Escape to the Desert
Where and why I took a solo trip to the desert to find some quiet
Have you ever thought to yourself - if I only had some time to myself to just THINK? I can’t tell you how many times I had that internal conversation with myself between 2020 and 2022. It was time to find my own space and enjoy the quiet.
Quarantine, adding a new family member, recovering for that family member’s debut, finding myself again, quitting my full-time job to become a full-time entrepreneur, and having all future travel plans grounded - all that can feel heavy and overwhelming.
This is not a blog about design or a camera roll full of inspiration in the form of a desert landscape and hand-made products - this is about filling your “cup.”
As a creative and a solopreneur, I was being “on” is a constant struggle. No matter the situation or lack of sleep (thanks, Levi), I’ve required myself to show up to the fullest and perform. I’ve worked hard to develop boundaries around my energy and to make sure the “spark” I had remaining was preserved. I knew this couldn’t last forever, so I booked a trip to Joshua Tree to relax and recharge.
Sarah and Rich have done wonders for the desert aesthetic they have created, and it all started in Joshua Tree.
Last year, my family and I stayed at their original Hacienda - it was amazing! This time, I opted for their Casita, which is a bit farther out in the desert. I wanted no reason to go into town since the whole point of the trip was to relax and hang out outside.
The Casita was just what I needed! The home's aesthetic is so aligned with what I love. It felt like I knew the place. Everything was thoughtful and designed with love and attention to detail. The experience they have created is so magical that it made it easy to stay put.
The goal for this adventure was to recharge, find inspiration, and do some thinking on the evolution of Aurora Interiors.
Day One: Inspiration
A three-hour car ride alone can do one a lot of good! One thing I have picked up over the years is knowing what music allows my brain to stay active but I know it well enough that it turns into background noise as I problem-solve.
Do you have a go-to playlist? If not, think about creating one - it’s very handy.
Plugged in my phone and turned up the tunes! Thinking through questions like…
What is enough? What does success look like for me? How do I obtain those physical and mental milestones of achievement?
Then I let my brain wander into what my day would look like 5 or 10 years from now? Would I be taking yearly trips like this? What car would I be driving? Am I meeting people, like my team at Aurora Interiors - is this a team trip we all do together?
Started to lay the groundwork for the days ahead and the questions I wanted to dive into a bit more the next day.
Just like that, the three hours zoomed past and I was in Yucca Valley, California for lunch.
I love driving through these small towns, and their shopping and vintage stores are AMAZING! Places like Mojave Flea have a plethora of local goods and vintage you can score beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces. Acme5Lifestyle has the best desert-inspired goods for your home, and some great jewelry and clothes. The End has racks of vintage I love flipping through, and ultimately purchasing a treasure of two.
All this said, the inspiration comes not from the shopping but just exploring how things are thoughtfully placed together by the shopkeepers.
Filling my cup started here - popping in and out of shops, talking to the owners or fellow shoppers. One reason I love vintage clothing is the racks.
How the clothes are placed on them - seeing unexpected color and texture combinations is just what I needed! Sure, these goods were not meant to always be together but sometimes you find some very unique layers of texture in color when everything is one-of-a-kind.
Worked my way from Yucca Valley to Joshua Tree, stopped at a grocery store, and headed up to the Casita. I took myself on a little tour of the home and the yard, then settled in for the evening.
Day Two: Recharge First, Big Picture Second
I didn’t want my time here to be too intense on the future of my company, what direction I wanted to take, or any goal setting - I just wanted to give myself the space to allow for some answers to find their way to me. Sounds crazy to some, but there is a reason most people come up with their best ideas on a walk or in the showers - it’s the quiet moments that allow for those deep-rooted questions to be solved.
Slowing down, even for just one full day, really helped my mindset on so many things - waiting 20 minutes for the water to boil gave me lots of those quiet moments to just zone out.
Something about me, I’m a great napper. My son has not yet found this strength, but I love a good nap. One of my favorite kinds is light-filled room naps, which usually consist of a quick cat nap and I wake up happy. Dark rooms, I associate when I’m sick or jet-lagged.
I have to say THIS nap, was one for the record books. Linen sheets, sun-soaked room, and beautiful desert out my window - you bet I recharged after 90 minutes in that environment!
After that glorious nap, I made myself some tea and found the best spot in the house - a hammock out at the property line. I circled back on those questions I asked myself on the drive down, and I was able to fine-tune my answers and create a more concrete path to working towards those goals. Spending fifteen minutes sitting in the sunlight between each question, and just allowing myself to take the time to think - wow, how wonderful does that sound?
What are some big questions you have been meaning to ask yourself? Are they about work, life, or both? How would you spend a whole day if you had it all to yourself with no commitments?
I sat at the kitchen table and pulled over my stack of magazines. It had been years since I thumbed through industry publications just for fun, so I made sure I brought a stack with me here. They were mostly European design magazines, but some were on modern rustic architecture or mid-century homes. Anything I loved I ripped out, pre-Pinterest style. I read the articles, jotted down any vendors or makers I wanted to look into more, and gathered a stack of images that I gathered for no reason other than “I like it”.
Looking at them all together fanned out on the table, I noticed something - my aesthetic. Through all these magazines with different styles from around the world, it was all there. The elements I work into every home or space I create - laying new and old, neutral colors with natural textures highlighted, antique and vintage finds, clean but unique furniture, and funky lighting. My projects all lean towards my client’s style, but these elements always find their way!
This was reassuring to see in a physical form. It also later became my physical pinboard in my office that I look at just about every day. Bringing that simple inspiration home meant a lot to me and gave me a lot of inspiration to lean into.
Day Three: Quiet
I felt so accomplished following a full day alone in the desert. Found direction, inspiration, and a charge of energy - that’s probably why I cleaned up the Casita in under 20 minutes and was ready to leave by 8:00 am. Don’t worry, I paused for a while and took it slow until I left to head through Joshua Tree National Park.
After having the ability to decide what I wanted to do, I landed on driving into the National Park. I love Joshua Tree National Park, so I couldn’t miss this opportunity! Knowing I still have a drive ahead of me, I settled on a no-commitment approach of driving 30-45 minutes in, and then right back out. So worth it!
The park was so quiet! It’s not often you drive up to the entry booth for a national park and there is no line. I took full advantage and headed in!
I drove and parked at a few picnic areas, and had my to-go breakfast. Took it all in and enjoyed the little time I had with those giant rock formations and towering Joshua Trees!
Heading back home, I went without music for a while. Can’t even tell you what I thought about it, but it was nice to have the last bit of silence.
I’m thankful to have the understanding of what I need as a person, a mom, a creative, and a business owner.
Also, I’m not afraid to ask for help - I don’t ask for it conventionally, and my husband will tell you I’m terrible at that. I mean, I know when I need to step back or not attend an event because I know it’ll drain my energy. Knowing what you need is half the battle. I’ve worked hard to know myself and listen as closely as possible when my body throws up a white flag. It’s one of the hardest but best things we can do for ourselves and others - put your oxygen mask on first before you help others. Bottom line.
Please use this as an excuse to spend some time with yourself. Find the quiet or space you have been needing - it can be a short drive away, a long flight, or even a nice quiet bath in the evening.
Whatever you can do, it is so worth it!