Greetings from Austin, TX.
Source: flickr.com via Liza on Pinterest
I wish I had some personal photos to share with you, but I do not. For when I travel alone to a new city, I’m reluctant to snap many photos for risk of standing out as a “tourist.” It’s a little safety concern I have. But on to the topic at hand:
I find that whenever I travel, even for business, I am inspired and my creativity is re-invigorated. Does this happen to you?
It doesn’t take much but a change of scenery, a new town or new terrain, to get my creative juices flowing. And usually within hours of hitting the ground in a new town, the ideas are flowing almost faster than I can jot them down.
It happened today when I landed in Austin. I’m here for work, but I had a few hours before my business dinner this evening. I stopped at a little cafe with a lovely outdoor patio, and just grabbed a snack so that I could sit outside and enjoy the lovely 80-degree weather before heading to the hotel. By the time I left the cafe, my notebook was chock-full of new ideas for my shop that I not only thought of, but was really able to plan in detail, during that brief time.
What is it about traveling that makes my creative brain feel like someone opened the flood gates? In Texas I know I’m digging the scenery, the smell of the semi-desert air, and the different terrain. It feels very southern and arid, from the dry soil to the scrubby little trees the likes of which you’d never see back home on the East coast.
Then there’s the fact that Austin is unlike any other city I’ve found in the US. It’s bizarre. There are food trucks everywhere, selling any and every type of food you can imagine. There are also Tex-Mex restaurants and cantinas everywhere. The town seems a little rough around the edges, and the nicer parts seem to lack that glitz and glam that the East coast cities have. That’s a-ok with me! Oh, and I’m pretty sure many of the young people here don’t realize it’s not 1995 anymore. 🙂
Source: austinmoversblog.com via Mark on Pinterest
But this inspiration isn’t happening just because Austin is weird. It happens wherever I go. . . and when I’m alone I find that I relish the opportunity to be away from my sewing machine and house full of projects. Maybe that’s the key.
Does this happen to you? If not, when do you find you get the most inspiration?
6 Comments
I absolutely agree with you! Sometimes I’m resistant to travel, but I find that the change up in my routine definitely gives me a creative boost. Like my brain makes new connections I don’t make at home. I hope you have a great trip and find yourself inspired!
I think the key to getting the creative juices flowing is to relax and notice your surroundings. Naturally travel is a great way of doing that. Long showers pose useful for me too, which I feel a little guilty about, but I guess there are worst vices. Introducing yourself to a new culture is inspiring as well.
I am glad you are having fun and being productive. Enjoy the rest of the trip!
I moved to Austin in June. One of the most friendliest cities I’ve lived in (formally from the East Coast). Enjoy your visit! We love our food trucks and our “wierdness”. If you get a chance, make sure to get some BBQ from Rudy’s and head a little north to the beautiful hill country– its gorgeous this time of year.
Jane, I’m over here nodding my head. There’s something about the quiet of travelling alone on business that opens up all sorts of new ideas. Suddenly, I’m getting inspiration in the weirdest places!
I live just down the road from Austin in the great town of New Braunfels. Welcome to Texas, hope you enjoy(ed) your visit.
The same thing happens to me! I think its because I see the same things day after day in my normal routine, it is only when I walk to a different neighborhood or step off my usual beaten path that I get that rush of creativity and the spark is rekindled.