What I've Learned Traveling SOLO
I'm a bit over half way through my solo trip to Spain and thought I'd share a few things traveling alone has taught me for anyone considering it!
But let me back up first. Before I left for this trip I was.... well I was REALLY FREAKING NERVOUS. I've traveled a lot and have been abroad... but alone? That was a new beast for me. Let me clarify by saying I do have a sweet friend here in Barcelona, so she has been really helpful in giving me tips/tricks. But flight to flight, train to train, shoot to shoot, I'm doing it solo.
“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.” - LOTR
1. GOTTA HAVE GUMPTION
What I've learned so far is that you've gotta have gumption if you're going to travel by yourself. Gumption sounds great until you actually have to use it. It usually involves leaving comfort zones, welcoming intimidating circumstances and lots of bravery. From having THREE flights get cancelled to getting around a new city with crazy public transportation, I didn't really have a choice. FRIEND, YOU GOTTA HAVE GUMPTION. The best part? You do have it! You just have to really bring it out in yourself.
2. GOTTA LET IT GO
You are at the mercy of your circumstance. You can plan. You can prepare. You can have a checklist, schedule and timeline. But I can guarantee that it's not going to work out the way you thought. Like I said before, going on an adventure inherently opens you up to unforeseen situations. If you don't prepare your heart for this, it would be really easy for anxiety, fear and anger to ruin your trip. FRIEND, YOU GOTTA LET IT GO.
3. GOTTA HAVE TRUST
HOLY CRAP Y'ALL! I think I've prayed more in the last 7 days than I have in the last 7 months. (Womp, womp - I think that shows a bigger issue here... But let's not focus on that for now.)
In general, traveling opens up LOTS of opportunity for plans to fall through, things to change and LOTS of unintended events to happen. HENCE PRAYER. Maybe I love travel so much because it allows me to fully rely on the Lord to provide in so many ways. Many times, you're forced to accept the hand your dealt... Like THREE flights getting cancelled (Can you tell this part of my trip was really hard for me? Haha)
I have seen God do amazing things, both big and small. From somehow getting me a seat on an already fully booked flight, to opening my heart up to a silver lining when my flight was delayed for 15 hours in Dublin. He's taught me that going on an adventure MUST begin with allowing yourself to be joyful in every circumstance. I'm so thankful to embrace each moment as it comes and truly fall on my knees in gratitude for what HE has done. FRIEND, YOU GOTTA HAVE TRUST.
I'll leave you with one more LOTR quote until next time...
“Go back?" he thought. "No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!" So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.”
