Solo Female Travel. A seemingly Taboo thing to do. Lets talk about it!
Here is the thing, what it comes down to is I absolutely love nature and travel. Let me rephrase the word travel, perhaps exploring is more explanatory. Relaxing poolside vacations just don’t fill my soul and capture my breath but exploring and nature, well, it’s become a craving, perhaps a need.
Chasing waterfalls and seeking summits comes at a price though. The most beautiful places often take hard work to access. Like hiking 11 miles up a mountain for 5 hours, or camping in a tent because the view from a hotel room is just not the same experience. Additionally hotels are five to ten times more expensive. I can go more places more often for $30 a night. It is evident not everybody can or desires to spend entire days submerged in nature. Tent sleeping isn’t for everyone and that’s okay! You do you boo! BUT, I promise you Ima do me. So that means learning to go solo!
BUT!
Here come the Buts! BUT, is it safe? BUT, aren’t you scared? BUT, aren’t you lonely? Let’s talk about the but’s.
BUT aren’t you lonely? The world is divided. There are your extroverts and introverts. I am an introvert. I am completely content alone. Honestly though, I never really feel alone with my music in my ears, or my new friends that are fictional characters that have more drama with every page I turn. I am never alone as world buzzes around me, my body twisted in weird angles as I look through the lens, trying to capture less of image but rather a feeling. I am not alone because under the same sky I have family waiting on my check ins that are comfortable and happy right where they are.
Solo trips mean I don’t have to compromise on what to do and when to do it. More importantly nobody has to compromise for what and when I want to do it. I don’t have to read body language and read moods wondering if my people pleasing ways are pleasing enough. I can change my mind a thousand times and decide what I am going to do right before I do it.
Having said that, it doesn’t mean I don’t thoroughly enjoy traveling with friends and family! I absolutely do and would choose to have my family by my side every trip if they were willing. My point is that solo travel isn’t some unenjoyable activity. I am not sitting around like Eeyore. I am content and happy.
BUT is it safe? Ah the reason this subject is Taboo. Less taboo for men solo travelers in my opinion. The world sees woman as helpless victims more then they don’t. The truth is we do have a target on our back but we are absolutely not helpless are even close to defenseless. Of course solo travel is not AS safe then when you are with others, no matter if your a man or a woman. Life is full of calculated risk. Risk we take every single day, mostly because it is worth it to us. To me this risk is worth it. Maybe that is selfish because admittedly it feels as such. Passion is passion, and I am lucky to have one. How sad would it be to not pursue such a love because there was risk ?! So, I minimize every single risk I possibly can. I ask “what is the worst that can happen and how can I defend against it?” I learn to be smarter, I train to be stronger and well my husband will tell you, I will never be an easy victim. I was born with too much spunk. I take a few self defense classes, I invest in a Satellite communicator, self defense tools, and I educate myself on hiking safety. I pack accordingly with water filtration systems, emergency bivey sacks, a well packed first aid kit and more. I watch my back. I learn and memorize my surroundings before I go. I research like crazy and then some more, and most importantly I trust my gut. I understand I am responsible for my own safety.
BUT aren’t you scared ? Sometimes yes. I am scared of a lot of things and if I let fear decide what I do and don’t do, well my life would be much more bland then the beautiful life I have created today. Fear isn’t enough to stop me and when I stare off into the sunrises and sunsets, over persistent waves, or rigid mountains, I am grateful and proud I never let fear win! And so sometimes I just do it scared.
My travels are never with out calculations, education,and training. I minimize all risk as much as I can and then I live.
-Emily