Getting Creative on Your Career Break
In the 1940′s a young man went on the road trip of his life through America and Mexico. As he was traveling, he kept a journal of his experiences, and later turned it into one of the greatest books of our times.
Jack Kerouac’s On the Road is the quintessential example of art inspired by travel. Whether you are a master sculptor or make the occasional doodle, there is nothing like hitting the road to get the creative juices flowing. Getting outside your daily bubble and being surrounded by the romance of adventure is bound to bring out the Picasso in anyone.
For some of us, it is second nature to sit down and crank out a poem about a beautiful mountain range, but for others, it may take some coaxing to get the right brain in motion. Here are some tips to get the pen to paper, the eye behind the lens, and the fingers strumming the guitar.
Seek out your passions and get involved: What is your favorite hobby (besides travel of course)? Find that in the places you are passing through. If you love dance, find the local salsa club. If you love food, find a cooking class. It is a great way to experience the local culture within a context you already understand. It may inspire you to try making that new dish or show your friends the local dance move you learned when you get home.
Venture out on your own: If you are traveling in a group or with a travel partner, take some time to yourself. Wander through the local market and take photos, sit on the beach and sketch, or hum that song out loud that has been churning in your head. Travel is an emotional and personal experience, so take the time to hang out with you and channel the creative side lying within.
Do something that terrifies you: Unfortunately, everyday life can numb our brains; time to wake them up! Are you afraid of spiders? Eat one. Do heights make you weak in the knees? Take a hot air balloon ride. By getting the adrenaline going you will tap into your sleepy brain and get it thinking in a different way. It may even inspire that short story or painting about the time you faced your fears-and won.
No matter how you choose to express yourself creatively, it is guaranteed to enhance your travel experience ten fold. You will unknowingly be documenting your trip and participating in things you may have passed by.
Through June 6, Intrepid Travel is giving away a trip for 4 for showing us how creative and intrepid you truly are.
Tell us why you are intrepid through photos, song, video, or stories, and you could be on your way with three of your best travel buddies. Visit www.iamintrepid.com to submit your entry or vote for others and get inspired. We will also give you 15% off a future trip just for entering or voting! So get out there and tap into your creative side!
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.