Sounds Close to You
When most people hear the word retreat, they think of big getaways, ocean views, or perfectly curated spaces. But we’ve learned that the most transformative retreats don’t require travel—or perfection. They can happen right where you are, surrounded by the people you want to spend time with the most.
For us, it’s a girls’ trip—a weekend away or even just a day if that’s all you can spare—that isn’t always centered around packed itineraries or reservations (although, let’s be real—there’s a very fun time and place for those, too). In December, though, the last thing we need to do is more planning. Instead, our aim is to slow down, reconnect, and create the kind of energy that stays with you long after it’s over. These days, our favorite way to do that has been through sound baths.
If you’ve ever experienced one, you know—it’s hard to describe but impossible to forget. The tones vibrate through the air and into your body, quieting the noise you didn’t even realize you were holding onto. But the real magic happens when you experience it with the people closest to you. Lying side by side, letting go together, it becomes a shared exhale—one that feels both grounding and healing.
We hosted ours at a friend’s house while her family was away for the weekend—just us, our favorite STAKT mats (the extra-cushy kind that make everything feel a little more luxurious), a few blankets, and soft lighting. Candles are a must, of course. We also burned palo santo (or sage works too) to clear the space and add that subtle, earthy scent that instantly shifts the mood.
Morning — Arrive and Ease In
We started with yoga in the living room. Some of us had coffee, some a light breakfast, but all of us were in our comfiest, coziest sets—no pressure, no performance, just a slow stretch to shake off the week.
Late morning/early afternoon — Long Lunch
We took our time cooking together, each of us making a dish. It may have been a little over the top, but we’re all grazers and love a good leftover spread. The kitchen chatter and clinking plates were part of the therapy.
Afternoon/ late afternoon — The Sound Bath
Our guide arrived and set up bowls, chimes, and instruments across the room. By that point, we were more than ready to surrender. The tones filled the space and seemed to move through each of us, washing away tension we didn’t realize we’d been carrying.
Afterwards, there’s always that moment where words fall short—where you can’t quite describe what just happened. But it only takes one person opening up about what surfaced for the rest to follow.
Evening — Dinner & Connection
The night flowed from there: stories, laughter, and another round of shared bites around the table. Suddenly, you realize you feel lighter, grateful, understood, and, most of all, deeply connected.
Weeks later, we could still feel it. In the middle of a stressful day, we’d think back to that room—the warmth, the laughter, the resonance of the bowls—and instantly feel our breath slow.
That’s the power of retreating with the people you love most. It doesn’t end when the day does. It lingers—in your energy, your mindset, and your memories—reminding you to pause, release, and return to yourself, together.