I’ve begun to lean into the idea of traveling more and exploring different cultures. One thing that I’ve been somewhat less open to is the idea of traveling alone. I’ve seen all of the Instagram posts of women exploring new countries on their own, and I admire them so much. Let’s talk about traveling solo.
The Growth Factor
Have you ever wanted to go see a movie but you had no one to go with? Fed up, you grab your purse and head to the matinee that you didn’t want to miss. Once you get there you pat yourself on the back and wonder why you never did it before.
I feel the same way about the idea of traveling abroad alone. I want to grab my passport and go for it, because I am well aware of the astronomical growth that happens when you do something completely out of your norm. Something always stops me though.
I know my hesitation is based on the fear of the unknown. I also know that when you face your fears, you experience unparalleled freedom.
When I see a woman who has scaled a mountain or is standing alone on a hilltop admiring the sunset it inspires me. It also gives me the courage to try to experience that kind of freedom.
When you travel alone you experience me time to the nth degree, and you have the mental space to do some real soul-searching. There are no distractions and no time constraints. Although I haven’t done it, I believe that it must also strengthen your sense of independence.
Once you give yourself the permission to face your fears and do something different, a whole new world opens up.
Solo Logistics
Location…Location…Location
First of all…where do you want to go? I mean what is the one place that always intrigued you but no one else really cared about? Go there!
Travel Groups
I’ve been exploring the idea of doing a travel group trip for women first to get my feet wet. There are many travel groups where you can meet people and explore a new culture together.
Time Line
Decide how much time you want to start out with. Maybe you’d like to start small with a long weekend trip and then move up to a 5 day vacation. Start blocking out some time on your calendar and get going!
Safety Considerations
There is so much going on in the world, your safety is always going to be paramount. Always consider the overall safety of your proposed location, especially if you are traveling alone. I always tend to check travel advisories that are available online to get an overview of things that may be going on in that location.
If experiencing the joy of traveling solo has been a goal of yours, let’s get it crossed off your bucket list! I’ll keep you posted on how things are going over here!
If you have a moment, check out my previous post “Waiting For Permission…An Unconventional Life”
https://herpicketfence.com/waiting-for-permission-an-unconventional-life/
