This time last year, I went on my first big solo trip — bopping between Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Paris, and Strasbourg. It was shortly after my long-term relationship had ended, and it was my first taste of an ~Eat, Pray, Love-esque~ trip. And while that’s certainly cliché, it was everything that I needed in the moment to recalibrate and find my footing independently after such a significant lifestyle change. Now, a year later, I’m about to embark on my next trip: three weeks in Denmark and Italy.
The therapeutic potential of solo travel:
I strongly believe that everyone should solo-travel in their lifetime. I won’t spend too much time trying to convince you of why you should, but if I were, these would be my main talking points:
The most obvious is that you can spend your time however you’d like, without any outside influence, which is quite freeing.
Another obvious one is that it pushes you to try new things without the comfort and security of a companion, which can have a profound impact on building self-confidence.
Being in new environments and often without the shackles of typical mind-numbing responsibilities (i.e., work) is an incredible catalyst for expanded creativity. On my last trip, I spent the majority of my time writing, drawing, reading, editing, and musing – and because of that, I came back feeling more centered and creatively charged.
Having undivided time with yourself is also an incredible catalyst for deeper introspection. Being alone with only your thoughts for days on end can stir up emotions that you didn’t realize were there — and while that may seem agonizing, like most things, the only way out is through, and that’s on growth!
Ok, I’m stepping off the soapbox now.
If the above somehow convinced you to plan a solo trip (and honestly, I hope that it did), here is my little list of the things I like to do when planning a trip:
step 1: map it out
Despite clamoring to be a ~chill girl~ for most of my life, I’ve reconciled with the fact that I’m a planner through and through — and honestly, I’ve grown to love this personality trait of mine.
Throughout the year, whenever I see recommendations for places I’m keen to visit on Instagram + TikTok, I save them in a travel folder. Then, when planning a trip, I’ll comb through those folders and save anything relevant in Google Maps. I’ll also search “things to do in [insert place here]” on Pinterest and read through some good old-fashioned travel blogs. Yes, most of them will be from the travel-influencer era circa 2018, but they’ll often highlight the must-see attractions. Then, I’ll do the same search on TikTok. After that, I’ll track down some more curated additions using the app Step (shoutout to my friend Dawn for the introduction), and of course, consult friends for their juicy recs. Again, saving everything interesting in Google Maps.
Once the research phase is over, I’ll look at my Google Maps and bucket everything into “day itineraries” based on location, and plug it into my trusty travel template so it’s all digestible. The nice thing is, you can easily switch around your “day itineraries” depending on the weather, how you’re feeling that day, etc.
Luckily, I also have an international phone plan, so I can make impromptu additions when needed (ie, searching “vegan treats near me” if a hankering strikes).
step 2: set some good ol’ intentions
Yes, this might seem a tad woo-woo or overkill, but girls will be girls! I write a list of items to focus on throughout the trip (ie, journaling daily, creating travel diaries, etc), and I make moodboards ahead of time to set the tone I want to cultivate (really, this is just fun for me).
In case you were curious, here is my moodboard for the Copenhagen portion of my trip:
…and for the Italian coastal part:
…and finally, the Italian metropolitan part:
step 3: prep to be alone, not lonely
Truth be told, I haven’t fully cracked this one yet. As someone who sinks into melancholiness when I’m alone for extended periods, solo traveling can be nightmarish at times. That said, here are some things that usually help me stay grounded, entertained, and well, sound of mind.
Carry your book and journal at all times
Work on a creative project (as aforementioned, I like making little travel diary videos and momento collages in my journal)
Do the New York Times daily crossword (it’s a fun activity when dining alone)
Save a show to watch on your trip for the chiller evenings
Limit social media (the last thing you should do when you’re feeling blue is look at highlight reels of other people’s lives, so it’s best to limit your time on socials).
Phone a friend! Never underestimate the power of FaceTiming your friends and family to pull you out of a funk.
some other miscellaneous tips:
Only pack what you need to eliminate schlepping a ton of sh*t around. You won’t have anyone else to carry your things, and let’s be honest, you usually end up only wearing half of the things you pack anyway. I focus on packing versatile and neutral pieces, which typically looks something like: a good pair of denim, shorts, a white maxi skirt, a sundress or two, my ancient OV skort that has stood the test of time, a swimsuit, some flowy white tops, a handful of white/black tees/tanks, flip flops, a solid walking shoe, a tote bag, a nicer purse, and then some fun accessories like banadanas, a pearl necklace, and sunnies to jazz it up from day-to-day. Plus, of course, I bring the necessary bits & bobs to work remotely and keep myself entertained.
I refuse to check a bag because god forbid the airline loses it (the anxious girlies will understand). The Patagonia 40L Black Hole has been my ride-or-die carry-on for years, and I recommend it to everyone. I also love using the Baggu Cloud Bag as my personal item. It’s inconspicuously big, so it can also feel like a black hole at times.
I’m officially a packing cubes advocate — they really do make a difference for keeping things neat & tidy. I use the Baggu Packaging Cubes and their Go Pouches (Baggu, if you’d like to sponsor me, my door is open).
Whenever possible, I try to find accommodations with a terrace or some outdoor space, so if I don’t feel comfy walking around alone at night, I can have a delish dinner at home with a glass of wine on the terrace. Stunning.
Order foreign currency ahead of time through your bank so you have some cash upon arrival, versus getting swindled at the airport.
Download your playlists, shows, and maps for when you don’t have WiFi.
Get a portable phone charger.
Research how to get from the airport to your destination beforehand so you’re not scrambling.
Research the tipping culture before you go.
Sign up for group tours (GetYourGuide has a bunch) as an easy way of meeting other people.
Learn some common phrases in the native language (ie, hello, thank you, can I please have a cappuccino with soy milk, etc).
Don’t be shy! Ask for help when you need it, chat with strangers, or who knows, maybe fall in love.
If you made it to the end of this, I’m thoroughly impressed and ilysm. I’ll see you again soon for my August favorites. Bisous xo!
Inspired, as always! Love this so much