SOLO TRAVEL
Not in a relationship? DON'T SWEAT IT... You can still TRAVEL SOLO!
Want to come on an adventure? The world is a big place and there is a lot to do and see if you are willing to go out and explore. You are a smart, independent woman! So what is holding you back from changing careers, or taking the trip of a lifetime – on your own!
Are you worried about travelling solo because you haven’t met ‘The One?’
Or does it just feel a little reckless to set off on a solo travel adventure when you should be looking for love. After all, if you are in your 30’s, (or approaching 30), you should be married with three kids by now, right?
We all feel the pressure to settle down. But maybe there is a reason why life has taken you down that path yet!
So what if you are not in a relationship… Don’t Sweat It! Stop searching for love and embrace being single. Being single is awesome. I can honestly say had the time of my life doing what I want, when I want!
Although I must admit, flying solo certainly has its challenges too.
Most of my girlfriends are married or in relationships. They still make time to catch up with me (minus their man) whenever we are both free. However, holidays are always the time when I find myself on my own. At first, I let this stop me travelling. I’d spend hours browsing travel brochures and Pinterest. Then think to myself, that looks amazing… but I’d rather experience it with someone! So for years, I put off travelling.
After falling in love for the first time at a very young age, I experienced several long-term relationships.
By my mid-twenties, though, I felt the urge to move on to pursue my personal career ambitions. So I set off to fulfil my travel dreams flying solo!
I have been single now for many years. But I’m so happy that I got over my travel nerves and set off to explore the world flying solo!
I took baby steps at first and did several tours. Actually, I love travelling in tour groups, as I like to see as much as I can in a short space of time! Plus, I love meeting new people along the way! I’m still friends with one of the girls I met on my first ever tour, seven years ago. I also regularly catch up for dinner and drinks with a girl I met on tour. She happened to live in the next suburb to me for several years, which is amazing, as neither of called Melbourne home when we met. I even attended her destination wedding in Bali and she is now one of my closest friends!
Tour groups are also a great way to see the world quickly and easily and whilst I was working a corporate job this took the pressure off the planning process. For most young Australians, setting off on their first trip to Europe, almost feel like a right of passage! Yet, beyond the tour operators that target first-time travellers there are many tour groups that focus on eco-friendly, cultural tours. I love these the most, as they have allowed me to have experiences and learn about things I would never have discovered travelling on my own.
However, I’m now confident enough to just wing it and I enjoy flying solo!
On my last travel adventure, I set off with a fellow Flight Attendant and just my backpack and a return airfare! She had to return to work after the first week of the trip, while I set off on a solo island-hopping adventure. (From which I probably would have never returned if I didn’t need a job to pay my bills!)
I’m open to falling in love and feel ready to find someone to eventually settle down with. Flying solo is fun but I adore children and can’t wait to be a mum! However, each time I’m standing in the middle of a foreign country experiencing a new culture, I understand the reason why my life hasn’t taken me down that path just yet!
Like most women in their thirties, I’m constantly pressured about settling down and this is something that I am looking forward too! But until fate intervenes and I stumble across my soulmate I’m happy to continue exploring this big wide world on my solo travel adventures.
How do you feel about Flying Solo? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave your comments on the DSS social media posts. In this section of the site, I’ll be picking up where Carrie left off and writing a series of posts about how to survive as a single girl in this big wide world! From travelling solo to saving for your next trip, finding love and trying to stay sane, this is a digital advice column for the modern generation of new Millennials!
For more inspiration, follow FLYING SOLO pinterest.com/paula_maree/