Attend a Reading Retreat and Focus on Self-Care this Christmas

A Reading Retreat is the Perfect Way for Introverts (and Extroverts!) to Replenish their Reserves

“Tis the season to be jolly”… unless you’re an introvert. In that case, it’s more like, “Tis the season to find somewhere to hide until the 2nd of January.” While everyone else is donning ugly sweaters and belting out holiday tunes, introverts are quietly plotting their great escape. Preferably to somewhere peaceful and quiet, with comfortable armchairs, warm woollen blankets, a fire burning in the fireplace, mugs of hot chocolate at their elbows and a towering stack of their favourite books. I usually start thinking about this in September! If you are also one of the quiet ones who dread this over-emotional social marathon, fear not. Reading is the perfect way to escape from the festive madness. And I’ve got just the retreat for you at a little farm in the southwest of France!

The Christmas holiday season, while joyful for many, can be a source of stress for those who prefer silence and solitude—particularly introverts. The endless round of loud gatherings can feel draining rather than energising. For introverts, who thrive in calm environments the pressure of the Christmas holiday can lead to festive season burnout.

Maybe you are not an introvert, but an extrovert, or an ambivert. Still, you want to give the Christmas holiday a miss this year to avoid the:

Festive Cheer Overload and Overwhelm

There’s only so much Mariah Carey and tinsel a person can take before considering faking their own holiday disappearance. If you’ve hit your “Jingle Bells” limit by mid-December, it’s time for a well-timed retreat from the festive assault.

Gift-Giving Conundrums

You’ve Googled “perfect gift for someone who has everything” 27 times and still have no clue what to buy your cousin twice removed. Save yourself the hassle, skip the mall madness, and give yourself the gift of peace this Christmas.

Food and Drink-induced Comas

Christmas dinners are all fun and games until you’ve eaten your body weight in stuffing and start having nightmares of turning into a turkey. Escaping means you avoid the annual holiday food coma and, let’s be honest, questionable indigestion-giving eggnog.

Awkward Family Traditions

Those cringe-worthy games of charades that somehow always end in an argument about who won last year, can leave you wondering why you ever agreed to join in. A retreat gives you an elegant exit strategy.

Financial Disasters

Between overpriced wrapping paper, gifts you forgot to buy, and themed decorations that seem to change every year, Christmas can take a toll on your wallet. Ditch the financial stress and enjoy a reading retreat that won’t max out your credit card.

Christmas Cooking

The idea of a relaxing Christmas sounds great—until you realize you’re cooking (unexpectedly) for 18, one vegetarian guest, one gluten-free guest, your son’s girlfriend who is vegan, Aunt Ethel who is diabetic, Susan who does intermittent fasting. Pretend you don’t mind people deciding on the day to throw all caution to the wind after you spent a lot of time and money cooking them separate special diet-appropriate meals.

This Year, Celebrate Christmas the Way YOU Want

Sometimes, the best reason to escape the usual Christmas celebrations is simply because you want to! Whether it’s reading your favourite books in peace and quiet, without interruptions, taking long naps or just doing absolutely nothing, you owe it to yourself to avoid Christmas burnout.

The Christmas holidays don’t have to be this way. What if, instead of feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of Christmas, you could retreat deep into the comfort of a good book? Reading offers the perfect escape from the holiday hustle and bustle, allowing you, especially if you are an introvert, to recharge your batteries and spend the season in a way that truly aligns with your nature. I have designed a 5-day Christmas Book Lover’s Binge reading retreat, especially for introverts (or anyone tired of the holiday drama.) During this retreat, you can immerse yourself in a stack of good books, and walk sections of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela without worrying where the next meal is coming from.

Reading during the holidays is a game changer for introverts who want to:

1. Escape from Holiday Overstimulation

The festive season is synonymous with loud parties, crowded shopping centres, and the endless bustle and bustle of family gatherings. While these traditions bring joy to many, for introverts, they often mean sensory overload. Introverts naturally seek low-stimulation environments to recharge, and reading provides the perfect excuse to step away from the whirlwind of holiday obligations.

Imagine retreating with a pile of books and simply disappearing into another world…This is the beauty of a book-lover’s retreat—you can fully immerse yourself in reading to your heart’s content, free from social expectations or interruptions. It’s the ultimate form of self-care during a season that can be emotionally and mentally taxing for both introverts and extroverts.

2. Spend Time on their Own Without Feeling Guilty

The holidays often come with the pressure to be social, participate in gatherings, and spread holiday cheer. For introverts, the pressure to engage can feel overwhelming, especially when all they crave is some quiet time alone. Reading, however, provides you with a socially acceptable reason to opt out of the madness without the guilt. At my 5-day Christmas reading retreat, you can enjoy the holiday season on your own terms—soaking in the joy of the season without the endless and ever-increasing noise. It’s the perfect way to escape to a peaceful environment dedicated entirely to the joy of reading.

3. Replenish their Emotional Reserves in a Stress-Free Setting

Introverts often find themselves emotionally drained after too many social interactions, and the holiday season can push them to their limits. Reading, however, serves as a way to replenish emotional reserves. When you dive into a book, whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, you engage deeply in a calm and focused way that restores rather than depletes your energy.

The 5-day Christmas Book Lover’s Binge Retreat

Annually 22-26 December

During the 5-day Christmas Book Lover’s Binge retreat, participants will be free to do just that. There’s no pressure to interact or be “available” to others. Here you can rest, reflect, and enjoy your favourite books without any of the traditional holiday stressors.

The Christmas Book Lover’s Binge Reading retreat is designed for anyone who shuns the drama of the average Christmas holiday, offering a peaceful sanctuary where reading is the main activity. With ample time to savour your favourite books, whether it is unwinding with a holiday murder mystery or learning something new through thought-provoking non-fiction, a reading retreat provides a way to enjoy the holiday season that enables you to recharge your batteries without any of the usual social pressure. The beauty of reading, especially fiction, is that it allows introverts to experience deep emotional connections with characters and stories without needing to expend energy in real-life interactions.

If you’re an introvert looking for a less stressful Christmas holiday experience, consider joining the Christmas Book Lover’s Binge reading retreat. It’s a chance to celebrate the season by doing what you love most—reading—while leaving the holiday drama behind. Whether you want to escape into the pages of a novel or simply relax with a stack of non-fiction, this retreat offers a welcoming, quiet space where you can recharge your batteries during one of the busiest times of the year.

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How to Sign Up for a Christmas Reading Retreat

Click Here for a full description of this retreat.

For more details, information about availability and to reserve your spot on this peaceful Christmas retreat, send me an email at margarethamontagu@gmail.com. Spaces are limited to ensure a tranquil and personalised experience, so book early!