Why Solo Travel?

expanding your horizons + discovering a new side to yourself

There is a lot of buzz around solo travel these days - people often romanticize it as a way to explore new places without the pressure of accommodating others. While I absolutely love the charming and romantic aspects of solo travel, like wandering beautiful streets in a foreign country, sipping coffee at cute cafes for hours, and chatting with strangers on a train ride, solo travel has so much more to offer. If you want to be confronted with different sides of yourself, challenge your limiting beliefs, potentially feel “lonely” at times, but also empowered because of all of these things, I suggest you try solo travel. It has changed me profoundly and provided me with confidence I didn’t realize I needed. 

Photo of me by my dear friend, Paige Becker.

This is a caption I wrote on Instagram a few years ago and I still believe it wholeheartedly: 

I’ve realized over the past couple of years that traveling solo brings out a part of my soul I didn’t know existed. It brings out a woman who is more adventurous, more willing to step out of her comfort zone, and more engaged with the world + with the people around her. I think this version of myself has always existed, it’s just easier for me to stay “safe” in my every day life. Safe in my routines and comfort zones, and while there is something beautiful about being able to have routine, I am also so thankful for the ability to meet new versions of myself. I’m constantly trying to figure out how to bring that version home with me. I’m really proud of the person I’m becoming and I think I don’t allow myself to feel that enough. It’s easier for my inner critic to win over with harsh thoughts, but not today. Today I’m proud of the woman in these photos for taking risks.

Things I do when I solo travel: 

• Create Routine — Most of the time when I travel, I frequent one coffee shop near the apartment I’m staying at, asking baristas + waiters for suggestions, and trying to feel as “local” as possible. I build routine as much as I can in order to create “normalcy” in a foreign place.

• Make New Friends — One of my favorite things about solo travel is that I never really end up as “solo” as I think. I have made dear friends + deep connections through my travels. 

• Daily Journaling — I love putting thoughts, dreams, worries, + memories into one place so I can remember exactly what I experienced on a trip. I love knowing that between my photos + journal entries, I will be able to “relive” a trip whenever I want to. It also helps me to stay grounded + present in the experience. 

• Try Local Cuisine — I love immersing myself in local culture and asking about local traditions and food. It adds to the experience exponentially when you can expand your knowledge of a place + feel more connected to it. It’s one of the biggest reasons I travel - to experience traditions that are different from my own. 

• Use Local Transportation — It is so rewarding to figure out a subway system in a new city or country. It may seem menial, but I promise the jolt of confidence it gives me for the rest of the day is real. Problem solving abroad gives you a new sense of self and shows you that you really can “do hard things” on your own. It’s also cost effective and easier than dealing with taxis in large cities. Additionally, the people-watching doesn't disappoint. 

Things I’ve learned:

• You are braver than you think you are. Every time I try something new while traveling, it gives me the confidence to try another new thing. It creates trust in my own abilities.

• Gaining new + different perspectives is so important for expanding your world view and extending grace. The more you can listen and try to understand people, the less judgement there is for those who live differently than you do.

• It’s ok romance yourself. Buy yourself flowers for your hotel room, treat yourself to a delicious pastry and warm beverage on a cute coffee shop patio, buy a unique piece of jewelry or souvenir to remember your trip, dress up and take yourself to a nice dinner, etc.

• It’s ok to give pieces of your heart away to people + places that you may never get back. Open yourself up to the possibility of falling in love with a place (or even a person). Our hearts are capable of giving and receiving endless amount of love, don’t stifle yourself just because you are afraid of potential heartbreak.

• There is a world of opportunities - don’t limit yourself! Have you wanted to take a cooking class in France? Want to feature your art in a gallery in Spain? Wanted to photograph a campaign along a beach in Greece? Give it a go! Make connections. Put yourself out there.

  Also, solo travel doesn’t always have to be in Europe or a foreign country. You can explore another state or province or city near you!

Safety tips:

• I try to avoid train stations at night. I will plan trips to arrive during the day time or sunset at the latest unless a friend is meeting me.

• I rarely mention that I am solo traveling to people I meet. If I am talking to strangers I mention meeting up with friends or that they are coming in town soon.

• I walk with pace (it’s my natural speed anyways) and try not to be looking at my phone/ a map. I make sure I know the general direction of where I want to go before I head out.
  

Where is your favorite place you have solo-traveled to? What places are on your travel bucket list? Have you learned anything about yourself while solo traveling? I would love to know!

Xx

Katie J.