thoughts on solo travel
It's been almost 4 weeks since my last trip, which was a mix of business and pleasure, so here are my thoughts on solo travel as a remote worker
I miss my lil fam while I'm away
My fam includes Nick (my boyfriend of 6 1/2 years), my sweet baby Willow (our kitty), and Loti (our pup)!
I miss them so so so much while I'm away.
I'm also an independent bitch who don't need no one.
Like, I adore my autonomy and independence and don't much like people telling me where to be or when to be there.
But when I'm away, my independence feels shaky. I feel unstable the first few days of travel if I'm doing it alone because I've left my support system behind.
However, it's a great reminder to myself that I am my own support system. I have all the tools and tricks I need to handle any obstacle that comes my way — physical, mental, and emotional.
Traveling by myself shows me what I'm capable of
Like I said before, solo travel shows me my true colors.
It shows me that I am capable of handling anything that happens to me — from figuring out the MegaBus and navigating NJ Transit to finding coffee shops in NYC that have Wi-Fi that ~actually~ works and meeting up IRL with people I've worked remotely with for almost 2 years but have never met in person.
Those are some pretty hefty things to navigate and maneuver alone (I hear the NJ Transit is a beast on its own).
And especially when you're in a new place.
It's a nice reminder that while I prefer the company of my partner on my travels, I am capable and able to do it on my own.
Working in a new environment can be distracting
This is what I found to be true in NYC.
Usually, it re-energizes me... but not this trip.
And that may happen to you too. The trick is to not panic (like I did).
Practice time management and give yourself MORE time than usual when you're traveling and working remotely.
For instance, I thought I'd be able to get work done on my 4-hour bus ride.
Unluckily, the Wi-Fi was out and ya girl hasn't invested in a hot spot yet. So guess who sat there like a dumbass twiddling her thumbs waiting to get into the city to work out of a cafe?
This lady 🙋🏻
However, with a bit more time management BEFORE the trip, I would have been much more relaxed.
Learn from my mistakes, please!
Expectation vs. reality is a real thing
When I first started freelancing, I imagined traveling for months at a time going to places I have only dreamed of... all while working remotely from my laptop.
In reality, freelancing has been setting up shop in a lot of cafes and coffee shops wherever I find myself.
Or working from home. Ahhh, #remoteworklife.
To be honest, solo travel is a lot different than traveling with your family because your work is able to support them as well.
Solo travel means isolation (even if you're meeting up with friends when you get there),
Solo travel means it's up to you and no one else to get you where you need to be,
And solo travel means getting out of your comfort zone.
That last one is something I knew intrinsically but didn't think about until my solo travels to NYC.
Just TRY and stay inside your lil safe bubble when the MegaBus drops you off in the middle of a city where you practically have to pay your way into a bathroom, cars are honking the second the lights turn green, and your GPS stops working.
(That last part actually happened to me and let me tell you, I PANICKED).
But hey, it got me out of my comfort zone... that's for sure!
I had to ask for directions, ask for the Wi-Fi password 800 million times, ask my friend for advice on getting around the city... things I normally like to be prepared for and not ask for help with.
It makes me feel like an adult
Does anyone else get off a plane, train, or bus and immediately feel like they've mastered being an adult?
Because SAME.
There's just something about traveling and getting outside your local area that makes me feel like I'm doing the damn thing.
There are only a few things so far that make me feel this way. That list includes:
Buying an entire cake BECAUSE I CAN,
Paying off my credit cards and still having 💸💸 left over,
Hanging up art that isn't a poster in my apartment,
And getting off a plane, train, or bus and stepping into a new place.
Solo travel is quite an adventure. If you haven't had the opportunity to get away for a small vacation or a business trip, I highly suggest you do it.
I even wrote a blog about how to take time off so you can travel!
The things you discover may be similar to mine, or they may be completely different.
The beauty of solo travel?
Your experience is what you make of it. So make the most of it.