The Importance of Rooting and Retreating in a Busy World

Have you ever looked up and realized that weeks—or even months—have passed in a blur, and wondered, “Where did the time go?”

In our hyper-connected world, we’re constantly syncing with other people’s rhythms. Our days are paced by work demands, family responsibilities, social media notifications, and societal expectations. The pressure to “keep up” has become ingrained in our culture, normalising and glorifying busyness. 

The desire to belong—to be included, validated, and seen—is deeply human. But when the norm around us is busyness, we unconsciously adopt this culture as our own. The need to please, to perfect, to perform often overrides the more subtle calls of our inner world: the need to rest, reflect, and realign.

We begin to disconnect and drift from ourselves.

We forget how to listen to the body’s subtle signals—tiredness, tension, aches, shallow breath. Over time, this disconnection becomes more than just a feeling; it becomes a way of life. 

But what if we could change that?

In Altered Traits, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson show how consistent mindfulness and retreat practices can fundamentally reshape our brains—cultivating more calm, presence, and resilience. The traits we often see as fixed—like stress reactivity or emotional reactivity—can be altered through intention and practice.

Why retreat? 

The word retreat once intimidated me.

For years, a retreat felt out of reach—financially, energetically, practically. 

And yet, something in me longed for it.Not for luxury or escape.But for space.

Space to breathe.To observe.To simply be.

In a world that celebrates busyness, slowing down can feel radical—even rebellious. But research shows it’s not just necessary; it’s transformational.

Dr. Megan Reitz, a leadership expert and mindfulness researcher, emphasizes the importance of cultivating inner stillness in a noisy world. “In order to speak truth to power,” she says, “we must first be able to hear ourselves think.”

Retreating offers the opportunity to listen and observe. To feel again. To remember who we are at the root, beneath the roles, titles, and expectations.

To tune out of any external expectations, and tune in to our inner rhythm. Our heartbeat, the gentle rise and fall of the belly as we breathe, the subtle signs of the body. 

This connection to the natural rhythm of our inner world, is the transformational power of retreating. 

Accessible ‘retreating’ 

‘Retreating’ doesn’t have to mean traveling far. It can be as simple as stepping outside into the fresh air, sitting silently with your breath, or creating space in your day for reflection.

The key is to be ‘intentional.’ 

 When we retreat, we disrupt habitual patterns long enough to ask:

“Am I paying attention to the life I am living, do I feel fulfilled?” “If not, what wants to shift?”

Your retreat doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be yours.

As Mary Oliver says so poignantly: “Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” (From ~ Sometimes)