When Stagnation Hits, Get out of Town
All of us, at some point, struggle with stagnation. Whether it’s in our relationships, our jobs, or creatively, stagnation is a part of life. Sometimes we can feel stuck for a few days, for a few weeks and if we’ve really hit a rough patch, for several months. When we go through bouts of feeling stuck, it can be uncomfortable, frustrating, and even eat away at our self-esteem.
Over the last several months, I’ve hit a stagnation period and I’m sure it goes without saying that I haven’t been enjoying it. I’ve struggled with several business decisions and as a person who loves change and action, I have felt especially low because of my inability to move forward.
Throughout life, I’ve learned that one of the best ways to get out of these ruts is to travel, and as luck would have it, I just came back from a two week vacation to Iceland. Iceland was one of the best places for me to go: Every day was filled with new experiences, adventures and breathtaking sites. (check out a few of my photos below).
It’s easy to see why Iceland has become a popular vacation destination, and why the film industry has sought out its fjords, glaciers and highlands for popular shows and movies, such as Game of Thrones, Interstellar and James Bond. Everywhere you look, there’s another incredible site, one more interesting and magnificent than the next.
What’s more: I’ve come back with a new sense of renewal and inspiration, ready to tackle some of the problems I’ve been facing in business, and creatively, as well.
Although Iceland, no doubt, was beyond inspiring, the destination doesn’t really matter when it comes to reaping benefits from travel. Leaving our day-to-day life and environment distances us from problems, allowing us to take a step back and gain new perspective. This new perspective enables clearer and more objective thinking and enhances creativity. And if life seems especially stressful, or you feel stuck, frustrated, or bored, taking a break provides an opportunity to refresh the mind and come back with a new sense of motivation and inspiration.
If you’re going through a period of stagnation, I urge you to get away, and here are some easy ways to make it happen:
6 Ways to Travel to become Unstuck
Prioritize Getting Away: First and foremost, take the time off that you earn, and when you do, prioritize travel. Although taking a spontaneous day off can be therapeutic, avoid the temptation to make it a “staycation.” Aim to dedicate a certain percentage of your time off to travel. And, of course, look for opportunities to use paid holidays for travel, as well.
Don’t Discount Weekends: Travel needn’t be of long duration for you to benefit. Even a weekend getaway to a place nearby can provide tremendous value. Aim to get out of your area and explore once a month.
Spending isn’t the Priority: Travel doesn’t have to be expensive for you to reap benefits, either. Camping, backpacking, and traveling cross-country in a car or RV all can provide wonderful experiences and memories for individuals and families and be less expensive to boot. It isn’t how much you spend, but rather what you experience during your travels that matters most.
Immerse Yourself: Go beyond the basics and try the local food, learn the language and speak with the locals. Visit favorite hotspots of locals to immerse yourself in the culture of the area you visit. The more you do this, the more you’ll challenge your brain in new and interesting ways, opening up your mind and your world. Further, you’ll get so much more out of your experience than if you “play it safe” with things you already know or that seem familiar.
Escape to the Great Outdoors: Traveling to places that have you exploring nature and the great outdoors inspires creativity. Further, facing challenges—hiking difficult trails, dealing with unpredictable situations such as rain during a camping trip, and having little to no communication with the outside world—tests you in ways that help build self-esteem and confidence, problem-solving skills, and flexibility.
Diversify: You may love going to the beach. Or you may prefer to explore old-world European cities. Try mixing things up, however, by traveling to different types of places and taking different types of vacations. This will challenge you in new and exciting ways, making each trip unique, and giving you something different to experience each time you travel.
Go Solo: Traveling alone provides opportunities for deep self-reflection and growth. When we are forced to be on our own, we are given an opening to think about things we often don’t confront when we are with others. Further, when we travel alone, it forces us to move out of our comfort zone and do things on our own as opposed to letting someone else do them for us. This boosts confidence and stimulates our brain differently than when we travel with others.
AND…The More the Merrier: As much as traveling alone can do a world of good, traveling with others also provides wonderful benefits. It brings people closer together and creates deeper bonds. Look for opportunities to travel, not only with your immediate family, but also with friends, colleagues, and classmates. Ask a colleague you want to get to know better to join you at a conference or to visit a new potential client. Tack on a couple of extra days to see the sights and explore together. Instead of visiting friends in their home environment, plan a weekend getaway together to explore a new city.
Have you found travel to reawaken your creativity?