In the spring I took a trip to Bali! It was an incredible trip, filled with adventure, good food, beautiful sights and lovely people. I wanted to share a bit about my trip with you and also encourage you to plan your next adventure! When was the last time you got a chance to travel? Taking a break and getting out of your own little bubble is fuel for your creative soul. Exploration and adventure can lead to incredible discoveries and connections. Plus, there is an added benefit... you will be more productive when you get back!
Travel helps you get out of your head. There's nothing worse for our creative brain than to be stuck in that logical thinking mode and not be able to get out. Sometimes we just get in this cycle of automation that does not breed creativity at all. Going to a new place, letting our mind wander, observing and getting out of the list of things to do in your head will do wonders for your creative soul.
I tried to spend as much time as I could, walking silently and observing...trying to just absorb the beauty around me.
Travel helps you experience new things and make connections. When we are constantly surrounded by our safe space of work, friends, family and routine, our creative brain can get a little bored. New experiences and surroundings breed new creative ideas. The more you can find time to put yourself in a place where you can get new stimulation for your Inner Artist, your outlook can return to that of a child, seeing things through the eyes of wonder and excitement. In this way, our brain begins to make connections and new ideas form. You never know where your next inspiration will come from!
I tried many different kinds of coffee including Luwak coffee made from beans that a jungle cat eats and poops out!
I love finding artists and artisans who are doing cool things in different countries. This inspires me in my own work. Check out this beautiful batik sari that was made by Brahma Tirta Sari.
Travel can help you to do something that you are afraid of. Like I say all the time, fear is the enemy of creativity. But honestly, sometimes I can get so wrapped up in fear that it seems impossible to get out. Especially since I am a very sensitive person who has a lot of specific needs when it comes to food, places to stay and my general environment. It can cause a lot of anxiety to think about what might happen when there is so much unknown. Also, we have access to so many things, it's easy to become afraid of what life would be like without constant internet access, cable or gluten free bread! Stepping out of our comfort zone and experiencing something that we have been afraid of can push us beyond the boundaries we may have set for ourself. This pushing ourselves can help us move beyond fear, which is so important to growing as an artist.
On a hike to a waterfall, we crossed a raging stream on this slippery bamboo "bridge". And my friend did it in flip flops! Bravo!
Travel can help renew your faith in humanity. When we travel and meet people who are different than us, we have an opportunity to connect with them on a human level. We can experience the joy of learning about new cultures and customs and we realize that we are more alike than we are different. If we can cultivate connection, compassion and empathy for others it will help us to renew that for our own self. Every artist or creative person needs that empathy to make something that speaks deeply to the world.
I fell in love with the Balinese culture, the more I learned about it. This is the holy water temple Tirta Empul where people from all over the world go to pray and get spiritual blessings.
Travel can you make you more productive! In his Scientific America article Why Your Brain Needs More Downtime Ferris Jabr cites multiple scientific studies and concludes "Downtime replenishes the brain’s stores of attention and motivation, encourages productivity and creativity, and is essential to both achieve our highest levels of performance and simply form stable memories in everyday life." Our brain needs time to process. This is the truth. If we are always working at full-speed, our brain cannot do some of the essential parts of it's job. One of the best things we can do for our creative self is to give it downtime to work through everything it's absorbed, make connections and replenish itself.
When we finally got some downtime, this was my favorite spot to chill, journal and draw.
Took in a lot of sunsets and a couple sunrises, a lovely meditation.
I hope you've enjoyed this little peek into my travels and I hope that it has encouraged you to explore and expand your horizons. Where was the last place you traveled to? How did it impact you and your creativity?
Finding freedom in your art is a process. We are all growing and learning every day. I truly believe that I can help you to step outside of your negative thoughts and embrace your natural way of creating.
Are you ready to get started?
In my Finding your Creative Voice E-Course you can:
Let go of self-judgement and learn strategies for authentic creative expression
Experiment with various mediums and styles such as watercolor pencils, pens and collage
Create an entire project from inspiration to completion
Using your sketchbook as a guide, you will begin to see your own style emerge through observing what naturally draws you to creative flow
Gain confidence to keep a creative practice that will enrich your life
Get encouragement from others who are on their own journey and experience a warm and accepting community
No art experience necessary! Open to beginners or advanced students.
Do you have creative tips, tricks or questions?
I would love to include any ideas that you have on how to jump start your creativity or take it to the next level. What have you found that's worked for you? Or do you have questions that I can answer in my next newsletter? Email me at esther@estherloopstra.com and let's create a creative community!
