Markers and daydreams

In August, I got this idea in my head that I needed a retreat – to carve out time this fall to reflect on the past year, identify what I can build upon, what needs to shift.

For much of my life, I didn't take that kind of time. I pummeled through projects and experiences like a steamroller, straight on to the next one. Life can still feel like that sometimes. But it's become crucial for me to build in thinking time, for both my creative life and my business.

Thanks to the generosity of my amazing friends Mischa and Charles, I had a space I could escape to for a few days. I'm easily distracted, so removing myself from the normal day-to-day for this kind of reflection is necessary.

I recently learned how Maya Angelou rented hotel rooms to write in. She would rent them just to use during the day, to get out of the house and have a space to focus. It's a commitment to the craft and to the self that I find inspiring as all get-out.

"Sledds Agenda: Retreat 2025"

I took up all my books, large Post-its, notepads, markers, pencils, trinkets and other doodads for inspiration. I spread out throughout the whole house, creating little stations for whatever task that room or chair or view inspired. I created an agenda for my retreat that I mostly stuck to. Between tasks or writing or big-thinking time, I used walks, filling the bird feeders, pinecone stacking and mini-dance parties to transition and step away.

The time was extremely productive. Some a-ha's emerged, celebrations, writing, and solid next steps. Each day, nature provided spectacular gifts that made me feel like the universe was telling me, "You got this, girl. You're exactly where you're supposed to be."

I spent a lot of time thinking about what makes my eyes light up, and how to build on that.

Before I went up there, I asked friends and colleagues across social media and in conversation if they had any advice for me. Per usual, my friend and mentor Pam Sandian Smith got my wheels turning big time when she reminded me of Simon Sinek's The Infinite Game. We went on to have a fascinating conversation about whether people can learn to see the magic in the world or if it's innate (doesn't get more Pam and Stace than that).

Civic designer, writer and salonnière Nadja Pass shared with me her genius "non-business plan business plan."

"I think of my business as a butterfly," she said on our call last week. She described the body as the business' core, its vision and values. One wing is all the dreams, the creative ideas, the what-ifs and big thinking. The other wing is the practical side – the consulting and projects that bring in revenue. Sometimes an idea from that dreamy wing crosses to that revenue-generating wing, and sparks fly. Now I believe all business plans should be written in the outline of a butterfly.

"You got this, girl." - Universe The Northern Lights as seen from Como, CO, on 11-11-25.

The ever-fantastic Ricky Abisla reminded me of the Wheel of Life tool, which I revisited again. (Shout out to my therapist Mary Ann – we've circled back to that wheel a few times in the past 18 years, goddess bless her).

Below is the list of crowd-sourced reflection questions. Thank you to everyone who shared their insights. No matter where you are in life or career, I highly recommend scheduling reflection time. Your "retreat" doesn't need to be five days out in the middle of nowhere. It can be two or three hours in a free room rented at your local library. Or an hour with a glass of wine after the kids have gone to bed.

Here are a few questions to ponder as you reflect on the year:

1. What gave you a lot of energy? 

2. What took a lot of energy away from you? 

3. How did you grow? 

4. What weakened you or threw you off course?

5. What can you reuse? 

6. What can you simplify? 

7. How can you develop a promising product? 

8. What are your priorities for the next year?

9. What has worked really well? How can you build on that? 

10. What brought you joy? 

11. What were the challenges? 

12. What surprised you about either of these?

13. What were your best responses to challenges? 

14. What were the elements of a “great day at work”? 

15. When you had a “bad day” – did you do anything that really helped turn things around?

16. Were there any experiences you'd want to avoid in the future? 

17. Were there any you'd replicate, if you could? 

18. What were the moments of most excitement, and most dread?

19. Are there any aspects of this project you want to develop more skills in?

20. Are there any parts you'd like to ask for help with (or get someone else to do)?

Next week is the one-year anniversary since I put out the initial call for clients and collaborators. Holy moly, have I learned a lot. One of those lessons has been how important it is to carve out this time. It's a gift I give to myself, one that no one else can give me.

If you're interested in your own Year in Review but could use help, please reach out. I'm offering 90-minute coaching sessions where we can walk through a tailored selection of questions and exercises together.

Did this resonate with you? Are there questions you would add to the list? Share in the comments!