The Independence I Didn't Expect
Though I love support, I know I can take care of myself. I started traveling solo for work when I was in my 20s, and the only obstacles I faced were my fear of flying and missing my kiddos, but there was never a doubt in my mind that I could handle it. Knowing I can take care of myself doesn’t mean I’m never scared.
When I first thought of traveling to Asia by myself, I felt about 50% fear and 50% excitement. Let’s throw some guilt in there too. That mix of emotions made me hesitate. But solo travel means giving yourself permission: permission to spend the money, take the time, leave the usual responsibilities, and want something that is just yours.
I love traveling with my family, and I often wish they could see what I’m seeing, but solo travel (while meeting people along the way) gives me a kind of freedom I didn’t fully understand until I experienced it. Maybe it’s because I love breakfast so much, but there is something about waking up and knowing I could have breakfast whenever I wanted. No worries about whether someone else was ready or awake or waiting on me, and that sense of freedom carried through to everything.
The Kind of Freedom You Can Only Experience
Since my trip, several women have told me they would love to do the same but feel nervous because Asia feels so far away and unfamiliar or because they feel unsure about being away from home for that long. I understand that completely because travel can be daunting when you’re thinking about being able to read signs, order food, or find the right train platform.
What I loved about my trip is that I didn’t wait for the conditions to be perfect, and not everything turned out perfectly. But the sense of independence and accomplishment I feel now is completely unexpected. I wasn’t lacking independence before, but now I feel it radiating out of me.
I love the places I’ve visited in Asia, and I’ve been working on what it could look like to share them with women who want the freedom of solo travel with a little more support built in.
More to come…
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Reflection Question: In the meantime, what has stopped you from traveling to Asia solo?
✨ If this spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe to my blog or connect with me on LinkedIn. And if you’ve been dreaming about traveling solo but want a little more confidence, support, and community along the way, I think you’re going to love what I’ve been working on.
