Solo-female travel is becoming increasingly popular these days, and for good reason. A solo journey has many benefits, but a boost to your creativity is one of the most powerful ones. Traveling alone will inspire your creativity by pushing you out of your comfort zone, empowering you to connect with your intuition, and teaching you to lean into your curiosity. Here is my take on why solo travel should be a bucket list item for every creative woman.
By Camila Castro, Mindful Travel Coach
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Space and stillness are the crucial elements needed for our creative energy to well up and demand to be expressed. We are all creative beings but, in most cases, our innate creativity has been driven out of us or suppressed by a society that does not value the power of creative expression.
"Solo journeys help make the space needed for creativity to be explored and, in fact, even planning travel can spark feelings of happiness and inspiration."
But the creative spirit continues to reside within each of us, waiting for the right moment to emerge, and solo travel can create the perfect environment for your creativity to thrive. Solo journeys help make the space needed for creativity to be explored and, in fact, even planning travel can spark feelings of happiness and inspiration.
In my experience, being pushed out of your comfort zone is one of the best ways to engage your creative spirit. Traveling alone will undoubtedly put you in situations where you might have to lean on your creativity more than you’re used to doing in your daily life. When faced with time alone in an unfamiliar destination, unable to communicate in the local language, and unsure of your surroundings, being able to tap into your creativity to navigate the uncertainties of travel can change your experience completely.
Inspired to think outside the box, we seek an inventive approach to dealing with the inevitable challenges of solo travel – and the more we can tap into our creative energy, the more powerful and abundant it becomes.
Leaning Into Intuition and Curiosity
Much of creativity is born from intuition, and solo traveling can be a masterclass in teaching us how to be guided by our intuition. In the face of the uncertainties and novelties of travel, you will likely find yourself leaning into that gut feeling more and your self-trust will grow as a result. All of the new sights, sounds, tastes, encounters, and experiences that solo travel exposes us to heighten our awareness and enhance our curiosity – and curiosity breeds creativity.
Think about it…there you are, in a foreign destination and without the comfort of a traveling companion you can turn to when faced with the surprises and uncertainties of travel – no one to lean on when in doubt, no built-in conversation partners, and, most crucially, no one to distract you from the raw and magical experience of taking it all in.
So, what happens? You become more aware of your surroundings and wonder about what you see and experience. You start to ask questions and seek out answers to those questions. Your heart and your mind become more open, enhancing your curiosity. You find yourself with increased openness to the inner wisdom that will become a guide on your creative journey. You feel inspired and become more aware of your innate creative spirit.
Our outer journeys are often a reflection of our inner journeys, and undertaking a solo trip can be an ideal scenario for giving our inner creative voice the permission to explore, express, and expand. We get curious, learn to trust ourselves more, and listen to that inner knowing more keenly. In a new and foreign environment, we allow ourselves to be guided by our emerging creative energy in a way that we may not have been prepared to do back home.
Destinations that Inspire Creativity
Of course, it’s possible to have a transformative, creative travel experience in any destination, but there are a few destinations that come to mind that are particularly suited for solo female travel that will inspire and empower your creativity;
1. Maui – Hawaii’s Valley Isle is brimming with adventurous escapades and zen moments that inspire,
while surrounded by lush natural beauty, friendly towns, and a unique island heritage.
2. Iceland – Somewhat isolated in the North Atlantic, this island nation offers a rugged, wild, and
slightly dangerous natural beauty that takes your breath away, and vibrant cities that encourage
further cultural exploration and immersion.
3. Cornwall – Perhaps England’s loveliest region, it is a study in contrasts that piques your curiosity
with its charming villages, windswept coastline, stunning landscapes, pirate heritage, and mythical
history.
4. Mallorca – Spain’s magical Mediterranean island is not only balmy, gorgeous, and culturally
intriguing, but it has been a haven for creative types - Frederic Chopin and George Sand lived there for
a time - throughout its history.
5. Bali – Indonesia’s Hindu paradise is the ultimate destination for a more mindful travel experience
that will encourage you to reconnect with your truth, your authentic voice, and your creative energy.
Coaching Tips for More Mindful and Creative Travel
It’s not difficult to enhance your solo travels to enjoy a more enriching and fulfilling experience. Because solo journeys already create an ideal space for awareness, curiosity, and inspiration to thrive, all that’s needed for a more mindful and creative travel experience is to take a few simple practices on the road with you;
1. Travel journaling is one of the easiest and most effective ways to boost your creativity while traveling
solo. Bring a journal with you, perhaps with some pre-chosen prompts that will allow you to reflect on
your experience. Dedicate a certain time every day –even if it’s just a few minutes– to journaling and
just allow your creative voice free reign.
2. Practice slow travel if possible. The more you can slow down, the more space and stillness you will
have to allow your creativity to thrive. Slow travel –especially when solo– leaves more room for
spontaneity, and spontaneity is what will inspire your curiosity, sense of adventure, openness to new
things, and, ultimately, your creative spirit.
3. Express your travel experience through creative projects. You could do some scrapbooking or
collaging with odds and ends you’ve collected while exploring your destination – think ticket stubs,
polaroids, and cafe menus. You could create a Vision Board of your travels with cut-out images from
local magazines and travel brochures. You could take a class to learn a local art or craft, like Batik in
Bali or basket-weaving in Mallorca. Engage your sense of fun and let your creativity play.
The Power of Solo Travel
Solo travel brings many different kinds of benefits and can have a lasting impact on your creativity. Women who undertake these journeys have the opportunity to become more confident, empowered, assertive, and resourceful, as well as more creative. They can then bring those skills that they’ve cultivated on their solo adventures back home to enrich their lives and to inspire and empower other women to embark upon their own creative journeys.
About Camila
Camila Castro is a Mindful Travel Coach. You can find her on social media under @bejourneyful or at her website, www.bejourneyful.com.
