Writeropolis Media

Transformation is integral to existence.

At times, it can arrive unexpectedly and catch a person off guard. In other moments, there’s a heightened awareness of its impending arrival, allowing someone the chance to get ready. And, even if someone decides to take control and make the change, it can still be intimidating. There might be an air of insecurity about whether or not to proceed with the change.

One way to transform our inner selves is to get out of our comfort zones. There’s nothing better than thinking about your next trip to help do that.

Rather than traveling for pleasure, book your next trip as a solo creative retreat. Take some time off of work. If you can only weekend warrior it, do it. If you have kids, find out who can take them on while you’re off creating. Find a pet sitter if you have pets.

To prepare, gather up every half-done project, scrap of paper and voice memo with the spark of an idea, some adult coloring books, candles, music, journals, comfortable walking shoes, bathing suit, gym clothes, notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, whatever will help get your brain moving mentally and physically.

Make sure your favorite food delivery app is in order, so that you can order meals and have them delivered to your room so you don’t even need to leave. If you need to, take a dip in the hotel pool to refresh yourself, hence the suggestion to pack a suit. Feeling antsy? Take a walk around the hotel’s perimeter or hit the gym or take your notebook to the breakfast area.

Those are some ideas to get you thinking about how to make the trip work.

But what if you’re still on the fence about even going on a solo trip? That’s totally normal! We’re conditioned to travel with others, but creating on a trip with other people is tough because everyone has their own thing that they want to do.

So, to support you in your decision of self-exploration, these five questions can help evaluate whether planning a solo trip right now is a good idea. These questions will help distinguish between the conditions that merit your time and energy and those that do not.

Let’s get started.

1. Do you want to take a trip?

That seems like an easy answer, but it’s not. We do what we do because we want to share our talents with the world. However, being creative and trying to make money from it is a different beast. Singing for your supper means shaping your output to please as many people as possible, which can be tiring. Worrying about whether others like your work also takes up a lot of mental bandwidth. If you want to be happy with the work that you produce, make sure it is for you and not just to please others.

2. Will the trip make me happy?

Before making any plans, ask yourself: will this trip give my project some meaning? Will it make me happy? Will it inspire my current creative project? To answer this, you need to know what you want. Wanting to make a career out of being an artist means pouring energy into the business side of things. So, it’s time to evaluate your creative goals. Start by listing achievable objectives in a SMART goal format, then categorize them into short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. If you already have goals, now’s a good time to reassess them with the SMART goal framework.

3. Can the trip help me reach my goals?

The final step is to take action, which might push you out of your comfort zone but can lead to positive change. A positive mindset, patience, and self-acceptance are key. Remember, your goals might change, so it’s critical to stay flexible when setting new ones.

4. Will being out of my comfort zone improve my life?

Compare yourself only to who you were yesterday. There will always be someone who looks more successful but focus on your growth. Celebrate your achievements and think about your next steps. This mindset will keep you motivated and help you move forward.

Change can happen on a smaller scale, too. Consider upgrading your security system, planting a garden, or buying new linens. There’s a possibility that the trip might do more harm than good. Consider the potential changes can improve the quality of your work. Any change you make should help make your life easier, less stressful, and more enjoyable.

5. Am I worried about traveling alone?

Being afraid is natural, but letting fear control you isn’t. We’re all scared of failing, uncertainty, and many other things. Yet, there’s one thing that successful people do: they don’t let their fears take over their lives. They learn how to face whatever it is that’s giving those butterflies in their stomachs. Then, they take a deep breath and jump in.

Whether you are afraid of public speaking or heights, you must find the courage to face your fears. Go through with it, no matter what happens. Once you finish, you will become a stronger and more experienced person. You can choose to embrace the benefits of change or decide to stay the same.

If you remain the same, you will always feel unsatisfied and miss out on life.