Time to Go Solo!

Truthfully, finances aren’t the main reason for cancelled or deferred trips. Sometimes it is just our fear of travelling alone, or more specifically, being put in harm's way. Thank you Lifetime Movie Network for making us even more paranoid!

If there is a city or country you’ve always dreamt of visiting… don’t let others’ fear and doubt stop you. Sometimes, the fear is unmerited and other times, comes from a fear of missing out (FOMO). When making travel plans, only speak to those who are also bursting their travelling bubble. Join groups and circles that foster adventure, exploration & healthy risk taking; Ain’t no one got time for being a Golden Girl before their time.

FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY!

"Research removes fear. Preparation removes fear. Separating from things that increase paranoia removes fear."

Research your destination of choice by using reputable sources like governmental sites. These sites will give you a better idea of the quality of life, daily activities for locals, & usually have tourism representatives willing to answer questions. Please stray from social media sources, unless you are part of travel niche groups. After learning about your destination, you’ll feel more confident to make informed choices when it comes to lodging, transportation, and activities.

After you’ve booked your flight, it’s time to narrow down your soon to be temporary home. If you want to make sure you are in a safe, well kept and luxurious place, brand named hotels are a safe bet. If you’re like me and like more of a personal lived-in experience, only view verified Super Host Airbnb's. From my experience, many hotels are actually renting out their rooms via Airbnb to make up for money lost from market competition.

What is your comfort level for travel? Do you need full control? Rent a car and make sure you research parking at your hotel, hostel or AirBnB of choice. Want to travel like the locals? Research public transit and get your pass ahead of time. All about convenience? See what rideshare options are available.

BENEFITS OF TRAVELLING SOLO

Build new relationships: Whether you want to get a vacay bae or just really build multi-city connections, travelling alone opens up the door for sparking conversations with local strangers. This goes without saying… be wise and trust your instincts.

Helps remove other fears: Honestly, during my last trip, although I invited friends to join me, I grew less fearful of many things that I had an innate hesitation to do. New experiences really do open your mind in ways to break the boxes you may have put yourself in.

You can vacation your way with no pressure: I love doing what I want, when I want and how I want when disconnecting from the humdrumness of life. Everyone vacations differently. We all got one of the following friends: sleeping beauty, the top model, the foodie and the adventurer.

• Sleeping beauty’s idea of a vacation is legit resting. Back home, she is overtaxed or overwhelmed with other roles (business, family and sometimes both). She deserves to rest.

• The top model is all about the photo op. “If there is no picture, it did not happen.” Every second, well not every second, is about the optic of vacation. This gives her a sense of true rest and accomplishment.

• The foodie is all about getting into the local cuisine. She mostly cares about restaurants and her food experience. I don’t blame her.

• The adventurer is all about getting out of her mundane routine. Everything she can’t or doesn't do at home, she’ll do while on vacation.

So step away from your crime shows and realize that travelling outside your neighborhood alone is safer than you think. Are you an experience solo traveler? Share your experience in the comments below.