Five Things Solo Travel Teaches You💚

As women, we are put into cages from a young age. Society tells us what is expected from us, how to behave, think, and what we should do with our lives before we even know who we are. We are filled with fears, encouraged to limit our experiences, passions, and desire to explore the world because the unknown may seem dangerous.

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Before starting my journey, I had given up on my dream: traveling.  I was too intimidated to be away from my comfort zone and too frightened of the unfamiliar. I found myself just existing, limiting myself to ensure that anything negative could happen to me. 👉 This all changed when covid first started. I realized that up until then, I had never done something memorable with my life. I realized being alive, healthy, and having the right to do outdoor activities are privileges. I promised myself I would never again take anything for granted.

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I booked my first solo trip to the other side of the world. I left my country (Colombia) and moved to France in a month! It has been over a year since I made the best decision of my life. I have become wiser, more independent, stronger, and happier.😊 That’s why I want to share five things this experience has taught me since I consider them great encouragement if you have second thoughts about taking this step.

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1️. Responsibility: From planning a whole trip on your own, being financially in charge, to surviving in a foreign country/city, solo traveling speeds up your capacity to be accountable✨ and make the most appropriate decisions to fulfill your purpose of traveling safely.

2️. Independence: You have the opportunity to plan your trip to please yourself. you can focus on the activities you love and enjoy some time alone! You get the chance to reinvent yourself as a person.🙂Being away from everything you know and the things that are socially dictated, you get this new given sense of freedom. You can focus on your happiness, building your own identity, and your world-conception.

3️. Adaptability: Finding yourself away from your culture, your support system, your language, and your traditions can be unsettling and scary. Don't worry! As human beings, we have the survival instinct which rescues us in situations like this. As foreigners, the best travel experience can be achieved through cultural immersion. 🌸The best thing to do is not to impose our habits and customs but to let ourselves be embraced by the new world that is being offered to us.

4️. Perspective: Every place you visit gives you the possibility to understand the world through a different conception. You realize that there are no absolute truths.🙂 You begin to be more empathetic, open, and willing to learn from others.

5️. Self-esteem: Self-esteem: your self-love, courage, and confidence grow in an inexplicable way when you realize that you can be self-sufficient, overcome every challenge that comes your way, and that even if you find yourself in intimidating situations, you can succeed. 🌈Traveling alone allows you to leave your fears and insecurities aside and see your true self.

Every woman should try solo traveling because the world has so much richness to offer; beautiful places to visit; lovely people to meet. Traveling it's the perfect opportunity to reinvent yourself, find who you want to be, and get to know your full potential. Be free.

From Maria Bello, Colombia 💗

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