Back in April, I wrote a post called Becoming My Own Guide . It was a prequel of sorts, written just before my first solo trip. I was excited, nervous, and quietly hoping that two weeks alone would shift something inside me. I didn’t have a set itinerary, just an intention: to trust myself more, to stay open, to move forward even when I felt uncertain.
On May 4, I boarded a plane carrying only 2 bags, some vague plans, and that quiet determination. Fourteen days later, I returned with stories. and no, it wasn’t what I expected. I didn’t come back a new person. But I came back changed in ways that don’t always show up in photos, but in the mindset.
1️⃣ Plans Changed. I Didn’t Fall Apart
I love plans and I love lists. I love knowing what to expect. However, life doesn’t work that way. Life is unpredictable. It happens without permissions and announcements, and sometimes, we just need to roll with it. While most of my trip went as per my plans, some uncertainties arose. 2 of my destinations were booked already, and 1 agency cancelled my plans at the last minute. I felt stressed, but I was able to subvert my expectations and change my plans accordingly. I booked a trip to another destination and was able to change the travel agency for the 2nd one.
2️⃣ Alone Isn’t Always Lonely
Before I left, I thought I’d be bored eventually. But not once in my two weeks there did I feel so. I found activities to keep me occupied, and while I met new people, struck up conversations and meetups with them, I also enjoyed my alone time. It felt… slower, and I observed the things around me more. I felt clarity as more days went by.
3️⃣ Strangers Made the Journey Feel Human
Some were kind, some were curious, some were just passing by, but every interaction made me fulfilled and happy. Their conversations grounded me, reminded me I wasn’t truly alone. It also gave me confidence that, as an introvert, I can still make friends and connect with people within a comparatively shorter period!
4️⃣ Not All Discomfort Is a Warning Sign
I got lost, I had people cancel plans on me, and I made new plans on a whim. I didn’t let anyone or anything deter my experiences along the way. It was my first-ever solo trip and I reminded myself not to be bogged down by the unexpected turn-of-events. Instead, take them as a challenge and level up along the way. It made me more comfortable with discomfort and gamified it to become a better person.
5️⃣ I Trusted Myself More Than I Expected To
There was no backup. No one to double-check directions or soothe my spiral. And yet, I figured things out. I navigated. I made calls. I decided when to pause and when to move. That voice I wasn’t sure I could rely on? It showed up. Clear and steady.
6️⃣ I Didn’t Come Back Transformed, But Rooted
I didn’t come back as a brand new person after some dramatic epiphany. What I found was subtler and deeper than that. I found the belief to trust myself, and the proof that I can carry my weight. Throughout my life, my ultimate goal has been to be as independent as possible. To not let solitude get in my way. To carry on with myself when nobody else is there to back me up. And finally, I am start to believe that I can.
I took this trip alone, but I didn’t come back the same. I don’t have all the answers yet, but I’m more confident in exploring them now.
And the journey doesn’t end at home.
Image Source: My phone gallery
Anwesha RC 