Traveling Solo is Awakening

As I return from my yearly retreat in Ireland I thought I’d challenge you to take a similar one for yourself. When was the last time you took off on a trip by yourself? I’m not talking a movie night or going to see relatives. I’m talking a week where you don’t have to answer to anyone or anything. The job and responsibilities are left behind and the phone isn’t by your side.

Each year I challenge myself to experience time like this as I head to Ireland for an exhibition and a self-designed residency for six to eight weeks. The first time I did this was a very awakening experience; I had decided to spend an additional week in Ireland after traveling with my sisters and mother.  As they left for the airport to return to the states and I was alone in our final hotel I all of a sudden realized I had no one but myself to rely on. The feelings were both scary and empowering all at the same time.  At the time I knew no one in the entire country that I could have called upon if I had needed help. Once I got past this paralyzing feeling I began to experience the biggest rush of an adventure. Each time I did something I told myself “Look that wasn’t hard and you did it all on your own!”

Traveling on your own comes with some wonderful perks. YOU decide which exhibitions you attend, what architectural marvels you walk past, how long you stay and what direction you walk.

Good or bad, right or wrong each decision is yours…ALL YOURS!

Over the years I have found this time to be very cathartic. I spend a great deal of time soul-searching, writing, creating artwork and gathering information which later is translated into works of art in my Huntsville, Alabama studio. Writing was never something that I considered myself to be good at but it has really given a lot back to me over time. I force myself to reflect on my life and all the riches that it provides on a daily basis and what I’d love to add in the future. These discoveries always manage to find their way into my work either through my writing or creative manifestations. I spend a great deal of my time observing nature while climbing the mountains and sitting by the sea. The freshness of the breezes whipping my hair from side to side give my skin that freshly touched feeling.

These times of solitude feel like a baptism allowing me to open a new chapter in my life each year.

What new challenges will you put in front of yourself in the coming year?

Remember to be just a bit uncomfortable so you allow yourself a place to grow.