Finding Inspiration While Travelling

We've been overseas since the beginning of September, and this trip has brought so many feelings to the surface.

From reconnecting with the land of Naarm/Melbourne, a city that once saw me flourish and that will always be close to my heart, to the long journey back to my homeland in Chile with a sick toddler, missing belongings, heavy jet lag, and the sense that everything was moving far too quickly, it has been a whirlwind.

And yet, within all of that, we have found moments of stillness. Moments to begin grounding again, to connect with our family and friends, with the land, and with ourselves here in Chile.

After the first two weeks, and a couple of days in the bustle and aliveness of Santiago, we travelled north to spend six days in Atacama, the driest desert on the planet.

San Pedro de Atacama welcomed us with its heat, dusty roads, scarce shade, and the warmth and care of its people.

Travelling as a mum now has shown me just how different the experience can be. Priorities shift, rhythms change, and everyone’s needs are in the mix. I remembered the freedom of just going, doing, and being, and yet I found myself with mixed feelings when it came to planning and choosing. Do we stay and rest? Do we go and explore for hours? Can we visit the higher-altitude places, or is it better to keep things gentle and find a playground? These are the choices that shape travel for me now, and maybe they sound familiar to you too.

So, in between all the decision-making, planning, and taking leaps (because I really wanted my family to see and experience what this part of Chile had to offer), I also found moments to connect with some incredibly talented female artists and female-led projects. Their work carries a deep sense of belonging — to the land, to the dryness, to the very skin of this place that lies beneath the unrelenting sun.

Photo cred: La Femme.

I visited La Femme, a beautiful project led by women, where a group of inspiring female creators share space to showcase their work — from pottery to handwoven shawls, felt pieces, jewellery, and natural skincare. It felt like a true oasis within San Pedro’s touristic Calle Caracoles.

There’s so much more I want to share from this journey. The places, the people, and the sparks of inspiration that have stayed with me. I’ll save those for Part 2, where I’ll tell you about the artists whose work touched me most and the quiet beauty I found along the way.