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Picture this: You just graduated college, you landed a great job that starts in August, and life seems to be lining up perfectly. Then, out of nowhere, you get the call—your start date is being delayed until January. Suddenly, all your carefully laid plans are up in the air. That was me in May of 2023.
I remember hanging up the phone and immediately spiraling into a million questions. What am I supposed to do for the next several months? How am I going to make money? Should I get a different job? I had no idea what my next move was.
The Summer That Changed Everything
To hold myself over for the summer, I found a fun job as a beverage cart girl at a golf course. I figured it would be a great way to make some extra cash, enjoy the summer, and buy myself some time to figure out my next steps. What I didn’t expect was how much this job would change my perspective.
One of my managers, who I became really good friends with, told me about her experiences traveling the world. She had been everywhere, and she encouraged me to do the same. I remember thinking, Could I actually do that? The idea of solo travel had never seriously crossed my mind before. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized—why not? What else was I going to do for the fall?
And just like that, I made my decision. I was going to travel to Europe for seven weeks. Alone.
Booking the Flight Before I Could Back Out
Once I set my mind on it, I knew I had to take action fast before fear (or practicality) could talk me out of it. I searched for the cheapest flight from the U.S. to Europe and landed on a ticket to Norway. It felt random, exciting, and slightly terrifying all at once. But I booked it anyway.
I had no set itinerary, no idea what I was getting myself into, and no clue how much I was about to grow from this experience.
All I brought was one singular backpack. It was a Patagonia backpack that only carried a weeks worth of clothes and some other needed items. It was so easy to carry just one backpack. I remember thinking I am never go back to a suitcase after this.
Check Out the Backpack I Traveled Europe with Here
The Best Decision of My Life
Stepping off that plane in Norway, it hit me—I was really doing this. I was in a foreign country, completely alone, with nothing but my backpack and a sense of adventure.
Over the next seven weeks, I hopped from country to country, experiencing new cultures, meeting incredible people, and learning so much about myself along the way. Every time I navigated a new city, figured out public transportation in a foreign language, or made a spontaneous decision to visit a new place, I felt myself growing more independent and confident.
By the time I came home, I was a completely different person. I felt fearless. I had just traveled across the world alone. What could possibly scare me after that?
I no longer cared about doing things solo. Going to a restaurant by myself? No problem. Showing up to an event alone? Easy. I realized that the limits I used to place on myself were completely imaginary. I had pushed past them, and there was no going back.
If You’re Thinking About Traveling—Do It
I never would have imagined that getting delayed from my job would turn into one of the best things to ever happen to me. It forced me to take a risk I never would have considered otherwise.
So if you’re in a place where you’re unsure of what’s next—whether you just graduated, have extra time, or are simply craving something new—I can’t recommend solo travel enough. It’s scary at first, but that’s part of the magic. You’ll come back stronger, braver, and with stories you’ll never forget.
I promise, the hardest part is booking the flight. After that, everything falls into place.
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