Free Your Mind

“After a major downfall in my life, I booked a one-way ticket to Hawaii to get out of my comfort zone. I wanted to face and accept reality as it is, in a place where I could find myself, connect with nature and the locals of course. I spent endless hours at mountain summits that I hiked, snorkeled for as long as I wanted, and laid by the beach as I reflected upon my circumstances. After two weeks of solo travel, I came back with a fresh mindset, and realized it wasn’t the end of the world,”  said Mayeesha, a student at Rutgers University, who often travels solo. 

Traveling solo means you don’t have to worry about others. You get to focus on yourself only, and even though our society stereotypes it as being selfish, it doesn’t matter, because, at the end of the day, you and your mental health are what matter. So girl, tie your shoelaces, go explore the world, and get all that stress off your mind!

Embrace Your Personal Freedom Without Being Judged

When you travel solo, you can do whatever your heart desires, without the judgmental eyes of society following you. You’re away from home, and no one really knows you, so it doesn’t matter what they think. You'll most likely never see them again. 

If you wanna sleep in and enjoy room service, you can. If you wanna sit by the pool being lazy, who’s to judge? Eat, drink and do whatever you want! You’re your own boss.

When you’re on a budget, it can be embarrassing sometimes to admit to your companion that something is expensive for you. If you travel solo, you don’t have to spend on things you don’t want to, to make others happy.

When you travel solo as a woman, for a few days, you don’t have to fit into the nurturing role. You only get to take care of yourself, and you can take a break from all social expectations.

One of the best parts about traveling solo is flexibility!  You can decide your own schedule to see which sites you want to see and for how long you want to see them. 

Get a Confidence Boost

“ I was in an abusive, controlling relationship for years. I was dependent on my ex, and every decision of my life was made by him- from what I wear to what I can and cannot do. I had no confidence. I felt fragile and helpless. I finally broke free from the relationship and decided to go away on a trip by myself, to escape from all the memories surrounding me. The moment I decided on my destination and paid for my flight tickets by myself, I started to feel like my old self. I have to admit, it was very lonely at first. But then I started exploring. I sat by the beach and I watched the sunset alone. I didn’t have a man beside me, and that is when I realized that you can experience the little joys of life without needing someone by your side. I explored different cities, met new people, dressed up and I started feeling attractive again. I wasn’t so fragile anymore. I was my old, confident, carefree self once again. The more I explored, the more I loved myself, and the uglier my ex got in my head,” said Linda, who recently divorced her husband of 7 years.  

Once you realize you have made it to a destination by yourself, you’ll realize how independent and capable you happen to be, which will boost your confidence. You are responsible for planning, paying, organizing and pulling off a successful trip, and once you’re able to do that, you realize your abilities. You learn to rely on and trust yourself and know that it is you who makes your own decisions, no one else. The best part to reflect on? You did it ALONE!  

A thousand questions concerning our safety pop up in our minds and in the minds of our loved ones when we think of traveling solo, but should that really hold women back from experiencing the world?  Short answer, no, it should not. So, ladies, why hold back? You’re enough for yourself. Go ahead and explore!