So, here’s the thing. I was sitting in my tiny apartment one day, scrolling through Instagram (as one does), and I came across this stunning photo of a woman standing on a cliff in Iceland, her hair whipping in the wind, and she looked… free. Like, genuinely, unapologetically free. And I thought, “Why not me?”
Fast forward six months, and I was on a plane to my first solo destination: Lisbon. I remember the mix of excitement and sheer terror as I boarded that flight. I mean, traveling alone as a woman? There’s a lot of noise out there about how dangerous it is, how you shouldn’t do it, how you’ll regret it. But let me tell you, it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
The first thing I noticed was how liberating it felt to make all the decisions. No compromising on where to eat, no debating over which museum to visit, no waiting for someone else to get ready. It was just me, my backpack, and my whims. And let me tell you, whims are underrated.
But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There were moments of doubt, like when I got lost in the winding streets of Lisbon and my phone died. Or when I arrived in Marrakech and realized I was the only woman in the medina without a male companion. But those moments taught me something invaluable: I’m capable of more than I ever thought.
One of the biggest myths about solo female travel is that it’s inherently dangerous. Sure, there are risks, but life is risky. Walking down the street in your hometown is risky. What I’ve found is that most people are kind, helpful, and genuinely curious about why you’re traveling alone. In fact, being a solo woman often opens doors—literally and figuratively.
Take my experience in Japan, for example. I was in Kyoto, trying to figure out how to get to this hidden temple I’d read about, and this elderly woman noticed me looking at my map. She didn’t speak a word of English, but she gestured for me to follow her. She walked me all the way to the temple, and when we got there, she gave me a little bow and a smile. It was one of the most beautiful moments of my trip.
And then there’s the confidence. Oh, the confidence. There’s something about navigating a foreign city, haggling in a market, or ordering food in a language you don’t speak that makes you feel like you can conquer the world. I remember sitting in a café in Paris, sipping on a cappuccino, and thinking, “I did this. I’m here. Alone. And I’m thriving.”
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room: safety. Yes, it’s important to be cautious. I always research my destinations beforehand, avoid walking alone at night, and trust my gut. But I’ve also learned that fear shouldn’t dictate my life. I’ve met so many incredible women on the road—women who’ve trekked through the Himalayas, camped in the Sahara, and backpacked across South America. Their stories inspire me to push my own boundaries.
One of the most unexpected benefits of solo travel has been the way it’s changed my perspective on relationships. I used to think I needed someone to complete me, to make my life full. But traveling alone has shown me that I’m enough. I’ve learned to enjoy my own company, to be comfortable in silence, and to appreciate the beauty of solitude.
Of course, there are challenges. There are moments of loneliness, times when you wish you had someone to share the experience with. But those moments are fleeting. What stays with you is the sense of accomplishment, the memories you’ve made, and the person you’ve become.
So, if you’re sitting there, scrolling through Instagram, wondering if you should take the leap, let me be the one to tell you: Do it. Book that ticket, pack that bag, and go. Because the world is waiting for you, and it’s so much bigger and more beautiful than you can imagine.
And hey, if you’re nervous, start small. Take a weekend trip to a nearby city, or go on a solo hike. Ease into it. But don’t let fear hold you back. Because at the end of the day, the only thing you’ll regret is not trying.
So, here’s to solo adventures, to discovering yourself in the most unexpected places, and to living a life that’s truly your own. Because you, my friend, are capable of so much more than you think.