My Travel Essentials for Staying Creative on the Road
We’re only a few weeks into 2023, but I already feel a theme emerging for the year: movement. Almost everyone I know is on the go, in some way or another. Moving to new cities. Hitting the road in search of adventure. Planning for the future.
My own little family is traveling for the first time in three years and my daughter, Leila, will finally get to meet her grandparents. It’s all very exciting, but it’s also a big change to my daily routine. And as much as I feel called to explore, I’m also a homebody at heart. Like many creative types, my everyday rituals are everything to me. They keep me grounded and connected to my intuition. So when I’m away from home, I always make sure to bring a handful of “creative essentials” to inspire and nourish my spirit.
Leila and her grandma
Leila and I painting a flower pot at home
As we navigate this time of change and movement together, I thought I’d share some of these personal essentials — I hope they spark some ideas for your own!
1. Film Camera
There’s something magic about capturing moments with a traditional film camera and then waiting for the finished images to be developed. I won’t see any of my film shots from this trip until I’m back in Shanghai, and I’m looking forward to the big reveal!
2. Ipad
Drawing is just as important to me as writing. I especially love the app Procreate where I like to draw, add colors or imagine shapes for my next creations.
3. Jewelry-making kit
Travel always fills me with new ideas and inspiration, and I want to capture it all. So I take some wax and my wax pen wherever I go, so I’m always ready to carve out ideas for new jewelry pieces. Wax carving also helps me relax after a long day!
4. Journal
Journaling is often the only thing that can bring me back to my center, reconnect with my inner knowing and calm my overthinking mind. So I do it whenever I need to pour out my feelings, organize my thoughts, or explore ideas for new Okra collections. So my simple A4-sized journal is always with me.
5. Palo Santo Spray and Incense Holder
Burning sacred aromatics in my Okra Sun incense burner is a simple but powerful way to clear the space and ground myself. I like to use palo santo (a gorgeously scented wood from South America). And since discovering palo santo spray from the Andean Apothecary, I’m never without a bottle of this magical stuff.
6. Books
I always have books on the go, to feed my mind and inspire me. To stay in the spirit of creating with my hands and going with the flow, I chose the book “Daily Practice” by artist Johanna Tagada. I love the simplicity and purity of her daily paintings with pastel, felt pen, and other mixed media. I also love “Wild Daughters” poems by mythologist Maria Souza. Her poems keep me connected to my inner knowing.
I enjoy reading when I have free time, like after putting my daughter to bed or when her grandparents take her out for the day.
“Daily Practice” by artist Johanna Tagada
“Wild Daughters” by Maria Souza
7. Candles
I light it whenever I want to bring a cozy atmosphere to my temporary room, it’s one of those things that instantly make me feel cozy and at home wherever I am. These days, my absolute favorite candle is my Cancer Astrology Candle from our collaboration with Eunoia.
8. Music
Music is a major part of my creative process, and I have playlists for everything. Journaling, meditating, exercising. I even make a monthly Okra playlist to share what I’m listening. You can follow the Okra playlist on Spotify:
9. Hand cream
A few years ago, I had a painful wrist injury that lasted for months. I couldn’t use my hand, and creative ideas had to stay on hold. But I work with my hands all the time, they’re precious to me! That’s why little luxuries like a good hand cream are part of my daily self-care and a reminder to give them some love. (plus, my rings look extra nice when my hands are silky and moisturized). At the moment I love Eu Noia’s new hand cream; it’s a treat and smells divine!
10. Jewelry
I don’t feel fully dressed without at least one personal talisman. I want to be intentional with the pieces I wear on this trip, so I’m wearing my beloved water pendant as a reminder to go with the flow, let go of resistance and listen to my intuition. I also wear my abundance ring and Coral hoops everyday. For evening wear, I love my Spiral earrings and Vanilla Tea ring.
Will you be traveling this year?
What creative essentials will be in your travel bag? Let me know in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
May your inner knowing always guide you home to the serenity of your island within.
