Honestly, I never really had a plan – I just wanted to see the world. So I did. Solo travel just happened. I won’t give you a step-by-step guide because, well… I never had one. I never really thought about it until people started asking me questions like “Don’t you get bored?” Oh, you can! But it is up to you to make your experience a fantastic moment!
You’ll meet incredible people from all walks of life, whether you plan to or not; and this will change you and how you perceive the world. You’ll have to talk to people regardless, whether it is the waiters, bus drivers, strike up conversations with strangers without even realizing it. Solo travel pushes you out of your comfort zone – and that’s where the best stories begin.
And if you’re thinking, But I’m too shy to talk to people! Trust me, I get it. I used to think the same. But take it from a former shy kid – you absolutely can! And well, strangers won’t give you a choice anyway, people WILL come to you, even if it is just to ask if you are lost!
Let’s rewind – how did I get there?
After graduation, I moved to the South of France, but it just didn’t feel right being there. I wasn’t sure what I wanted, really, so I started looking up where I could go to escape my reality.
For my first move overseas, I didn’t go too far – I chose the neighbours. I became a nanny in London for a family with two kids in Hampstead. Not a bad setup for my first time living in a different country.
I loved my time in London, I stayed for about six months, studied to improve my English, met many people. My experience with the family? Let’s just say it wasn’t the best – but it was a great learning experience. I came back home with a newfound appreciation for my mom’s parenting skills.
After that, I went back to school to study – yep, you guessed it – Hospitality & Tourism! At the same time, I also enrolled in the French Navy. Yep, I really did. My plan? To serve on one of the ships. But that didn’t quite go as expected… Turns out, the waiting list for a woman to get assigned to a ship at the time was 10 years.
Anyway, life went on, I made new friends, found jobs in tourism, and started traveling and going to events on my own. It kind of flowed naturally. I realized I actually enjoyed doing things solo – not waiting after anyone, it’s just freeing.
One day, as I often do, I was browsing new destinations when I stumbled upon Mexico. And then – boom – Whale Shark season was coming up! A dream about to come true. No questions, no second thoughts – act now, think later. I booked it! I was beyond excited, and it didn’t even cross my mind to ask if anyone wanted to join. I was 20 years old and about to live one of my dreams!
Of course, I got all the usual concerns and worries from people around me – even my mum! So, to put everyone at ease, I booked a resort. In the end, I was only there to sleep, but hey, at least it reassured them. Truth be told, I had zero interest in staying at a resort. I came to explore the country, meet the locals, and eat real food! The staff kept seeing me come and go and eventually asked why I even bothered booking a resort.
I had a blast there and even went back the same year – this time with my mum, since it had always been one of her dreams. Plus, it was around Christmas, so… perfect gift!
Over the years, I went back to London many times for weekend getaways. One of the best things about Europe? You can hop from one country to another easily and cheaply. So I did – a little bit. I visited Germany, Spain, Andorra, Portugal… but I wanted to go further. Stay longer. And that’s how I went WILD
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” – Lao Tzu
So, why should you?
I’m telling you – this freedom is addictive. No more waiting on anyone to make plans. Solo travel has become a lifestyle for me. It’s not just something I do – it’s who I am. And honestly? I try to convince everyone I meet who hasn’t travelled solo to give it a shot, even just once. You won’t regret it!
That’s exactly why I’m writing this post first – because I hear it all the time. People cancel trips because someone bailed. Plans fall apart because nobody in the group chat is actually making moves to book the damn trip.
If you keep waiting for others to join you – whether it’s for a trip, an event, or that restaurant you’ve been dying to try – you’ll be waiting a long time. And life is way too short to miss out on amazing experiences.
I get it – traveling somewhere foreign alone can feel unsettling. With all the news we hear, the “what ifs” start creeping in. What if something happens? What if I miss my flight? What if I get bored? What if I have no one to share the memories with?
These are all common concerns, but you know what’s worse? A missed opportunity. The regret of not ticking off that bucket list destination when you had the chance.
Dangers exist everywhere, but just like you’re cautious at home, you can be cautious abroad. Why should that stop you from exploring?
You don’t have to take the road less travelled – the well-travelled paths are just as incredible. Start there. Get comfortable. Gain confidence. And who knows? As you experience new places and new ways of traveling, you might just find yourself craving more – ready to explore beyond the beaten path!
You’ll get addicted to this freedom – to discovering what you’re capable of on your own, to truly getting to know yourself. And honestly? You might even forget to invite your friends on your next trip.
But trust me, they’ll notice. They’ll envy your adventures. And suddenly, they’ll be the ones making the effort to finally plan that trip you’ve all been talking about for way too long.
One thing I’ll say: don’t let people project their fears onto you.
Another thing you might not expect? How attractive it looks on a resume! The skills you develop and demonstrate while traveling aren’t the kind you can pick up sitting in a classroom.
Soft skills like communication, adaptability, flexibility, problem-solving, budgeting, and organizational skills – these are all things you master when you take on the world on your own.
You never know who you’re going to meet or who’s going to lend a hand, help you land a job, or offer you an incredible opportunity!
Hell, I’ve been to some of the best parties with total strangers – hopping on a bar bus around the Cook Islands, going to festivals in Australia and Canada, attending private parties in New Zealand. But the real kicker? I got offered a job as a Client Relationship Manager at a Wealth Management Company in Australia.
How? I met a girl who became my best friend and completely changed my life in many ways. She introduced me to a great man who wasn’t initially supposed to hire me – but he did. And I ended up working there for almost six years!
I met the most amazing and loving family in New Zealand. They welcomed me with open arms, offering me both a home and a job at their family-owned café. They became my second family, away from home.
In fact, my mum and my new Kiwi mum even met in France! How magical is that? The bonds you create with total strangers are incredible.
I shared Christmas dinners and New Year’s Eve parties with people I can’t even remember – but we had one thing in common: a love for adventure and exploring this beautiful world!
Embrace the Adventure: Why Solo Travel Is Worth It
In the end, the experiences I’ve shared – both the wild and the beautiful – have shown me one undeniable truth: the world is full of unexpected opportunities, amazing people, and life-changing moments.
Solo travel isn’t just about ticking off places on a map; it’s about discovering who you are, connecting with others, and realizing that the best memories are often made when you step out of your comfort zone.
So, if you’re hesitating, remember this: the world is waiting for you, and you’re capable of so much more than you realize. Don’t wait for others to join you – take that step, follow your dreams, and embrace the freedom.
You’ll never regret it.