Beyond Fear: How to Embrace Solo Travel as a Woman
I discovered that being a young, black female traveling alone was no big deal. It actually empowered me, and I realized I should do it more often.
We've all been there, haven't we? You excitedly plan a trip with your friends, and they all seem totally up for it in the beginning, but then one by one, they flake out on you. Life happens, and sometimes they just chicken out.
But guess what? You don't have to give up on that trip just because they did! Trust me, I've been in your shoes. Back in 2009, I studied abroad in Cyprus and wanted to keep traveling afterward, but couldn't find anyone to join me. Then, in 2015, I planned a trip to Cap d'Agde, France, with two other friends who said they were in. Surprise, surprise, they flaked too! One kept changing her excuses, and the other couldn't get his passport sorted.
But you know what I did? I said, "Fuck it!" and changed my destination to Berlin, Germany. There was a Javascript conference I wanted to attend, so I thought, why not mix business with pleasure? And you know what? It turned out to be the best decision ever!
Solo travel is not as scary as it seems. My first solo trip was amazing! I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and at my own pace. I discovered that being a young, black female traveling alone was no big deal. It actually empowered me, and I realized I should do it more often.
Since then, I've embarked on solo trips to The Algarve in Portugal, explored the Tikal Ruins in Guatemala, ventured to Korea, revisited Egypt, and roamed around Portugal again. And even when I travel with others, I've learned to be okay with going solo on certain activities. Nobody wants to join me in Pompeii? No problem! I'll catch up with them in Rome later.
Solo travel is liberating! I have no regrets; in fact, I prefer it now. Along the way, I've inspired others too. These days, I'm choosy about who I travel with, and sometimes, I genuinely prefer going alone.
Take the Leap
So don't let the fear of going solo stop you if you're ready to travel while others aren't. It's an experience that can truly change your life. Just be prepared by doing your research, knowing your destination, and informing others of your itinerary for safety. Most importantly, keep an open mind and have a blast! ♥
Preparing for your first solo trip? Read about the 7 Tasks You Can't Afford to Ignore When Leaving the US.