This past August, I decided that I wanted to change the course of my life and travel the world solo for a year. The decision may have been made official in August, but my heart knew far in advance what it wanted.
And, as with everything in life, many people had their different opinions about my plans. A lot of my friends and some of my family were super supportive in this. But some were not totally on board with it. My parents, for example, were quite against me traveling the world on my own when I first told them. It took a lot of convincing, and basically telling them that there was no way that I was not doing this, before they finally realized that this was going to happen. After that, I told them the logistics of my plan, why I wanted to go, and showed them the community of people who travel solo. And soon, they were just as excited for my trip as I was. Now my parents are fully supporting me and really encouraging me to follow my travel dreams.
Unfortunately though, there are still some family and friends who have told me that I ought to re-think my world travel dream. So how does one deal with that and try to show them why this is so important to you?
Well, I'm currently trying to figure that out. I think I am going to try my best to open up their eyes; show them that, while this world does have a lot of hate and violence in it, it also still has a lot of love. That's one of the things that I want to show people. Yes, there are bad people in the world which we live, but not every soul is bad. I'm going to try to get my point across to all of the naysayers and make sure they know that I believe in myself and my journey. I understand that not everyone will get it, but I do want my family to believe in me and the path that I have chosen.
I guess I just don't understand why they think this won't be my best choice. I am choosing to do something that is not considered "normal" for a 20 year old girl, but that does not mean that it is the wrong path in life. Those who have had a negative opinion about my travels have even tried to tell me that I am just running away from life, or that I'm "lost". But the truth is that I'm running towards life and creating my own reality. Instead of living in the norm, I will be out exploring the world and taking in different cultures, experiences, and life lessons. What path could be better than that?
I'm going to gather up articles and blog posts from other solo female travelers and travel bloggers in general, and make a list for all of my non-believers to read (if they want to). And if they still think that all of this is not a reasonable thing after reading about other's journeys, hearing my reasons for following my heart, and realizing the world is not as terrible as they think, then I've done all that I can.
While I would love to have all of the support in the world, I went into this knowing that was not going to be the case. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and that is perfectly fine.
In the end, this is my journey. I have done extensive research (for over a year now!) on travel and solo female travel, and all of the countries in which I'm planning to visit. I know what I am capable of. I have a good head on my shoulders. I have confidence in myself AND I DON'T REALLY CARE IF NOBODY ELSE BELIEVES. I know I can do this and my heart if fully in it. That's all that truly matters.
Has anyone else ever dealt with this? If so, how did you handle it?! Please let me know!
xx
THE LIST!!
Not all those who wander are lost - World of Wanderlust
The Solo Woman Traveler Manifesto - World of Wanderlust
Everything you need to know about solo travel - World of Wanderlust
Don't be afraid to walk alone - Lauren Marinigh
Why all women should travel solo - The Blonde Abroad
How to make friends while traveling solo - Adventurous Kate
Top 10 travel safety tips for women - Adventurous Kate
7 common travel myths that are wrong - Nomadic Matt
Women shouldn't be afraid to travel alone - A Wandering Sole (via Nomadic Matt)
Why I became a solo female traveler - Be My Travel Muse (via Nomadic Matt)
I love listening to music whenever I travel anywhere. Whether it's in an airport, on a bus, walking, or stuck in traffic on my way home from work. Music can make things go from a boring drag to a fun concert in your head.
Music is also something that inspires my wanderlust. So now I give to you, my top 17 songs that make me want to hop on a plane and travel! I highly recommend to give them a listen if you have the chance. (Note: some of these songs have absolutely nothing to do with travel, but a memory associated with travel.)
1. 53 Steps - Rachel Platten
"I am 53 steps from my apartment, I've memorized the cracks that age the road. I couldn't quite grasp what my heart meant, but I think that it was telling me to go" This song makes me want to drop everything and run away to travel forever.
2. Nothing Ever Happens - Rachel Platten
"A ticket out sits on her shelf, but gathers dust upon itself. Cause chasing shots is for the brave, maybe soon she'll feel that way" Rachel Platten's songs are the definition of inspiration. I just want to quote this whole song!! This is probably the song that most inspires me to go. Every line in the song speaks to me and my wanderlust. A dreamers song!
3. Ready To Run - One Direction
"This time I'm ready to run, escape from the city and follow the sun" This song is about following your heart and your love to wherever it/they are in the world. For me, I see it as following my dream. Wherever it may be in this world!
4. I Lived - One Republic
"I owned every second that this world could give, I saw so many places, the things that I did, yeah worth every broken bone, I swear I lived" This song reminds me of why I love to travel...to live! It's all about making sure life doesn't escape you.
5. 3x5 - John Mayer
"Didn't have a camera by my side this time, hoping I would see the world with both my eyes"
6. Boom Clap - Charlie XCX
"Boom clap, the sound of my heart, the beat goes on and on and on and on and" This song is in here because it plays in the scene of The Fault In Our Stars when Gus and Hazel first touch down in Amsterdam. So, it will always remind me of Amsterdam. And one day when I visit, this will be the song that I play as I arrive!
7. The City - The 1975
"Yeah you wanna find love then you know where the city is, the city is"
8. Daydreaming - Paramore
"Not that won't remember where I'm from, just don't want to be here no more ... It's not enough ... I'm gonna go ... Where the rest of the dreamers go"
9. Disconnected - 5 Seconds of Summer
"I admit I'm a bit of a victim in the world wide system too, but I found my sweet escape when I'm alone with you, turn down the static sound of the city that never sleeps, here in the moment on the dark side of the screen" Just makes me wants to quit technology and run away!
10. Independence Day - 5 Seconds of Summer
"I'm not gonna waste my life away, this is my independence day" \m/
11. International Smile - Katy Perry
"That girl's a trip, a one way ticket, takes you miles high, so high, cause she's got that one international smile" I mean, come one, it even has the word international in it! It's a must for any travel lovers (especially good for girls!).
12. Let Me In - Grouplove
"All this time been trippin' and slippin' around, you got me, now I'm swimmin', swimmin' in clouds"
13. Long Way Down - Tom Odell
"It's a long way down, you know it's a long way down, feels like a long way down, love it feels like a long way down" This is going to sound extremely weird, but my favorite place to listen to this is actually on a plane. Cause, I mean, it really is a long way down!
14. Simple As This - Jake Bugg
"Oh, the answer, well who would have guessed, could be something as simple as this, something as simple as this"
15. Starlight - Taylor Swift
"Don't you see the starlight, starlight, don't you dream impossible things" Another song for dreamers! This song always reminds me to chase my dreams, cause without our dreams, we sometimes lose sight of the important things in life.
16. Why Not - Hilary Duff
"You keep waiting where you are, for what you'll never know, let's just get in to your car and go, baby go, so why not, take a crazy chance, why not, do a crazy dance, if you lose a moment you might lose a lot, so why not, why not" These lyrics just say it all.
17. Fight Song - Rachel Platten
"And I don't really care if nobody else believes, cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me" Yes, another Rachel Platten song! I highly suggest listening to her music. She is one of my absolute favorites and deserves all the success in the world! And if you want to feel empowered or inspired, Fight Song is the song for you!!!
Well there you have it! I hope these inspire you as they inspire me!
xx
