I leave for my first-ever solo vacation in FOUR days. I have been on a ton of trips, but they’ve been with other family members or for business purposes. When I started telling people I was leaving at the end of this year to spend time away for a week, everybody’s first question was the same: “Who are you going with?” You should have seen the reactions and facial expressions that followed when I said that I was going on my own. The responses I got ranged from “Wow, I could never do that,” and, “That is so brave of you.” to, “Will it be safe?” and, “That sounds really boring/lonely.”

Regardless of how everyone else feels about my upcoming trip, I am super excited about it. Here are some of the things that I look forward to most:

1. SELF-DISCOVERY – When was the last time you spent a significant amount of time alone? Yeah, I can’t remember the last time that I’ve done that either. This trip will allow me the freedom to still my mind and be truly introspective. Too much of our own company might be a terrifying prospect for some, but I welcome the potential discomfort with open arms in hopes to be able to dive into parts of myself that I have yet to explore.

2. PERSONAL INTEREST – I tend to be overly considerate of what other people want to do when traveling in a group. I’m either worrying about what my girls are going to need or what my travel partner wants to go do. If I want to “waste” the day away sitting in a spa or reading all day at the beach, I can! I won’t have to worry about feeling obligated to entertain someone else.

3. EMPOWERMENT – Making a decision to take my life into my own hands and to do the things that I love to do is a great way to build confidence and trust in my abilities. I am capable and I am strong.

4. INSPIRATION – Putting myself in a new surrounding is going to widen my own perception of the world and will allow me to experience things that will inspire me. Inspire me to grow, to change, to learn, to love.

5. RETURNING HOME – You know that saying about absence making the heart grow fonder? Most of us have had an experience where we’ve re-united with someone after being absent from them for a time. Didn’t it help you renew your appreciation for them? At the end of my trip I will be that much more grateful for all that I have to come home to.

6. TRUST – When you are traveling solo, but have a partner at home, it helps to set a precedent in the relationship that it’s okay for each person to pursue separate interests. It develops trust and enhances support of one another as individuals.

7. ACCEPTANCE – Being authentic when we travel is a perfect way to learn to accept ourselves and our environment. Life is constantly moving and changing, flowing beyond our control. Learning to accept what we cannot control and being flexible is part of the journey. Self-acceptance is the other side to that coin. Loving yourself is the beginning of the positive relationship you will have with the world.

So, off I go in just a few short days. I will post updates when I return. Much love to you all!