Solo Travel or Bust

Solo Travel or Bust: Why Going Alone Might Be the Most Empowering Thing You Ever Do

There comes a moment in every woman’s life when she realizes she has two choices: wait for everyone else to get their schedules, finances, and emotional stability together… or just book the trip for yourself. This is where Solo Travel or Bust is born — not from fearlessness, but from the refusal to put your life on hold for people who can’t commit to brunch, let alone Bali.

Solo travel isn’t just a trend. It’s a movement. A mindset. A declaration that your joy, your growth, and your experiences are too important to delay. And if you’ve ever felt the itch to book a flight alone, consider this your sign to do it.

💛Why Solo Travel Is the Ultimate Power Move

1. You Stop Waiting for Permission

Group chats are where travel plans often go to die. Someone’s broke, someone’s pregnant, someone is waiting to get their work schedule, someone is waiting to see who else confirms first, and someone’s boyfriend suddenly has a lot of opinions.

Solo travel removes the committee. You want to go? You just go. You want to leave tomorrow? Pack the bag. You want to spend three hours in a museum or skip it entirely? Don’t need to check in with anyone.

It’s freedom in its purest form.

2. You Learn What You Actually Like

When you travel with others, you compromise — on food, activities, pace, even sleep schedules. When you travel alone, you discover your real preferences:

• Are you a sunrise hiker or a sleep‑in‑til‑10 girl

• Do you prefer street food or white‑tablecloth dining

• Do you want to sit on a beach and party all day or wake up early for a full day of excursions

• Do you want to wander aimlessly or plan every hour

Solo travel is the equivalent of dating yourself… except you actually get to pick the restaurant.

3. You Become the Main Character

There’s something cinematic about walking through a new city alone with your headphones in. You’re not lonely — you’re mysterious. You’re not lost — you’re exploring. You’re not alone — you’re in your independent‑woman era. You get to write your very own Emily in Paris story, and hopefully it comes with a Gabriel.

Solo travel gives you the kind of confidence that doesn’t come from compliments or validation. It comes from proving to yourself that you can handle anything.

4. You Open Yourself Up to Meeting Locals and other Travelers Alike

I think one of the biggest myths about solo travel is that it’s going to feel lonely. I think many don’t realize just how social solo travel can be. When you’re alone, you naturally become more open, more approachable, and more curious about the people around you. You’re not tucked into a friend group bubble — you’re out in the world, and the world responds.

You might meet another group traveling who takes you in as their own and create a lifelong friendship. You may meet a local bartender at this trendy bar you passed while wanderlusting the streets on your own. Your driver to the hotel may give you this great life advice and you still talk about him today. The possibilities are endless.

5. Unexpected Opportunities Find You More Easily

One of the most underrated parts of solo travel is how many unexpected, serendipitous opportunities show up when you’re not tied to anyone else’s plans. When you’re alone, your schedule is flexible, your energy is open, and the universe seems to slide little surprises your way.

You end up saying yes to things you never would’ve considered at home. One of my favorite travel stories is when I ended up hosting an 8-hour trip to the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland over a very big misunderstanding. I played along and just went with the flow—otherwise I would not have made it on the trip, especially if I had a plus one!

Other examples that may inspire you:

·         A last‑minute invite to a sunset boat ride

·         A cooking class you stumble into because you smelled garlic and followed your instincts

·         A local festival you didn’t know existed

·         A spontaneous day trip with people you met an hour ago

·         A hidden beach a taxi driver insists you “have to see”

·         A job lead, creative idea, or life‑changing conversation that happens because you sat next to the right person

Solo travel teaches you to stay open, curious, and willing to pivot.

💛 The Emotional Benefits No One Talks About

You Build Trust With Yourself

When you navigate a foreign place alone, you learn to rely on your instincts. You make decisions without second‑guessing. You become your own safety net — and that’s powerful.

You Heal Faster

Breakups, burnout, friendship fallouts — solo travel has a way of clearing emotional clutter. There’s something about being far from home that makes everything feel lighter, less permanent, less overwhelming.

You Become Comfortable With Your Own Company

Silence stops feeling scary. Alone stops feeling lonely. You realize you’re actually pretty great to hang out with. This is how you learn to fall in love with yourself.

The Fears Are Real — But So Are the Solutions

“What if something goes wrong”

Things go wrong at home too. The difference is: you’re capable everywhere.

“Won’t I feel awkward eating alone”

Only for the first five minutes. Then you realize no one cares — and you start to enjoy it.

Is it safe?

With research, awareness, and common sense, solo travel can be incredibly safe. Women do it every day. If you’re struggling with this, perhaps try somewhere close first to see how it feels. If you felt comfortable navigating on your own, go somewhere further next time.

The Truth: Solo Travel Changes You

You come home a different person. More confident. More grounded. More aware of what you want and what you deserve.

You stop shrinking yourself. You stop waiting for others. You stop apologizing for wanting more.

Solo travel teaches you that the world is big, life is short, and you are capable of far more than you ever gave yourself credit for.