For three mornings, instead of regular classes, a small group of students participated in a Mindfulness Retreat led by Hyde Alumna Sarah Carlin '80 and Julia Gooding. This retreat gave us a chance to step away from our routines and focus on reflecting and connecting with ourselves and each other. It also helped release all the stress that had been building up since the beginning of the school year.

Throughout the retreat, we learned and practiced mindful meditation and mindful eating, and we shared ways to bring more mindfulness into our daily lives. These practices encouraged us to focus on the present moment, become more aware of our thoughts and emotions, and respond to them calmly rather than reacting out of stress or frustration. 

One of the unexpected activities we did was blowing bubbles, which reminded many of us of childhood and brought a sense of joy and calm. It was simple, but surprisingly, it helped shift our attention away from everything else and focus only on the moment. We also created a Tree of Our Habits of Mind, where we drew habits we wanted to strengthen as growing branches or leaves, and ones we tried to weaken as falling or fallen leaves. This visual activity helped us recognize our strengths, challenges, and aspects we want to grow or let go of.

We spent time journaling after many activities, reflecting on what we had experienced and how it made us feel. In our journals, we also wrote motivational reflections to encourage a more positive mindset. For example, one student shared, “It’s easier to be kind to myself when I’m doing something I love.” After journaling, we sat in small groups and shared what we had written. These discussions helped us connect more deeply with the group and ourselves. It made us realize that we experience similar emotions and challenges. 

The time we spent in nature during the retreat left an impression on us. We sat quietly, far from each other, just watching the leaves move, listening to the sounds around us, and appreciating how peaceful everything felt. These moments helped us reconnect with the world and value the small, quiet details that often go unnoticed in our daily lives.

At the end of the retreat, we had one last activity that was both unusual and beautiful. One by one, each of us lay down in the middle of a circle while the others shared positive things about that person. It was all recorded, so we can watch it later whenever we need a reminder of our worth. Even though it felt strange at first, hearing how others saw us helped strengthen our self-awareness and reminded us of the support in our community. 

By the end of the three mornings, we all felt calmer, more grounded, and more connected to both ourselves and each other. We became more self-aware, but also learned how to manage stress and approach ourselves with more understanding. The retreat reminded us that mindfulness isn’t just about meditation, but about being present, appreciating small things, and finding peace even in busy moments.