For those who know me, you know how much I love to travel. It's an immeasurable desire to see places I've never seen before, to talk with people way different than me, to be challenged by getting myself into a complete new situation. Every time I return from a trip, I feel different. Recently I asked myself why travelling matters so much and why is it more than a hobby but a profound need?
The answer is simple : because travelling is good for creativity!
Capture the mood...
The most important thing that I experience when I travel is to capture the mood of the city or the country I'm in. Are the people stressed, in a hurry, quiet or open minded? What kind of architecture, design, patterns dominate the streets? Which color, word and sound can summarize the all place? In what state of mind does the trip leave me? Tired? Perplexed? Lucky? All these informations create some "moodboards" that I can use later on professional projects, without realizing it.
See things with fresh eyes...
When you travel - especially when you discover a place for the first time - you look at things with complete fresh eyes. Everything feels new, different, original and interesting. It's important to capture the way you feel to try to feel it again once you're back in your personal and professional routine.
Remain open to new things...
When you travel you are forced to be constantly open. You can't be shy too long or stay in you hotel room all day! You have to face new places, new culture, new people, new way of doing things... And it could be a challenge to you but it's always a good thing. It opens new spaces in your brain and we all know that creativity comes from a free mind!
Of course you may say that trips cost money, sometimes a lot of money! But travelling is above all moving you forward no matter the - geographical or spiritual - destination.
There are always things to discover and explore close to you.
Photo: I love these familiar objects which remind me to see things with fresh eyes and bring back memories from my trips.