There was a time when I thought my world was small. I waited for plans that never materialized and for "someday" to arrive. But then, I took the leap. I started traveling solo, and suddenly, the world opened up in ways I never imagined.

If I had waited for the perfect travel partner or for the "perfect" time when I wasn't scared, my life would be missing some of its most vibrant colors. Looking back, these are the iconic moments and quiet realizations I would have missed if I hadn't dared to go alone. 🌎👣

*Early morning hikes on a group tour in Alberta, Canada (July 2022)*

The Moments That Defined the Journey

🇬🇧 England & 🇮🇪 Ireland: I would have missed the meditative peace of wandering London’s historic streets and standing in awe of Westminster Abbey. I wouldn't have felt the energy of Dublin’s Temple Bar or the hushed, scholarly magic of the Trinity College Library.

🇫🇷 France: I never would have seen the Eiffel Tower sparkle against the night sky or climbed the towering Dune de Pilat. I would have missed that quiet, personal moment staring back at the Mona Lisa.

🇪🇸 Spain & 🇮🇹 Italy: I would have missed the intricate, soul-stirring beauty of the Sagrada Familia or the passion of a Flamenco show. In Italy, I wouldn't have walked the halls of the Colosseum, climbed Pisa, hiked the colorful Cinque Terre, or drifted through Venice in a gondola, completely at peace with my own thoughts.

🇦🇹 Austria & 🇨🇿 Czechia: I would have missed singing through Sound of Music locations in the mountains or watching the Astronomical Clock strike the hour in Prague. I wouldn't have left my mark on the John Lennon Wall or explored the sprawling Prague Castle.

*Visiting the East Side Gallery Wall in Berlin (February 2020)*

🇩🇪 Germany & 🇳🇱 Netherlands: I wouldn't have stood in somber reflection at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews or walked the remains of the Berlin Wall (and I definitely would have missed out on authentic Currywurst!). In Amsterdam, I would have missed the Van Gogh Museum, the vibrant Red Light District, and the best pancakes of my life.

🇨🇦 Canada: Even in my own "backyard," I would have missed the surreal turquoise waters of Lake Louise, Peyto, and Maligne, or the thundering power of Niagara Falls.

🇬🇷 Greece: I would have missed the ancient whispers of Delphi and Corinth, the wind in my hair on a boat cruise, the history of the Acropolis, and that life-changing Poseidon sunset at Sounion.

*Exploring the Temple of Poseidon in Athens (September 2025)*

What Solo Travel Actually Taught Me

The sites are incredible, but the real thing I would have missed? The version of myself that exists today. By traveling alone, I learned that:

I am my own best company. I’ve learned to love the silence and the freedom to choose my own path.
Bravery isn't the absence of fear. It’s feeling the nerves at the airport and getting on the plane anyway.
The world is kinder than we're told. Strangers become guides, and moments of solitude become moments of connection.

If I hadn't taken that first leap, I’d still be waiting. Instead, I’m living. I’m exploring. And I’m so, so glad I didn't stay home.

Is there a destination you're dreaming of but are "waiting" for someone to go with? What if you just went? 👇