A residential creative retreat to reconnect with your creative self through writing, photography, and playful art practices.
No prior experience needed in any art form. Just curiosity to learn and willingness to express.
Dates
23–28 December 2026
Location
Bodhigram Empowerment Centre, Dehradun
Arrive by the morning of 23 December. Depart by the morning of 28 December.
Limited to 10-15 participants.
Philosophy
Today, AI can write a sonnet sooner than you can open the cap of your pen. It can write crisp, succinct essays on any topic within seconds. It can create any image you can possibly imagine. In today's post AI, post social media world - creativity has proved to be redundant. You were toying with a beautiful creative idea in your mind and the next thing you see on an Instagram reel is someone already executing your idea. Suddenly it seems like all the creative ideas have been exhausted, executed and done for. In today's time and age, is creativity even relevant?
If such thoughts trouble you as much as they used to trouble me, I invite you wholeheartedly to this creative residency.
We will explore creativity from the lens of playfulness, expression and fun. I lament the day creativity was termed as a 21st century skill. When creativity got confined in the cage of a skill, educators ran to strategise steps on how creativity can be taught to children and adults alike. Creativity is the most innate nature of a human being. Children know it best. Rather than devising plans to teach kids creativity, had we blocked an hour and given children paints to play around with, we would have witnessed pure creativity at play.
Creativity is as simple as it gets. It's the joy you get when you write a heartfelt piece in your journal. It's the grounding you feel when you walk barefoot in the morning on wet grass. When you play with a child and their innocence and laughter completely enchants you, that is creativity and no AI can replace that. It is the natural state of being. In this retreat, we will attempt to do exactly this, we will return to our creative selves and play around with various forms of art.
We will write poorly, make bad art, sketch funny drawings and recite poems that don't make sense.
Approach
You are already creative. We will together create space for each other such that our creative selves feel safe to express itself. We do this through writing prompts, photography walks, zines, poetry, games, silence, and shared reflection. The idea is to consume less and create more to help you access creativity without pressure or performance.
Themes & activities
Morning pages, guided journaling and playful prompts.
Silent walks, analog experiments, and image-making without pressure.
Visual poetry, Zine-making and blackout poetry
Life at Bodhigram
Nestled in the forests of Thano, Dehradun, Bodhigram is a conscious community space designed for slowing down, reconnecting, and healing. You’ll stay in shared or single rooms and eat nourishing vegetarian meals together with the expansive view of the forest all around. The setting supports presence away from screens and the usual pace of life.
Is this for you?
This is for you if you:
Feel blocked by perfectionism or self-doubt
Want to create without needing to be “good”
Are tired of constant doing and screens
Crave a pause and a return to simple expression
No experience needed. Beginners are most welcome.
What a day might look like
8:30–9:30 Breakfast
9:45–11:15 Session
11:30–1:00 Session
1:30–2:30 Lunch
2:30–3:30 Rest
3:30–4:45 Session
5:00–6:15 Session
6:30 onwards Free
8:00–9:00 Dinner
About the facilitator
Cost
Double occupancy
₹20,000
Single occupancy
₹25,000
What’s included
Stay (shared or single room as selected)
All vegetarian meals
Tea and coffee
All facilitation, sessions, and creative activities
What’s not included
Travel to Dehradun
Transfer from Dehradun station / airport to Bodhigram
Any local sightseeing or outings from Bodhigram (costs will be shared equally if we go)
Refund Policy
Full refund is available if you cancel one month or more before the start date (by 23 November 2026).
After that, no refund is possible.
How to apply
Fill in the form below. I’ll write to find a time for a 15–20 minute call.
The call is simply a chance for both of us to see if this feels right, and for you to decide if the week is worth your time.
If it does, I’ll send the payment link and your place is held.
Questions? Write to me rishabhkhanejawrites@gmail.com or message on Instagram.