Here’s the first thing I learned about traveling solo. When you decide to do it most people WILL think you’re crazy. But I had to learn to take the comments and concerns with a grain of salt and do what was best for me. I couldn’t let others\’ uncertainties stop me from something I knew I have wanted to do my entire life. I also wasn’t going to wait until I was retired to do all this traveling. That just didn’t make sense to me to spend my whole life waiting. I knew if I didn’t do it now it was something I would regret.
I have learned to accept that the opinions of others with discernment. Sometimes it helped to listen to my family friends. Other times, you had to do what was best for me and that was okay! When it comes down to it no one has to live your life but you, so why not create the life you have always wanted?
You will get homesick
I will not sugar coat this, there were times I would think I was making a huge mistake and just wanted to pack up and back home. This really had more to do with my fear of the unknown and just wanting to go but to a sense of comfort that I was used to. There are days where I am lonely, I miss my friends and family, and I truly wish I was able to be with them. But, I know that if I did go back home I wouldn’t be happy going back to my corporate job and having no time to travel anymore. I will say you do have to have a certain level of independence to solo travel. If you are someone that loves being with their family all the time and couldn’t see yourself being apart from them for long periods, solo travel may be more difficult (not impossible though).
You will be questioned by family and friends
I remember the day I told my family and friends that I was quitting my stable 9-5 corporate job. The amount of “Huh?” and “Are you sure?” comments I got were endless. No one understood why I was going through something so drastic. But the fact was I was truly unhappy at work, I was suffering from anxiety, depression, stress, fatigue, high blood pressure, weight gain, and the list just goes on. I was also struggling financially with bills (even though I had a full-time job in the Bay area).
The final straw was when I was kicked out of my place and I had to sleep on my friend\’s couches until I figured out where I was going to stay. I remember the day vividly. I was sitting at my cubicle staring into the abyss, pretending I was doing work on my computer, and I just took a deep sigh. I then just asked myself: “Ashlyn, what are you doing? This isn’t how you want to live!” It was true. I was living a life that everyone was telling me I “should” live and not the life I wanted. So, I got up from my desk and went to talk to one of my managers and straight up told her I was quitting today. It was a really sad day saying goodbye to all my amazing coworkers. They were so supportive of me and my decision. Helping me pack up and I remember crying the whole way to my car with all my stuff in the back (I was literally living out of my car) about to drive back to my hometown in Florida and figure out what in the world I was going to do with my life!
At first, I thought I would go back to school and get my degree in computer science. But, that was way too expensive. Then, I decided to do some freelance work as a blog writer. This was something I really enjoyed doing, but the pay was not enough to live off of. I really had no idea what I was doing. I was 27, broke, living with my parents in Ocala, FL, and had no plan of what I wanted to do with my life.
Until one day, I was on YouTube and was watching a video of Stephanie Perry’s who was talking to a lady who made money doing seasonal hospitality work. I was hooked the whole video! I found both of them on Instagram and DM’d Chelle, thanking her for all the information I learned on that video. It was so enlightening and everything I wanted to do with my life. So, I went ahead and applied to all the seasonal jobs I could find that provided housing. I didn’t think I was going to get an answer back too fast but I ended hearing from a company that was based in Lake Powell, UT. They were looking for someone to work in their retail store. Since I had the experience and REALLY wanted to take this opportunity I accepted! When I told my family of this new opportunity I got the same “Huh?” and “Are you sure?” comments. I knew it didn’t make sense, but, at the time it was something that I knew if I didn’t at least try it I would regret it.
Fast forward almost two years later I have been able to travel for work to Lake Powell, Colorado, and Alaska. Also, I have taken vacations to Hawaii, London, and Italy. The money I save with doing seasonal work has been such a huge benefit since I don’t have to pay nearly as much for rent as I did in California. So, the money I make I use to travel the world!
With all I went through, the decision to quit my job and start traveling was worth it. But, as I said, no one is going to understand what you’re doing at first. This is why you have to follow your heart/gut on if it’s really for you.
Now, my family and friends are super accepting. Now the questions I get from them are “How are you doing all this traveling!?” and “Where in the world are you now, Ashlyn?”
You will be forced to become a minimalist
That song “Bag Lady” by Erykah Badu always comes into my head every time I have to start packing again for my next adventure. Packing has become my biggest hassle for sure when it comes to traveling. Trying to fit my whole life into two suitcases and a carry-on bag has become such a routine for me that now I can do it with ease. But, when I first started I had the hardest time trying to decide what to bring and what not to bring. I am a classic “what-if I need this” type of packer for trips. I don’t want to leave something behind at home that I will regret not having on my trips. Also, I was ALWAYS buying new cute clothes that I want to wear abroad. It took me a few fails to learn how to pack but it has gotten better.
I have so many tips about packing that it could be its own post (stay tuned for that one) but I will list a couple here:
- The fewer liquids the better: I can’t stress this enough. The number of lotions, creams, shampoos, etc that have burst in my bag after a flight has been endless! I truly only bring these types of toiletries that I know I can’t get anywhere but at home. Everything else I buy when I get to my destination or will get some travel-sized bottles to bring them with me. My suitcase also has a wet clothes compartment that has been a lifesaver! I use that for all my liquids and if there is a mess to clean it is so much easier to wipe down than a normal cloth suitcase.
- Invest in space bags: I was told this by a few of my travel buddies. If you love clothes like me space bags are the way to go! I would recommend the space bags with a hand pump that is already included. It can be tricky sometimes to find a vacuum while you’re traveling.
I can honestly say I used to hate when I would have to pack up my stuff, but, with all the tips I have learned over the year, it has become so much better to pack up and jet!
I remember reading this amazing quote:
“The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experiences.”
-Mark Patterson
I can’t agree with this more! After over a year of travel, I have learned so much about other cultures, people, and even myself that I could never have learned staying at my past jobs or schools. I hope this has inspired you to travel a little more in the upcoming years. I promise you, if you do, you won’t regret it!