A Five Day Phone Free Writing Retreat

Woo-woo? Or wondrous?

I have just got back from a five day, phone-free Writing Retreat in Wales. Before setting off my housemate advised me to “let go of your expectations” (he used to live in LA) and so I hoped to come home with a few hundred words on a page. I did not expect to return with replenished motivation for activism, a full heart, and new friendships.

Photos by Emli Bendixen

Our holder of space was the wondrous Holly Rigby, a writer, teacher and activist with the most joyful laugh I have ever heard. The five night retreat was held in an 18th century rectory on the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline. I genuinely haven’t seen the stars so clearly in decades. Part of the magic of this retreat is that there is a maximum of twelve participants - far fewer than most retreats you will come across. There are daily group feedback sessions (far less scary than it sounds) and a one-to-one with Miss Holly herself.

For my readers whose days also revolve around food, we were nourished by a chef called Hayley who made delicious vegetarian meals and cakes. Think freshly baked granola, cinnamon porridge and stewed fruit for breakfast, Spanakopita with roasted vegetables for lunch, cashew frosted carrot cake for afternoon tea, and butternut squash curry with crispy tofu for dinner. Dribbling on my keyboard RN.

In your daily morning writing sessions, you have the option to spend your time working on any personal projects you might have, or you can do a creative writing exercise set by Holly. Writing in amicable silence with my fellow retreaters was an absolute highlight for me, right up there with the refreshing sea swims and blustery winter walks.

Ahead of our arrival, we were provided with an emergency telephone number to share with loved ones in case of an emergency. I also brought a pre-downloaded research document meaning I could use my laptop to write with WiFi disabled.

I relished being in community with such a compassionate, intelligent and wise group of people, most of whom were involved in organising and activism in some way (clearly this is the energy Holly attracts). We spent a lot of time grieving the past sixteen months’ of genocide in Palestine. Rest, reflection and being in community for both joy and grief is absolutely essential for impactful, sustainable organising. Please prioritise it.

My Retreat Routine (I love a routine)…

0645 wake up
0715 solo walk to the beach
0745 group meditation
0830 breakfast
0930 independent writing time
1200 silence breaks, retreat circle
1300 lunch
1400 walk to the beach fora swim in the sea
1600 cake time!
1700 group feedback session
1830 dinner
2000 evening gathering
2100 retreat falls into silence
2130 read in bed
2200 drift off to sleep

The perfect blend of creativity, meditation, guidance and encouragement, and more belly laughs than I usually muster in an entire month. In our new Whatsapp group chat, one of my fellow retreaters said that being back from retreat “feels like being prized from the womb” which is a perfect summation of how I’m feeling - full, but forlorn!

You can learn about the retreats here. Holly reserves two fully funded spaces for a frontline public sector worker and an activist currently organising in grassroots movements. In light of my housemate’s advice, please do “let go of your expectations”, but also know that this is a HARD 10/10 recommend with absolutely no notes.

I’ll be back here on Slowly Does It next week with an essay about ethical consumption vs collective action. For now, it’s time for my weekend #Offline48 practice. Do join me with some time away from your phone if it appeals and is accessible to you.

With love and rage,
Venetia ♥️