Leaps of Faith: Creativity, Travel, and Growth

Hey there,

I’ve been swimming into your inbox a little more than usual this month, but this is the regularly scheduled Alta Adventures monthly newsletter 😉

How is 2025 treating you so far?

The beginning of this year has been a whirlwind—a blend of beauty, strangeness, alignment, and confusion. I'm learning to ride the waves, embracing life's nuances and dualities. I began the year frolicking in Temescal Canyon, Los Angeles with two of my closest friends, only to watch those same canyons become engulfed in flames days later.

Being in Los Angeles during the fires was surreal. The smoke and ash filled the air, casting a haunting, dystopian feel over the city. 

At the same time, the state of the world has been heavy on my heart. I feel the weight of the chaos we’ve been navigating globally. It’s a harsh reminder of why we need to slow down, connect, and create meaning in our own lives. Getting out of a fear state and connecting with our bodies and each other is something I encourage you all to prioritize daily.

Amidst it all, I’m taking big leaps—tremendous, daunting ones that push me out of my comfort zone. Launching Steps to the Soul was one of the most vulnerable things I’ve done, but the response has been beyond anything I imagined.

The overwhelmingly positive feedback has been a beautiful reminder of the power of being seen and heard. One of my best friends described the series as “a call to freedom,” perfectly encapsulating everything I hoped it would be. Knowing it has inspired others to walk their own Camino fills my heart with joy.

My next leap? My first solo backpacking trip. I left LAX for Thailand, to spend the next month on an island doing two WorldPackers volunteer exchanges. I’m currently painting a couple of murals in exchange for a hostel stay. Combining creativity with travel has long been a dream of mine, and I didn't think twice about saying yes to this opportunity. 

Solo travel has its challenges. I miss the comfort of a home base and the stability of a set routine. But as I remember my longing for a life like this two years ago, I realize how far I've come. The freedom I yearned for is now my reality, and I'm embracing it fully.

The weight of big leaps often feels daunting, but once you take the plunge, you realize just how capable you are. Arriving at my hostel in Bangkok, I was hit with a wave of relief—proof that I can handle this. Solo travel is teaching me resilience and self-reliance, reminding me to savor each moment. 

From spontaneous hikes to the most breathtaking sunsets, I'm finding joy in the present as I work toward future goals. Right now, I’m doing my best to soak in the season I’m in now, live fully, and appreciate every moment and lesson while learning to love myself and my solitude.

My challenge to you, dear friends: What leap have you been longing to take but fear has held you back?

Something you know will nourish your heart and soul—something you've felt called to for so long but have avoided out of fear of growth, rejection, being seen, or maybe all of the above?

I want you to take one step toward doing it this week.

One small action. It doesn’t have to be anything major. It can even be as small as telling another person about it and asking them to help you or hold you accountable. You’ve got this.

Here's to enjoying the moment and embracing the spiritual growth that comes with it.

I hope you can make someone smile today.

Holly x

🎥 P.S., If you haven't yet, I'd love for you to catch up on Steps to the Soul, my Camino de Santiago video series. Episodes 1-5 are now available on my YouTube channel