Postcard Cabins has had a special place in my heart for years. I’ve been a frequent visitor since 2021. But I love them even more after writing a big chunk of the manuscript for my upcoming book, MAKE BELIEVE, at Postcard Cabins Brazos Valley last year. Here are my top three tips for creatives hoping to make something meaningful during their stay.
1. Get outside—even if it’s cold.
The poet Mary Oliver famously wrote, “I don’t know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention.” She was known for walking in the woods with a notepad to stay ready for sparks of inspiration. I’ve found that some of my best creative moments happen while I’m on walks. Studies suggest that exposure to the outdoors enhances creative problem-solving by up to 50%. Being outside fosters a connection to something larger than yourself—a connection that sparks new ideas. Bundle up and let the fresh air do its thing.
2. Ditch the screens.
I know this is a tough one. Believe me, I love my phone as much as the next person. But I do think there’s something about screens that dims our creative spark. Research shows that handwriting engages your brain differently, allowing for deeper processing and better idea generation. When I’m at Postcard Cabins, I put my phone in the cell phone box and use a notebook to write. Writing by hand slows you down, but it also deepens your thoughts. When search engines aren’t one tap away, there’s more room to wonder.
3. Move your body.
Sometimes, the best ideas come when we stop chasing them. Neuroscientists call it the “incubation effect”—the phenomenon where stepping away from a problem allows your subconscious to keep working on it. That’s why ideas tend to pop up in the shower or while on a walk. During my stays at Postcard Cains, I found that practicing yoga, turning on the radio and dancing, or even just pacing the cabin floor helped me break through inspiration ruts. When you hit a mental block, listen to it and step away. Move, breathe, and trust that your brain is working in the background.
I love Postcard Cabins because they are so much more than places to stay. They’re spaces for true connection—with yourself and your creative spark. I would guess that your next great idea is probably already hiding somewhere in your subconscious mind. To coax it into the light, you just need to give it space to breathe.