenings or on weekends.  You can, but the excitement of being in a beautiful, unfamiliar environment can stimulate fresh thinking and change.  Being away from the place that reminds you of your regular routine, current problems, and bad memories is invaluable.

I consider soulful vacations to be primarily an individual activity.  However, if a couple were passionate about relationship refinement or personal development, I’d strongly urge them to try it.  I present several ideas that can act as a framework in an article entitled “Romantic Getaways for Every Taste, Style, & Situation.”  The two most fitting sub-articles are “Romantic Getaways for Relationship Renewal” and “Romantic Getaways for Fitness Refinement.”

Because I’ve been on so many of these vacations, I’ve learned quite a bit about what works and what doesn’t.  I’ll share this information so you can get the most benefit and enjoyment from your soulful vacation.  First, I’ll give you a list of ideas on things to do.  Then I’ll give you a list of some “Do’s” and “Don’ts.”

Had I had this information when I started going on these vacations, I might almost qualify as a guru apprentice by now.  I’d love to write this in a mountain cabin in… let’s say… Lake Tahoe! 🙂

Ideas for Things to Do

• Write in a journal at the end of each day.  Do it even if you’ve never done this before.  Include your activities, thoughts, feelings, dreams, and whatever comes to mind.  Review the journal near the end of your vacation.  Then enter a summary, conclusion, or just your final thoughts.
• Conduct a soul-searching and/or brainstorming session by writing your thoughts and feelings in your journal, word processor, or paper. There should be no fixed amount of time for completing this task, but setting a 45-90 minute minimum is recommended.  This means you commit to writing whatever comes to your mind for at least 45-90 minutes, regardless of how you feel.
• Create processes for yourself.  1.) Spend an unspecified amount of time going through old pictures, letters, journals, and calendars.  Your goal is to reflect, evaluate, and re-chart your course as needed.  Enter your thoughts, conclusions, and plans into your journal when you’re done.  2.) Spend a morning or afternoon in complete silence, doing nothing but keeping your thoughts in the present.  For more information, refer to “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle.  3.) Get up before dawn, go outside to a predetermined location to watch the sunrise, and connect with nature, the world, the universe (or God), or whatever is meaningful to you.  Sunrises are best because this is the most peaceful time of the day.
• Create memorable growth experiences for yourself.  1.) Do something that scares you.  Go parasailing, bungee jumping, river rafting, rock climbing, or other challenging activities.  2.) Take a class doing something you’re unsure you can do.  For example, that might be yoga, meditation, exercise, vegan, or another class.  3.) Do something that is entirely outside your comfort zone.  For example, smile and cheerfully say hello to everyone you meet for a predetermined period from 1 to 8 hours.  Or introduce yourself to 3-5 strangers and start a conversation within a preset time.
• Identify your goals for the next 1-10 years, develop an action plan for each, and enter them into your calendar.
• Create a vision board of pictures, words, and numbers that quantify your goals and dreams.  Gather these materials before you leave and create the board during your vacation.
• Write a detailed description of your perfect partner and develop a plan for finding them and building a strong relationship.
• Estimate the number of days that you have left in your life.
• Write your obituary, gravestone inscription, and funeral service message.
• Write letters to repair relationships.
• Write letters to renegotiate or end toxic relationships.
• Write closure statements about lost loves, jobs, homes, or other losses in your journal.
• Conduct a comprehensive communication exchange between you and your romantic partner.  Your goal is to renew, enhance, and/or transform your relationship.
• Quit a bad habit like smoking, drinking, using, or overeating.
• Start a good habit like daily meditation, journaling, exercise, and/or healthy eating.
• Give up artificially sweetened drinks and foods.
• Give up junk food.
• Give up television and the news.
• Read or listen to a preset number of goal-related books.
• Watch a preset number of goal-related videos, documentaries, and movies.
• Lose a preset number of pounds.
• Increase the intensity and frequency of your exercise routine.
• Exercise 1-3 times per day.  For example, do aerobic exercise in the morning, resistance or abdominal exercises on alternate days before lunch, and another aerobic exercise or sport in the afternoon.
• Meditate at the beginning and end of each day before meals.
• Watch the sunrise every morning and anticipate your day.
• Watch the sunset every evening and reflect on your day.
• Spend 20-45 minutes daily visualizing the life you desire.
• Practice focusing only on what you want for 1-8 hours. For information, see the recommended book list under “Law of Attraction.”
• Begin a lifestyle of only eating healthy foods.
• Begin the process of becoming a vegan by only eating these foods, reading books or online articles about the lifestyle, and preparing a menu for when you return.
• Do a 1-3 day juice, smoothie, fruit, or water health fast.

Do’s

• Develop a list of goals for your soulful vacation.
• Be your own drill instructor.
• Create a daily hourly schedule for your vacation.
• Keep your attention on what you want to accomplish.
• Summons the feeling as though you’ve already achieved your goals.
• Get up early every day.
• Go to bed early every night. Getting lots of rest will improve the results.
• Drink lots of spring or purified water.
• Eat healthy foods for every meal and snack.
• Take vitamin supplements at breakfast every day.
• Bring healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
• Bring books and other materials that support your goals for your soulful vacation. 
• Bring music that inspires and motivates you the most.
• Tell family and friends to call ONLY in the case of a dire emergency.
• Keep the end result in mind.
• Plan a reward celebration for the end of your soulful vacation.  This activity might take up the entire day or just an evening.  Your reward might include going to a spa, getting a massage, going out to dinner, and taking in a concert, play, or show.  You should be on such a natural high by this point that drinking alcohol will not even be a consideration.

Don’ts

• Don’t drink any alcohol or take any drugs.  This includes “so-called” mind-enhancing drugs.  This activity aims to achieve the highest level of consciousness, clarity, and understanding so that you can make the most progress possible.
• Don’t bring any work-related items with you.
• Don’t encourage people to contact you while you’re gone. Your focus on this vacation is you; you’ll be more valuable to them if you make the most of this experience.
• Don’t bring any off-topic materials, including books and magazines.
• Don’t check your cell phone (or another mobile device), email, or other social media.
• Don’t use the Internet, except to find and read information related to your goals.
• Don’t waste time watching television or off-topic movies.
• Don’t waste time watching, listening to, or reading the news.
• Don’t get off track, give up, or leave early. Commit yourself to this.

Soulful vacations can be the catalyst for major positive changes in your life. Courage, optimism, and tenacity are the criteria for maximum success.

Start the adventure by making plans for your soulful vacation now!