Okay, real talk – who else secretly judges those “find yourself through solo travel” Pinterest boards? 🙋♀️ I used to think traveling alone was code for “has zero friends.” Then last summer, after my third group trip ended with passive-aggressive Instagram filters debates, I said screw it and booked a one-way ticket to Portugal. Best. Decision. Ever.
Let’s get raw: The first 24 hours were pure chaos. My hostel roommate snored like a chainsaw choir 🪓, I got lost in Alfama’s maze-like streets (Google Maps? More like Google Crap), and I accidentally ordered tripe stew thinking it was potato salad 🤢. But here’s the magic – surviving that hot mess made me feel like freaking Wonder Woman.
Science backs this up! A 2022 Journal of Personality study found solo travelers develop 43% stronger problem-solving skills than group travelers. Translation: When there’s nobody to whine to about the 2AM hostel fire drill, you become MacGyver in leggings.
The real glow-up happened during a spontaneous hike in Sintra. Picture this: golden hour over Moorish castles, my sweaty hair in a messy bun, eating pasteis de nata crumbs from my backpack. No “let’s get the perfect shot” pressure, no compromising on sunset viewpoints. Just me, my questionable navigational skills, and the kind of soul-stretching freedom that makes you want to write poetry (or at least a really good Twitter thread).
But here’s the tea ☕ – solo travel isn’t all zen moments and Instagramable breakfast spreads. That time I cried in a Barcelona laundromat because my only clean outfit was inside a broken dryer? Peak vulnerability. Yet that’s where the magic happens. Brené Brown was right – embracing discomfort is where we grow.
My pro tips after 9 countries solo:
1) Stay at female-only dorms (shoutout to the Italian goddess who taught me how to curse in 5 languages after my luggage got lost ✨)
2) Carry a portable door lock – $12 Amazon buys peace of mind
3) Pretend you’re a food critic when dining alone. Bonus: Waiters often upgrade your wine pour 😉
The biggest lesson? Solitude ≠ loneliness. There’s power in choosing yourself. That moment in Budapest’s ruin bars when I realized I could chat up strangers from four continents in one night? That’s the confidence boost no relationship, job promotion, or therapy session ever gave me.
Would I go back to group trips? Sure – but now I know my worth isn’t tied to being someone’s plus-one. Solo travel taught me to romanticize my own damn company. Next stop: Bali. And yes, I’ll probably still get lost daily. 🌴