Why I Started Solo Traveling
How I decided to leave everything behind to travel
The Myth of the Big Moment
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment I decided to start solo traveling. When I was young, I often traveled as an unaccompanied minor to visit family around the world. For most of my life, travel meant visiting family or going on trips with family. Everything was planned for me — I just showed up.
That was until 2023, when I left home to study abroad in Spain. Even then, my university had helped me find an apartment and organizing everything, so it didn’t feel truly “solo.” My first actual solo trip — planned by me, for me — was a short one to Lisbon, Portugal. Just three days. I don’t often think of this as the “moment” — but maybe I should.
It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment I decided to start solo traveling. When I was young, I often traveled as an unaccompanied minor to visit family around the world. For most of my life, travel meant visiting family or going on trips with family. Everything was planned for me — I just showed up.
That was until 2023, when I left home to study abroad in Spain. Even then, my university had helped me find an apartment and organizing everything, so it didn’t feel truly “solo.” My first actual solo trip — planned by me, for me — was a short one to Lisbon, Portugal. Just three days. I don’t often think of this as the “moment” — but maybe I should.
Love, Travel, and the Turning Point
During my first week in Spain I met a man who had a big influence on my travel journey — a photographer called Ronan. He became my first travel partner and my person. We explored Portugal, Greece, Turkey, and Hungary together. I even visited him in Germany and he visited me in Spain. He was the perfect travel partner (and my own personal travel photographer) — and when it ended, it shattered me.
Although I won’t share any photos of him to protect his privacy, I will share some of the photos he took of me while traveling together
By June 2023, I was in Africa doing voluntourism (more on that later). I visited him one last time on my way back home. Although, when I got back home I already felt him pulling away. We still spoke for a few more months.
I tried holding on as long as I could because I didn’t want to lose my perfect travel partner but eventually it was made abundantly clear that I would never see him again. I was devastated.
By June 2023, I was in Africa doing voluntourism (more on that later). I visited him one last time on my way back home. Although, when I got back home I already felt him pulling away. We still spoke for a few more months. I tried holding on as long as I could because I didn’t want to lose my perfect travel partner but eventually it was made abundantly clear that I would never see him again. I was devastated.
At that point I had fallen in love with travel itself. But I realized I had become dependent on him for it — as if I couldn’t go anywhere without him. I’ll be honest — traveling with a man made me feel safer. But I knew I couldn’t let that stop me. That’s what Thailand was to me.
Thailand had always been a dream. I was so determined to go with Ronan, or at least a friend, but no one followed through. I don’t know when it happened exactly, but sometime in the fall I thought, “Screw it, I’ll just go alone.” There was something inside me telling me I had to go to Thailand — something was waiting for me there. Check out my guide here.
The Leap
I booked a one-month trip to Thailand, planning to leave in January 2024. My job at the time was draining me. I almost quit in December, but my manager told me to go on my trip and decide afterward.
While I was in Thailand, she quit and I realized I didn’t want to go back either. I had enough saved, so I emailed my boss and told her I wasn’t coming home. I canceled my return flight — and booked one to Vietnam instead.
It was terrifying. But it also felt right. I felt like I had taken control of my life and could now craft it into one I loved. I wanted to pursue adventure and excitement. I wanted to jump into the unknown.
While I was in Thailand, she quit and I realized I didn’t want to go back either. I had enough saved, so I emailed my boss and told her I wasn’t coming home. I canceled my return flight — and booked one to Vietnam instead.
It was terrifying. But it also felt right. I felt like I had taken control of my life and could now craft it into one I loved. I wanted to pursue adventure and excitement. I wanted to jump into the unknown.
How Travel Changed Me
Before solo travel, my life was mapped out. I would take a gap year, head to Medical school, and become the surgeon my family wanted me to be.
Now? I want to live a life that makes me happy. I love the outdoors. I love discovering new cultures and trying new foods (I can’t emphasize enough how much I love food). I no longer wanted to spend my life indoors, stressed out. Maybe it’s selfish, but life is short. I want to prioritize myself and my own wellbeing instead of trading it to help others. Now, I still want to help people — but in a different way: by inspiring them to build a life that feels worth living.
What I’ve Learned Through Travel
Each place taught me something different:
- Europe showed me travel isn’t as scary as it seems. Even when things go wrong, I’ll figure it out. I trust myself now.
- Africa made me aware of everything I take for granted, of how incredibly privileged I am.
- Thailand taught me to stop waiting for others, to take the leap.
- Vietnam taught me to stop chasing people who won’t catch me. Your energy is sacred — don’t waste it on people who are not worth it.
Each country is its own world — its people, culture, and nature all push you to confront new sides of yourself. And hopefully shape you into the version of yourself you’re meant to be — not just for others, but for you.
Travel taught me to stop caring what people think. I’ve been judged, misunderstood, doubted. But I’ve also been supported and encouraged. That’s what matters.
Each country is its own world — its people, culture, and nature all push you to confront new sides of yourself. And hopefully shape you into the version of yourself you’re meant to be — not just for others, but for you.
Travel taught me to stop caring what people think. I’ve been judged, misunderstood, doubted. But I’ve also been supported and encouraged. That’s what matters.
A Message for You
It’s okay to be scared. Even I was terrified. I’ve cried in airports. I’ve questioned everything. But fear means that something exciting is about to happen. So just go. You’ll fall in love with the journey, and I promise, you’ll already be planning your next trip before your first one is even over.
And if you need someone to help — I’m here. To plan, to push, to show you it’s possible.