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What Solo Travel Taught Me

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Hi, I'm Erin!

I am a photographer passionate about the outdoors, meaningful travel, creativity and intention in all things. I hope to use my platform online to show the beauty and complexity of the world we live in, and to encourage genuine connection to the world and all the magic within it.

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SHOP PRINTS

After breaking up with my ex boyfriend almost a year ago, I decided to go it alone in Thailand for a few weeks.

My first solo trip had been in Europe three years earlier, and was a complete disaster. I was bored, confused and extremely anxious the whole time. So I wasn’t exactly looking forward to the Thailand trip, but I booked the tickets anyway with the hopeful mindset that it would be good for me.

AND WAS IT EVER.

Those three weeks in Thailand were mind-blowingly beneficial. To start off, Thailand is not a hard place to travel logistically, so it was a good choice. The tourist trail is beaten pretty far into the ground, and I admittedly didn’t stray too far from it, given the whole heartbreak deal.

Anyway. Last night I went through my journal from the trip. This is what I learned.

1. I AM CAPABLE
During my relationship, I let my boyfriend do a lot of things for me. Mainly, I allowed him to do things for me when I was feeling too anxious to do them myself. On my solo trip, I was smacked in the face with many bricks of anxiety. I had no choice but to move past them, so I did. It was not easy, but I put my anxiety to the side and decided to stop letting it control me. Nice to meet you, freedom!

2. I AM AWESOME AND WORTHY OF LOVE
I felt unloved and misunderstood in my relationship. Traveling alone allowed me lots of time to think, appreciate myself, and to notice the parts of myself that I had quieted or faded. I celebrated my accomplishments more. I danced. I ate lots of mango sticky rice.

3. I AM DRIVING THE SHIP
For years I worried what the next step would be for me and constantly asked myself what the right thing to do was. This trip allowed me to take a step back and realize that I am the one making those decisions, and I am the one defining what right is or isn’t.

It’s a ship. Get it?

4. I CAN STOP CARING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
This was a sore subject for me and controlled my life for a long time. What other people think about me is something that doesn’t serve me. It doesn’t improve me. It makes me critical, turns my anxiety up to level 5000, and encourages me to be judgmental. I hate all of those things. Ummm, BYE.

5. I CAN HAVE FUN ALL THE TIME
I know I have a lot of feelings. But once the feelings are adequately felt and are given enough attention, there is no reason I shouldn’t be happy. I gained so much awareness by asking myself why I wasn’t having fun on the first few days of my Thailand trip. I came up with the answers and gave them attention.

What I’m learning now is that being alone has been the best gift I could have given myself. Allowing myself the time and space to simply think and be has been an invaluable learning experience.

I think I’ll keep doing it.

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  1. Miranda says:

    Erin, I was introduced to your blog a couple days ago after you started hosting the She-explores instagram. I’ve been pouring through your stories and I just want to say ‘YES! thank you!” Sharing so vulnerably, honestly, and openly these stories that I and so many others relate to.

  2. G says:

    Hi Erin,

    Just wanted to send a quick note to say I loved reading this post!
    I recently went on a soul trip after my break up with my boyfriend of four years.
    I spent four weeks in UK & Europe and also learnt a lot of the same things!

    Really nice knowing someone has had a similar experience.

    G
    Lifestyle & Beauty Blogger
    http://www.gbygeorgie.com

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