Why spring is the perfect time for a coaching retreat in Cornwall

Spring is one of the best times of year to take a personal development retreat in Cornwall. With longer days, rising energy levels, and a natural sense of renewal, it’s the ideal moment to step back, reflect, and plan your year ahead in these troubling times.

Life is inherently uncertain. But it seems especially so right now.

Rapid advances in AGI —the prospect of what may follow—and events in the Gulf, are making many people wonder what the future holds, for their work, the economy, and domestically. And that’s on top of the day-to-day challenges of simply being a finite human being. It’s all quite unsettling.

A common approach to this is to try to keep up by anticipating, planning, and pushing harder.

But we can no more control external events than the flickering flames of a beachside fire. All we can control is our response. And sometimes the best response is to accept our relative powerlessness and step away for a while to reflect and reset. To remind ourselves about what really matters and work out what we can do that gives us the best chance of delivering the outcomes we want. To summon the courage to act on our own serenity prayer.   

At times like these it’s worth dwelling on things you can be sure of. For instance, you can be sure of your ability, with practice, to tune out the noise and into your quiet inner stillness that gives you strength and resilience in a world of constant change. And you can be sure that whatever happens the sun will still rise, and that life will always provide you with all those simple pleasures that make it worth living: a friendly chat with a neighbour, giving to a good cause, or a quiet walk in nature.

But only if you’re open and receptive that is.  One characteristic of the stress of being uncertain or fearful is that all the cortisol (the stress hormone) in our nervous system tends to close us up, or focus us too narrowly. It’s why people go on retreats. To get the benefit that comes from being in a new, calm, supportive environment. To take a breather, reconnect to what matters, listen to their body. To open again to what life is about and give themselves the care and attention many people deny themselves in favour of giving too much to others.

This is typical of the people who come on my personal coaching retreats.  They arrive feeling stretched, uncertain, and weary, and they leave feeling restored, motivated, confident about their way forward and just more at ease with life because they’ve reformulated a more resourceful approach to it (see my testimonials as evidence).

Why spring Is the perfect time to reset

There’s a reason this time of year invites change. Having passed the spring equinox, nature is well and truly drawing on all the energy the longer and warmer days offer.  Momentum returns. There’s a natural sense of renewal.  It’s as if the year has truly begun (in fact, the new year did used to begin in spring - on the spring equinox - to align the year with the seasons. It’s only after the introduction of the Julian calendar in 1752 that it reverted to what we know today). 

Here in Cornwall, spring has definitely sprung. Cliff-tops, gardens, and woodlands are awash with colour, harbours full of boats that were rested up during the winter, and the beaches are still gloriously empty. It’s a wonderful time to be here.

Make this spring count

If you’ve been meaning to step away from noise and worry, to think more clearly about the direction you want to head in, and reset, this is a fine time to do it. Not only is it relatively quiet here, and very evocative, there are plenty of things to visit either side of - or even during - a retreat, from stone circles, to May festivals (such as Helston Flora Day on 8 May), to food festivals, to name but a few. Spring also tends to be Cornwall’s sunniest season.

Yet spring is passing quickly; before you know it, it'll be over.  So don’t delay. A few days retreating in Cornwall could be just what you need to rekindle your zest, and set yourself up for the next twelve months, and the many more to follow. Also, don’t let the high petrol prices put you off, if driving. You’ll love it when you’re here. And however you decide to get here you can always leave all the driving to me (as many of my guests do). 

So come visit. In a time of uncertainty, a warm Cornish welcome and life affirming stay is one thing you can absolutely be sure of.

A problem shared is a problem solved: arrange a free chat to explore how I could help and whether a personal coaching retreat is right for you.