Often there comes a time in many of our life when we look back and realize, “Oh wait. What happened to all my hobbies?” The sad reality of adult life is that most of us do not have either the time or the inclination, to pursue anything that requires more brainpower at the end of a long day.
When you do get around to making an attempt, you tend to come up blank. You suddenly realize that you have a massive creative block. It doesn’t matter if you’re an artist, a writer, a dancer, or a musician; we all experience this stagnation and suddenly we start questioning whether we’re even good at it.
With most of us living a fast-paced life filled with barely any time to breathe, we often forget to stop and smell the flowers. As a result, we have stopped noticing the beauty that surrounds us. What chance does art stand without an appreciation for beauty?
If you’re looking for a way to recapture your creative spark, a majority of experts agree on one solution: travel. There are plenty of studies that assert that travel makes you more creative. Artists and musicians have always wandered in search of inspiration. Maybe there’s some truth in that after all. So what is it about travel that helps?
A break from the day-to-day grind
One of the main reasons people experience creative blocks is being stuck in a rut. Doing the same thing over and over again, day in and day out can really bring your work to a standstill. Creativity highly depends on stimulation from the environment we live in. In other words, routinely kills inspiration. So how do you combat this issue? Break the rut. Plan a vacation that you know will help you fall in love with life again. After all, art imitates life!
The rejuvenating power of nature
A lot of scientific studies show that being out in nature, away from the thrum of human activity is good for your body in mind. In fact, several tentative studies in color psychology show that the color green has a positive effect on the serotonin and dopamine levels in humans. This means your body literally begins to cheer itself up when you’re out in the wild. Maybe that is why so many painters and writers prefer to work in places of scenic beauty!
Interacting with new people
This one is a given. Art is meant to be shared. When you travel to new places and meet new people, suddenly you gain a ton of new knowledge! You can learn about their life, their hopes, and dreams. Also, ask people to share local stories and folktales they grew up with. There is nothing like a meaningful conversation to fuel creativity.
Having brand new experiences
Sometimes all you need to do is experience something you’ve never seen before. If you never have, visit the sea, play in the snow, dance in the rain, try new food, try on the native clothes. Travel can have a lot of stimulating experiences. You never know when you hit jackpot!
Learning new art forms
While you’re in a place try visiting local craftsman and watching them work. If you’re brave enough, try your hand at it. Creativity can be expressed in many different ways! It may not be your style but you never know what you’re missing until you try! Besides, learning something new can never go to waste. Give yourself some time and you’ll see that new style you learned, has quickly seeped into your own personal artwork and you never saw it coming!
Rediscovering your art
While we are on the subject, it often happens that you forget what you liked about your art form in the first place! You tend to just go through the motions robotically and suddenly your art is just as empty of creativity as your job! How much worse is it if your artwork is your job? The essence of creativity is a passion! So, take some time off and go enjoy falling in love with it again. That renewal of love for your art is guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing again!
The trick of adrenaline
The brain is a funny thing. You put yourself in an exciting situation and suddenly, it starts firing at breakneck speeds. If you have never tried it before, give it a go! Adventure sports are a fun way to leave your troubles behind. The burst of adrenaline is enough to make you forget your woes. And maybe, just maybe, even give you that much-needed perk to your artwork.
Of course, traveling is subject to personal tastes and preferences. There is no hard and fast rule about it. You can choose what you wish to do, and how you wish to do it. You can travel alone, with your family, or with a group of close friends. Whatever you choose to do, remember this: traveling does boost your mood and help you feel a lot more creative.
