What if the most restorative thing you can do while traveling isn't simply relaxing, but making something — surrounded by people, in creative community, seeing the world (and yourself) a little differently than when you arrived?

In this Creative Check-In episode of The Creative Collective Podcast, Emily and Allie recap their recent trip to Folegandros, Greece — a Creative Club retreat Emily co-hosts, and the first one Allie has attended. Morning swims, linoleum stamp carving, watercolor doodles made with actual ocean water, and a group printmaking poster that everyone got to take a piece of home — this episode is part travelogue, part reflection on why retreats like this are having a real moment right now.

In this episode, they discuss:

• What it's like to experience a creative retreat for the first time as a guest instead of a host
• Why the loosest, least scheduled parts of the day ended up being the most restorative
• The group printmaking project that felt reminiscent of a high school yearbook (mermaid cats included)
• Why creative retreats are becoming the new version of the girls' trip — and why phone-free, analog experiences are popping up all over the place
• What it means to let yourself be positively creatively influenced by the people around you
• A challenge for anyone who can't book a flight to Greece this week, but still wants a piece of what this trip gave them

Resources & Links:

• Jennifer Chiles - Creative Club retreat co-host
• SPINA - Our dream getaway spot in Folegandros, Greece
• Monica McNeeley - Allie's travel buddy and fellow therapist
• Paige Bradford - watercolor meditation and Hooray Art Studio owner
• Sakura Koi travel watercolor set - our favorite for art on the go!
• Speedball linoleum starter kit for printmaking

Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠ or visit our ⁠website⁠ to learn more. If you'd like to be a guest on the show, you can apply ⁠here.⁠

You can find Allie on ⁠Instagram⁠ or her ⁠website⁠, and you can find Emily on ⁠Instagram⁠ or her ⁠website⁠ to learn more about all they do and stay connected

You can find Austin on ⁠Instagram⁠ for all of your podcasting and musical needs

If you enjoyed this episode, follow along and share it with someone who could use a little more creativity in their life.

And this is your reminder that you don't have to be an artist to benefit from creativity. You're welcome, as you are, in this creative community.