Study Nook @ 21 Alpine St , Warburton 7.06 PM
I’m in Warburton for a short solo retreat , a much-needed pause. Lately, my body had been quietly (and then not so quietly) asking for a break. A couple of days with no chores, no responsibilities, no catering to anyone else’s energy or feeling bad for not pulling up. Just space to breathe. Space to be.
It’s easy to overlook how much we constantly adjust ourselves to others. I do it a lot, and it drains me. I love living with someone, far more than living alone. But every now and then, I need solitude. A space where I’m not reacting or responding to anything but my own needs. Man I realised , last time I was alone was before July 2021 - that's when I got Sandy. My lil fur baby. 4 years! That's long time.... I used to go on solo trips but not so much after Sandy. Ah, I did go to Bali in 2022 but I was around lot of people in hostels. But okay, let's count that in. 3 years is still a lot!
Everyone deserves to disconnect once in a while. Not because something is wrong, but because it’s right to check in with yourself. Who are you when no one is watching?
What choices do you make, how do you spend your time when you’re not obligated to anyone or anything?
This isn’t about escaping life. It’s about reconnecting with myself. Honouring my own energy. Solitude doesn’t have to come from sadness or burnout. Even in joy, the body may ask for a pause. Maybe it’s an ADHD thing — I know my brain thrives on novelty. And retreats like this bring that spark back into the everyday.
By giving myself this time, I’ve sent my body a powerful message: I hear you. I trust you. That trust — in yourself — is essential. It lays the foundation for real growth, love, and acceptance. And sometimes, showing up for yourself means turning down commitments, not out of avoidance but self-respect.
Sometimes, it looks like packing a bag and heading to the mountains for a few quiet days.
And through all this, I can’t help but feel grateful. My partner is amazing. When I express what I need, he listens. Truly listens. That kind of support makes moments like this even more meaningful. I’m thinking about my little Sandy too. I can’t wait to see her wiggly tail n beautiful most gorgeous tiny face when I return.
This post might not showcase any photography, but it offers something else, a glimpse into the person behind the lens. And maybe, that’s just as important. It was a very instinctual spontaneous Idea to write a blog - so here it is, TO BEING FULLY US !
