Hello you peps!
So, I get asked quite often how is it like to travel alone, you know,
"being that I'm a girl" and all of that, how do I see it and why I do it, that sort of thing, therefore I decided to write all about it and give you guys an insight of it...
Well, first and foremost just let me tell you that being a girl who travels is such a BADASS feeling in so many ways, as it should be. I never thought when I started this journey 4 years ago that traveling being a GIRL would be such a strong subject for discussion, but I think that is amazing how it became empowering to women all over the world to follow their own journey.
Maybe it's because I wasn't raised to think that things should be different because I'm a girl, I didn't grow up thinking I couldn't do this or that because I'm not a man, (as matter of fact I think I got more balls than a lot of men out there, just saying) that it's too dangerous to travel alone or any of that, that's narrow thinking right there and let me just tell you right now: Living daily life ANYWHERE can be dangerous, there's evil everywhere for everyone, so we can't let the fact that people like to atribute that to gender or circumstance create fear and stop you from living your life. I believe that we should all be encouraged to travel and discover the world with our own eyes and in our terms, may that be climbing a mountain in Austria or climbing the mountain in your own town.
Not everybody is eager for traveling that's for sure, not everybody thinks that living off that one suitcase months straight is an ideal way of living, and that's fine... Hell, I never thought I could downsize my 3 big suitcases for 1 and be just fine for over a year but you learn that all you need to survive traveling long term (material stuff) it's really not that much. I promise you that you will do just fine with 2 casual outfits, 2 fancy ones, some extra gear for the winter, a couple of pajamas, and 3 pairs of shoes, that's more than enough if I'm being honest. Yes, I am a girl that loves make up and I got a very high maintenance type of hair so I carry my load of make up and beauty related products but those kind of things you can buy a few anywhere in travel sizes. Some people may think that it's not enough but if you're like me and love traveling then you know the amazing feeling of knowing you only gotta throw those few items in a suitcase an you're ready to go on your next adventure.
Now, like any other changes in life this one also comes with a lot of different feelings and challenges and you will understand why in a second..
Just let me back up a little in time and tell you what it's like to leave home, family, friends, your job, comfort zone: It's terrifying... until you board your plane, after that there's such a peaceful hopeful felling that comes over, it's hard to put it in words, but that's when all your efforts and hard work to get there pays off, you might not know what it's going to be like, you definitely don't know the future, you have no idea what challenges you will face but you made it there, you kicked fear's ass, you said goodbye to your family, those who are the most important people in your life, you quit your job that was your safety net, you had your farewell drinks, laughs and tears with friends, most likely you worked your butt off to pay for this trip (been there done that), you went through nights were you questioned your decision, you prayed to God to light up your way and keep you safe, then you cried and was also scared if that was the right choice, then you finally pack and take that ride to the airport, anxious and nauseated if you are anything like me with the damn motion sickness haha... and then you board on that plane and it all becomes a memory that you cherish because it got you so far already.
I've been through those emotions a few times already and it never gets easier to say goodbye, because you're not just uncertain of your future, you also worry about the ones you leave behind, how they're gonna feel, and God forbid anything happens to any of them when you're half-world away... I will tell you, it tests your heart's capacity sometimes, but I'm incredibly lucky I have support always and even when I doubt my choice there's someone there to shake me up and tell me stop being such a baby haha
I don't mean any of this to ever discourage you, I think there's a lot of wrong information out there that make people confused, but don't you worry because I'm going to slowly walk you through all of it and the things that I have yet to learn and discover we will learn and figure out together along the way ;)
As far as my knowledge goes I will tell you that doesn't matter where you're traveling to, I can guarantee there will always be so many people willing to help you, generally we underestimate the power of kindness, it can get you very far. So if you're ever in this travel life you will make many friends, some of them you will take for life and they will always be on your 'visit list' whenever you're close to their area again, others you will be friends for 15 minutes or an hour during that coffee break, or for 12 hours on that train ride and then you will say goodbye and hold those moments and shared life experiences dearly in your heart.
Thankfully I have had so many encounters in life so far, so many stories, laughs, heart felt conversations with people that I may not see ever again but they changed my life and the way I look at life even a little bit just by being there with me for a few moments.
Now, when you're actually living your life in that travel dream of yours I can't lie and say it's all flowers and rainbows and you're only gonna have great moments and if anybody tells you that they're lying. You are going to get your ass kicked by life like never before, and I mean it... you think you know what missing home feels like? Well, your definitions will be updated.. Do you think you've been broke before? try to be broke away from home, alone, paying for food and living and with temporary jobs. Do you complain that your parents were mean when they grounded you that one time? Well, just wait until you meet a jackass that will make your life as hard as they can just for fun. And the list can go on, but you get the vibe.
One thing is fore sure here: you're gonna get yourself in epic pickle moments, you're going to have moments you just want to throw everything in the air and go home, somedays you're going to cry your eyes out, you're going to travel miles with the music blasting singing your troubles away, you're going to learn to appreciate a night out just drinking with friends to forget about all the stress that goes on sometimes... but it's all so fucking worth it, every part of it, every tear, sweat, hard ass kicking moment. I've had moments that I was terrified, moments that I literally cried cause I wanted to be home with my mom to have one of our great conversations, sleep in my own bed, walk around my house in my underwear if I felt like it and more than anything in the world I wanted to be in my comfort zone, but you know what, EVERYTHING in life is temporary, the good moments and the bad ones, you just gotta push through that one night/day/moment and you will be just fine, pinky promise. <3
On the other hand I met amazing souls, and I mean souls because I love them deeply no matter what skin they're in, I made them friends for life and created bonds that otherwise I wouldn't have.
More often than not I will be just thinking about life and then l just wonder how would I ever be able to live without all those people, how many amazing moments I would've missed out because I was too scared to live on my own terms.
I've also seen beautiful breathtaking places, from the cozy cabin to the immense ocean, I drove miles and miles across states just for the sake of traveling, I had so many fun moments, I had great dates and I had the hilarious fail ones that today still make me laugh, I got drunk during girls night out and we danced like crazy unstable people, I learned to budget, to save money... although I'm still much better at spending it hahaha I had love stories, the kind that makes you just smile all the time and think that it had to be that way and I was meant to live it, doesn't mean I thought they would last forever but they were supposed to be lived in that moment. There's a lot more stories that I want to share with you but that's subject for another post.
If you take under consideration the ups and downs you might not be sold on the idea, so allow me to just tell you that I love every memory of it, I cherish all those moments and would do it all over again in a heart beat. It allowed me to be today here, sitting at a coffee shop with my computer and my delicious coffee, at 3:30pm in a Friday doing what I love with my heart and mind in peace, for me that's happiness.
Now you ask me: Why girls who travel are the new black? Because of all I just said, and also there's nothing more fierce and powerful than a woman who owns her life and doesn't give a fuck for social standards, someone who works hard, someone who knows to be kind and strong, a woman who fights the world with claws to climb her own mountain without having to take anyone down or diminish others to do so. You don't have to have it all together to have it all, you can be happy and successful in your own terms and that's badass right there.
I encourage you, whatever your gender is, whatever situation you're in, doesn't matter how broken or scared you are: Break out of your own mind and live, for God's sake just LIVE! I want you to be 75 years old look back and think: "Oh my God, I had an amazing life, I lived and loved all I wanted too, I made my life incredible."
With much love,
Carry on girl!
