Recently, I had the opportunity to be a guest speaker at the Infinity Land Virtual Travel Summit. I participated in a panel discussion titled, "The Realities of Healing and Imagining as a Global Citizen," and I was honored to be one of four panelists exploring how healing has played a role in my numerous travel experiences.
Kristina, the host of the travel summit and panel moderator, used the following description to help guide our conversation: "Traveling abroad can be deeply transformative, providing space to heal and reimagine life. This session explore the personal evolution that comes with global experiences, from overcoming past limitations to sparking new ideas to redefining identity and purpose."
I discussed various experiences related to healing and traveling abroad. For my personal healing journey, I mentioned two solo trips I undertook. The first was an opportunity to perform a solo choreographic piece at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. My interest in the life and work of the sculptor Camille Claudel grew after visiting the Rodin Museum in Paris. I was intrigued by the fact that she had been Rodin's assistant, with some evidence suggesting she might have actually created some works credited to him. Her life story, which ended in madness and her death in an institution partly due to the lack of recognition for her work, resonated with me. My solo dance captured that descent into madness, as I felt a connection with her struggle, reflecting that women are often not acknowledged as men are for their work. This trip was also my first solo international journey, and while it was thrilling, I had to navigate unfamiliar cities and cope with the loneliness that can accompany solo travel. This experience aided my healing process by giving me the courage to step out of my comfort zone, explore new places independently, and confront some fears of the unknown.
The second healing event I mentioned was another solo travel experience during my sabbatical. I spent a month in Berlin, Germany, as an artist in residence. This trip occurred shortly after I tore my ACL during a dance performance. I needed surgery, and the healing process afterward was particularly challenging for me. I felt angry, frustrated, and experienced a loss of identity due to being on crutches for nearly two months. While in Germany, I created a 30-minute multimedia solo performance that helped me navigate that healing process. The extended time abroad was difficult, especially since I didn't know anyone in Berlin and had only visited once before. I experienced the challenges of navigating a new city and the loneliness that can accompany solo travel. However, my time in the dance studio and exploring Berlin was incredibly healing. Through movement, I was able to process my grief, anger, and pain, which profoundly transformed many aspects of my life. It again pushed me outside my comfort zone and challenged me to become a stronger person.
During the panel, I also discussed leading trips with individuals who were experiencing international travel for the first time and how it served as a form of family healing for them to learn about the arts and culture of different places. On one trip, we visited Auschwitz and Birkenau, and being there was incredibly emotional. We created artworks based on our experiences to help process some of the emotions we felt while there. The other travelers later shared with me how engaging in their creative process and being active helped them process the deep emotions they experienced at these sites.
Not all international experiences need to be deeply emotional to be therapeutic. Simply encountering new places and experiences can be healing. Another woman on the panel shared that after her daughter passed away, she traveled for two years, visiting various countries and leaving some of her daughter's ashes in each location. She noted that immersing herself in different cultures and exploring new experiences aided her in processing her grief and redefining her life and identity.
I've certainly experienced similar feelings through all my travels. Being abroad allows me to uncover more about my true self, and when I return home, I integrate those aspects into my everyday life. This is the reason I've embarked on my current journey. I aim to assist others in experiencing travel and understanding how it contributes to healing and overall well-being. If you're interested in discovering how travel can be part of your wellness routine, feel free to contact me at angela@hdwellnessandtravel.com
Jun 18
3 min read
