Sometimes, when we look back at the most challenging moments of our lives, we realise how much they shaped us—not just as individuals but as creators. Today, I want to share a personal story from my travels that not only tested my resilience but also taught me key lessons that still influence how I approach my work, creativity, and even my business today.
This story begins over 15 years ago when I was a backpacker in China. At the time, I didn’t have a smartphone or the luxury of constant connectivity. My travel guide, the Lonely Planet, was my lifeline. I set off to explore Inner Mongolia, hoping to experience the vast, serene steppes, horse riding, and even sleep in a yurt. But what I didn’t anticipate was the isolation and uncertainty I’d face when everything went wrong.
You can listen to the whole story as a podcast here:
Arriving in a city late at night, exhausted and with only a rough idea of where I was heading, I found the hotel listed in my guidebook was closed. I had no internet, no phone, and no way to find a new place to stay. I walked the streets for hours, dragging my heavy backpack, as the world around me seemed to shut down—shops were closing, no one spoke English, and panic slowly crept in.
In the end, a taxi driver who spoke some English helped me find a place, but it wasn’t exactly the place I’d imagined. The hotel was tiny, with no running water, a squat toilet, and a door that wouldn’t lock. It was a place that clearly rented rooms by the hour, and there were noises in the hallways that kept me awake all night. But I was inside, safe, and out of the cold.
The next morning, I was back on track, feeling deeply grateful for the kindness of strangers and the lesson that even the most challenging experiences can have a way of turning into something good.
What does this have to do with creativity?
Everything.
When I reflect on that night, it reminds me of how creativity often requires us to face discomfort and uncertainty. Just like that night in China, when I didn’t know where I would sleep, there are moments in our creative journeys where we feel lost or unsure. We may find ourselves with a blank canvas or page, not knowing where to start. We might feel like we’re walking in the dark, searching for a place to land.
But just as I didn’t give up on finding a safe space to stay, we should never give up on our creative process, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain. That night in China taught me the power of persistence—of staying calm, relying on myself, and knowing that things would eventually turn around.
This lesson carries through to my work today. If a project doesn’t go as planned or if a painting isn’t turning out how I imagined, I remind myself that setbacks are temporary. Creativity is a journey, not a destination, and it’s okay to stumble along the way. What matters is that we keep moving forward.
As artists, we often face moments of doubt or frustration, but we don’t have to let them stop us. Instead of getting caught up in the discomfort, we can embrace it. Just as I managed to find a hotel that night despite everything, we can find our creative rhythm, even in the most chaotic moments.
It’s a lesson I’ve carried into my art practice and my business. Whether I’m sketching in my travel sketchbook or painting in my studio, I remind myself to stay calm, not panic, and to keep pushing forward. After all, it’s in the most challenging moments that we often find the greatest growth.
Speaking of travel sketchbooks—this experience also showed me the value of keeping a travel journal, whether that’s through sketches, notes, or even photos. When we travel, we encounter new people, cultures, and experiences that can deeply influence our creativity. By capturing those moments in a sketchbook, we preserve not only the visuals of a place but the emotions and stories attached to them.
So, whether you’re on an adventure abroad or simply exploring a new creative medium, I encourage you to bring along a sketchbook and jot down what you experience. You never know when a moment of discomfort or uncertainty might turn into your next big creative breakthrough.
If you’re curious about how to start keeping a travel sketchbook, I’d love to share some tips in future posts. In the meantime, take a listen to the full story in the podcast episode above, and let me know how you’ve turned challenging moments into creative fuel in your own life.
And remember, persistence pays off—both in life and in art.
I hope you enjoyed hearing about my solo travel experience and how it shaped my approach to both life and business. If you're inspired to embrace resilience and creativity in your own journey, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to reach out and share your story with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. For more about my art classes, workshops, and online community, visit my website. Keep creating, stay inspired, and remember – sometimes the hardest moments bring the greatest lessons.
Irene
@0wen Reuben Phenyo
vgwgwp