PINK GRL PWR Retreat Unplugged in Sedona, Arizona

When I heard about the opportunity to lock my phone up for a weekend, I was nervous but excited. As one of the best college experiences came to an end, I was given one last chance to head on a trip as a #PINKSponsoredRep. This was no ordinary trip with PINK – this was their first ever GRL PWR Retreat Unplugged! Committing to disconnecting for an entire weekend left me feeling relaxed, empowered and inspired. I’m daring you to try it!

I was so excited when I heard the news that I was going to be traveling to Sedona, Arizona with other Campus Reps and GRL PWR Project winners.

This retreat was focused on detoxing from social media and working on your personal well-being and mindfulness.

We were advised to leave our cameras, laptops and other electronics at home. What?! My travel essentials always include my iPad and camera! However, this time I traded my electronics for a book and a disposable camera (that I ended up not even grabbing). 

As soon as we checked in to our resort, we were introduced to Yondr. Yonder uses a patented system to create phone-free spaces. We put our phones in the case and locked our phones inside. We still had our phone on hand but weren’t able to access it until the weekend was over. Yes, I still grabbed my pocket or panicked when I didn’t have my phone in hand for the first few hours but over time, I began to forget about it. 

After dinner, we were introduced to Poppy James of Happy Not Perfect. She was a breath of fresh air!! She shared shocking insight on mental health that left us inspired to work on feeling good from the inside out. We were introduced to “belly breathing” and were gifted her Happy Not Perfect Journal and app subscription.

One thing I learned was that even just 20 minutes of alone time to reconnect with your thoughts and feelings can make you feel instantly better physically and emotionally.

I highly recommend checking out the app, Happy Not Perfect! It’s an easy and refreshing way to have a happier mind every day.

After her talk, we spent time stargazing in the courtyard with smores. I sat with a group of girls that I met on other PINK trips and spent hours talking!

Isn’t a good hang out sesh with your girls just SO invigorating?!

I was actually happy I didn’t have my phone so I could spend quality time with girls I don’t see often!

The next day we started off with yoga and meditation overlooking the Sedona mountains. WOW. I just started getting into yoga recently and it has helped with stress so much! Being able to do yoga in this gorgeous location was so exhilarating. I wish I could wake up to that view every day!

Later that day we went on a PINK Jeep Tour…so on brand, right?! This activity was SO much fun. The PINK Jeep Tours is a must-do if you ever visit Sedona! Picture this – 13 Jeeps with VS PINK logos charging down the streets of Sedona filled with screaming girls. YUP, we were having the time of our lives! Photographers and videographers were there the whole weekend to help capture these fun memories. Although we didn’t have our phones, we still wanted those “Insta-perfect” pictures.

To finish off the day, we were able to meet Laura and Vanessa Marano. They were the SWEETEST! We sat down for dinner according to our zodiac signs. It was so fun to catch up with other Virgos and discuss our traits. We topped off dinner by eating cake pops and making dreamcatchers. I felt like it was one big sleepover – it was so fun! 

The last morning in Sedona was spent exploring Slide Rock. Arizona is absolutely gorgeous! I definitely want to head back to explore more. After an eventful weekend and new memories created, we were told to unlock our phones and board the bus home. This weekend was definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had!

Not only was it fun to experience a place I’ve been longing to see with such inspiring women, it was incredible to sit back and reflect on my own personal life.

Without a phone, you are challenged to connect with people on a more personal level. There is no looking down and scrolling when you’re awkwardly stuck sitting next to each other on a bus or even rooming together! I was paired with a girl I had barely talked to and I ended up loving my time with her! It’s so surprising to see how selfish and secluded we are once we have a cellphone in our hands.

A weekend unplugged was exactly what I needed to realize I was wasting so many hours focused on my digital life that I wasn’t enjoying real life as much as I could. We compare ourselves to others online which makes us feel depressed. Additionally, we feel pressured because we see other’s posting lavish lifestyles or recent successes. In conclusion, we are all in a different stage of life and social media makes it so hard to realize that. 

I encourage you to take a day or even a few hours without social media. Head out to dinner without your phone or even spend a weekend with your phone locked up!

It’s so refreshing to live in the moment, connect with others and touch base with how you’re really feeling.

I have been trying to dedicate at least an hour of my day without my phone. I trade this hour of scrolling for an hour of meditating, journaling or working out. Escape the stresses of everyday life by getting offline and focusing on YOU! Mental health issues are becoming way more serious and common than ever before, so it is up to us to tackle them. Who’s with me?! Let’s put down and look up! 

If you have any questions about social media detoxing or want any tips on how to do so, feel free to message me! You can see more pictures from my trip by heading to my “Sedona” highlight on Instagram!

Much Love,
Hannah Claire