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20 Takeaways from Solo Traveling 20 Countries /
At 25, all I could think about was travel.
I was working a job I didn’t love to stay in a city I did (San Francisco), but with each passing day, I was more restless.
“I’m not getting any younger,” I thought. “I can do this” - as I clicked confirm and booked that first solo flight abroad: to Aruba through Panama City.
Yes, I could do this.
And what was meant to be a 4 month hiatus, quickly turned into 6 years, as travel became my career.
There is nothing quite like waking up in a foreign place, solo. There is a sense of freedom in it that I’m not sure exists elsewhere.
A sense of the deepest understanding of possibility.
Of ownership.
Free from routine or any external influence - every moment, is yours to create.
From a beautiful season, here are a few things I learned that shape how I navigate the world today:
Time is our most valuable resource - Every day we have on this earth has 24 hours. How to spend them is up to us. Some days are fast, some days are slow, some we’ll remember for a lifetime, and some are equally important to invest in rest. I recommend experimenting in all the ways you can, to find your personal, optimal flow of how to best enjoy your time, as soon as possible. Every day thereafter will be more full.
Depth > breadth - Getting to know the local restauranteurs, barista, farmer’s markets, and neighborhood streets is always more memorable than rushing to “the sights”. Our standard 2 weeks of vacation a year in the U.S. is a total sham. Richness of all experience deepens with time.
Off-peak is the best time for everything - Lines, crowds, and peak pricing, by their nature, are in direct opposition to the optimal investment of time. With the exception of special events, I aim to do as much as I can in this life (commutes, groceries, bank runs, etc.) off-peak.
We are all human - The more time spent with this observation, the deeper it sits. We're a collective unit, us humans, trampling around here on earth. All with bodies, emotions, hopes, heartbreaks and dreams. Every system we’ve created to “separate" ourselves is a facade. Currently, COVID is politely reminding us of this.
Begin again - Getting back from your hike after the last bus out of a Japanese volcano town has departed and trekking down the highway in the dark until you reach an open hotel to mime your way through asking for help to get a cab is a real emotional roller coaster. But tomorrow, the sun will rise, and we get to begin again. Every day, every moment, for as long as we live. There is extreme power in remembering this about life.
The nervous system thrives on routine - When I first got on the road, my schedule was all over - and my digestion, sleep cycles, and energy levels took the hit. To build routine, I bought a ceramic mug for my carry-on, to drink water from first thing when I woke up. For 6 months, through a dozen+ cities, this mug was my sense of “home.” It was indescribably comforting at the time. We deserve so more comfort than one mug has to offer, but small changes make a big difference!
Cities are cities - Noticing the systematic structure of one thing (in my case, cities: transit, layout, key public services, etc.) is a strong foundation in noticing the systematic structure of mostly everything. Observing cities profoundly impacted my observation of growth systems which impacts how my observations of holistic nutrition and wellness. Everything is interconnected. The details created by locals - through art, architecture, food cultures, entertainment, etc. - is what makes cities uniquely vibrant and wonderful.
You are your most important relationship - We will each spend every moment for the rest of our lives inside of our own body, spirit and mind. May as well enjoy it! It is cliche because it’s true - the more we love ourselves, the more we love we have to share. Solo travel is a fast track to getting to intimately know, understand, embrace, and love, all parts of thy self.
Community is only one step away - That said, other humans are everywhere! If you’re not yet comfortable opening conversations in another language in person (everything with practice), there is an “Expats in ___” group online for all popular destinations. You’ve got options. This is true for everything in life.
Allow time for magic - When the itinerary is packed, serendipity has no chance. Why not welcome it when we can?
We need way less than we think - Baggage is heavy, and you’ll always want to pick up more memories along the way. In most cases, err on the side of underpacking v. overpacking. Remote destinations aside, everything you may need is available.
Experience breeds discernment - Length of trip, type of activities, speed of day, time for rest, etc. all get sharper every time. Also true for everything!
Emotions are universal - Learning foundational words in the language of each country you visit shows respect. Smiling shows connection. Both work wonders.
Shoot your shot - Table with a view? Walk-in for 1 at the world’s #12 restaurant? Upgraded flight/car/hotel room? No problem. Game changer.
Live in the moment - Removing distraction heightens awareness, so the nature of solo travel is inherently: deeper presence. Once the mind has experienced this, it is forever expanded, and can be accessed at anytime. (See also: meditation!)
Always extend the layover - You’re already here. Sieze the day!
24 hours (or less) is better than not at all - Life is fleeting. Enjoy it anyway.
Solo adventures are important; Shared adventures are the best - Freedom is exhilarating. Being able to look back and laugh on shared experience 6 months down the line with someone else is exponentially more meaningful. (And with better photos!)
Be in love as often as possible - Through all the means you have - be in love. With places, the process, with life, with moments, with others, with yourself. All in life and travel is brightest in love.
Most importantly?
Every moment is always yours to create.