Key Takeaways
- Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse writes our regular column on solo female travel. It’s a topic I can’t cover so I brought her on to cover topics a
- “You’re going across the world by yourself?! Are you sure?”
- You’ve heard it before, right? Someone who means well and tries to talk you out of traveling solo, mentioning all kinds of things that could go wrong.
Posted” 2/8/18 | February 8th, 2018
Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse writes our regular column on solo female travel. It’s a topic we’re passionate about—so we invited her to share insights and perspectives vital to women travelers everywhere. In this month’s column, Kristin reflects on the transformative lessons learned through solo travel.
“You’re going across the world by yourself?! Are you sure?”
You’ve heard it before, right? Someone who means well tries to dissuade you—highlighting every possible risk while overlooking the immense rewards.
They can be persuasive—focusing heavily on the negative—but rarely acknowledge how deeply enriching, empowering, and joyful solo travel truly is.
What about all of the things that *could* go right?
There are experiences unique to solo female travelers—moments that simply don’t unfold the same way when traveling with others. It’s like an unspoken sisterhood: open to anyone willing to take the first step, yet often invisible to those who haven’t walked the path. For those who have, the truth is clear—it’s less daunting than imagined, and infinitely more rewarding.
Traveling the world solo has reshaped perspectives and revealed enduring truths only discovered when navigating life—and landscapes—on your own terms:
1. Trying new food on the other side of the world—and falling in love with it—is far more thrilling than dining at a high-end restaurant back home.
2. An exotic dish tastes even better eaten with your hands, barefoot, seated on the floor.
3. Swinging in a hammock on a tropical beach—whether alone or among new friends—is worth every mosquito bite.
4. You can say “hello” and “thank you” in more languages than your car has gears.
5. Playing with a child in another language warms the heart more than any designer sweater ever could.
6. Beauty exists in every shade, shape, and size—there is no universal standard, only infinite expressions of humanity.
7. Nothing compares to the exhilaration of booking a flight to a destination you chose—just for you.
8. Passport stamps hold more allure—and meaning—than luxury watches or handbags.
9. A sugar rush feels sweeter when enjoyed in Europe with a chocolate croissant and a full day of unplanned adventure ahead.
10. What someone wears, where they’re from, or their bank balance matters far less than their ability to spark a meaningful conversation halfway across the globe.
11. Espresso really does taste better in Italy—and Panang curry truly shines in Thailand.
12. Witnessing sunset over the ocean on another continent holds more emotional weight than any social media validation.
13. The Facebook feed pales in interest when you’ve got a whole day of discovery, zero obligations, and complete freedom ahead.
14. Makeup, hair tools, and shapewear may not be essential—and you look radiant exactly as you are.
15. A fleeting, heartfelt connection with a stranger from afar—accent and all—can be worth the bittersweet ending.
16. Saying “yes” without consulting anyone else is one of the most liberating feelings imaginable.
17. Saying “no” without guilt or fear of offending—choosing your boundaries with quiet strength—can feel even more powerful.
18. You’re braver than you ever gave yourself credit for.
19. You’re capable of doing things that once felt utterly impossible—even terrifying.
20. No classroom rivals the education gained from navigating unfamiliar streets, languages, and cultures—alone.
21. After solo-traveling to a place where nothing is familiar, no job interview, boardroom, or social gathering will ever intimidate you again—you’ve already proven you can thrive in uncertainty.
22. A few missteps and “learning experiences” along the way only deepen resilience and wisdom.
23. Above all, you’ll remember your own strength, clarity, and expanded sense of self—and how you belong in this vast, diverse world.
24. When the trip ends, you’ll carry those quiet realizations—and likely start researching your next flight before you’ve even unpacked.
Solo female travelers know this truth: traveling alone is a rare and precious gift. It cultivates unshakable confidence, places every decision firmly in your hands, and invites you to become the CEO of your own life and adventures.
That confidence doesn’t fade when the journey ends—it strengthens your voice, sharpens your instincts, and transforms how you show up in everyday life.
Loved ones’ fears or misconceptions may persist—but leading by example—living boldly, returning grounded and empowered—often speaks louder than any argument.
If you’ve dreamed of solo travel but hesitated, now’s the time. Go across the world—by yourself—and prepare to meet the most fascinating person you’ll ever know: you.
Kristin Addis is a solo female travel expert who inspires women to explore the world authentically and courageously. A former investment banker, she sold her possessions in 2012 and has since traveled continuously for over eight years. You can find more of her work at Be My Travel Muse or on Instagram and Facebook.
