How to Retreat: A Guide to Stepping Away from the Everyday to Find Space for Your Self

by Caroline Sylge

Discover the magic of retreating, wherever you are and however much time you have.

What comes into your mind when you hear the word "retreat"? Meditation at a mountain monastery? A trip to far-flung places? The centuries-old practice of retreating is rooted in a person's inner life and belongs to everyone. This book offers you the wisdom and practical steps to retreat wherever you are, whether it’s for a long weekend, a day—or even an hour.

Using the seasons as an optional guide, each chapter delves into a simple theme to focus your exploration, taking you through a range of enticing activities to help you discover a happier version of yourself.

From decluttering your home to tapping into your creativity, from finding your flow to learning how to say no, this accessible and beautiful collection of retreats will enable you to restore, repair, and rejuvenate yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2026

Reviews

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really made me see that I don’t have to feel so guilty about taking time out for myself. Whether it’s being creative with art, reading a book, we’re spending time in nature, I can consider it a retreat and it’s a form of self-care. I love how this book motivated me to retreat whether it’s for an hour, a day, or even longer.

[Vicky McAfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a lovely read.

How to Retreat is gentle, thoughtful, and quietly grounding. It’s clearly structured in a way that helps you reflect, explore, and plan, but never feels overwhelming or prescriptive.

I found myself dipping in and out of it, returning to different sections depending on what I needed. It feels like a book you can come back to over time, rather than something to finish and put down.

There’s a softness to the writing that I really appreciated ; it feels compassionate, spacious, and genuinely supportive. Practical, but in a way that invites rather than instructs.

It also left me feeling inspired creatively. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to sit with your own thoughts a little longer, or even create something of your own.

A really enjoyable, thought-provoking read that I can see myself returning to.

[Ron Frampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book on finding time to find space for yourself .