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massaged by a...nun?!

8/12/2021

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If you'd told me a year ago I was going to spend two nights away from my family, stay on old farmland, and get a massage from a nun, I would have been pretty confused.

But that's exactly what happened. 😜

Some of you read about my first-ever personal retreat, taken at my aunt and uncle's house in June. (Read about it here if not.)

I was maxed out on family-togetherness and desperate to be alone.

To walk my talk, coach with integrity, and care for myself I knew I had to do something.

Even on that first day at my aunt and uncle's, I could tell it was something I wanted to do again and make a regular part of life.

Against the odds, I'd become a 'personal retreat person'.
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Click for an Instagram video I made of my cute room
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The planner I've used and loved for years (affiliate link) looks at life in quarters - three months at a time.

I thought - why not try to have a personal retreat quarterly, if at all possible?

When Greg and I decided to spend a month of summer with his folks in Iowa, I saw my next chance to plan a retreat.

With grandparent help and plenty of time, it seemed like a good opportunity.

After Googling hotels and AirBnBs, I landed on a retreat center about 40 mins outside Iowa City where my in-laws live.

Here are some photos, if you'd like to see.

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Built on old farmland being restored to prairie, Prairiewoods is an interfaith center founded by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (don't you love that name?).

It has a focus on environmental justice and connecting visitors to the story of the universe and their place in it.

My meals were lovingly made by a chef. All stick-to-your-ribs, tasty fare that I could heat up when I was ready to eat.
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​I met with a spiritual director and walked the grounds a lot.


I went to a friendly yoga class with three students - me, the instructor's daughter, and a retiree. (Thanks, Heather, for the great class!)

I had no car and no Korean fried chicken to hunt down this time.

I noticed how much I was still glued to my phone - both to connect with friends and family and also to zone out and waste time.

I guess the saying, "Wherever you go, there you are" is true. Even being in a blissed-out place couldn't keep me from my own compulsions to stay busy and distracted.
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One highlight...

When I registered, the welcome letter mentioned, "We offer services to enhance your stay: spiritual direction, massage, healing touch or reflexology".

I wrote back, "Does anyone give a good deep tissue massage?"

The registrar wrote back, "Yes, Sister Nancy Hoffmann is EXCELLENT! You will LOVE her!"

😮😮😮😮

Was I getting a massage from a nun?!
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​Yes. Yes, I was.


Click to see what it was like! (Spoiler alert: delightful.)

Then, before I knew it, my family had arrived to pick me up.
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One of the lovely things about sharing this adventure has been hearing from you all.

"This has me totally inspired to plan a trip alone. It’s been…omg so long. Like I think 2 1/2 years? I’m actually thinking about just a trip to a local air bnb…"

"Ah, I need a retreat!"

"I took a week off work and wound up doing mom stuff, turbo speed. My hope is to get a vacation for myself soon."

"I did it!! I’m heading out this afternoon for a few days of just me time!! Thanks for the push!!"


I'm excited to support more of you in creating space for yourself - whether that's on a retreat or figuring out self care that works in your Goldfish-crumbs-on-the-couch life.

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​P.S. Are you a working mom or stay at home parent inspired to take a solo trip of your own? See my 4 tips for taking a personal retreat right here. 
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