About two weeks ago, I posted my fears about going on vacation alone. And people were amazing at giving feedback and sharing their experiences on this blog, along with Twitter and Facebook.
So, I thought I would post a little update.
I AM GOING ON VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I’m going alone.
After that post, I thought a lot about what people said and the feedback from those who had traveled alone and I realized, that this is something I have to get over.
Sure, traveling with friends or family can be fun (or stressful) but the reality is: I need to learn to travel alone and be okay with it.
Because the alternative is that I don’t ever go on vacation, sit around and dream about things I would do if I only had someone with me to go.
F*ck that.
I used to be much more confident about stuff like this. When I lived overseas, I traveled alone all the time, in countries where English wasn’t even the first language and I was fine.
Somewhere along the way, I lost that confidence and now I’m trying to get it back.
Am I nervous? Sure. Am I still battling some insecurity? You bet, but considering the alternative, I want to do it.
So I put airfare on hold, looked into hotel and got my vacation time approved. Then I told a friend about it and he was less than supportive, asking why I would do something like that, why I couldn’t take a friend and being overall skeptical.
Enter self doubt.
Fortunately, I have some great friends on Twitter who helped me sort through it and you know what, I booked that flight and hotel and now I cannot wait.
So where am I going?
New Orleans!
And another location, which is TBD!
Right now I’m deciding between Denver, DC and San Francisco. Of course, I cannot make up my mind now about where I want to go. But I have to just remember to take it one step at a time because I have to take a full week in June too.
But I’ll work it out :) Either way, some kind of trip is happening.
What is the one place you would really like to travel to?
New movie review: I’m jumping in to review Hot Tub Time Machine.
Yay! I am so proud of you. I know this wasn’t easy, and I think it’s so cool you pushed yourself to do it. Plus, I LOVE New Orleans. Can’t wait to hear more.
How exciting! You should be proud of yourself. :)
Great idea and I’m sure New Orleans would be fun to wonder around alone. Just be safe!!
Awesome! I’ve never been to New Orleans, but from all of the stories I’ve heard, it sounds like the perfect place for a single girl! ;-)
For your next trip? San Fran, all the way! That city is AMAZING! Actually, that’s where M & I eventually want to live. There’s so much to do & everything is so beautiful!
I have always wanted to go to New Orleans and I love the South. Have a wonderful time!
I used to do a lot of travelling on my own and love love loved it! I always met people and had a good time. When I wanted alone time, I had it.
I went to Ireland ALONE for two weeks. It was awesome and it changed me for the better.
Have a great time. I have never been to NOLA but will someday get there alone or with someone.
You’ll have such a wonderful time! Traveling alone can be wonderful and as a blogger you’ll have friends to visit almost everywhere you go =) Can’t wait to hear more!
Have fun! I’m so glad you decided to take that plunge–it will be so worth it!
yay! i love new orleans, it is such a fun city, you will have an amazing time, woo woo!
Yay! I’m so happy for you! I vote that your second vacation be to Denver, but I am biased :)
Yay I’m so happy for you!! I think you are going to have a FABULOUS time!
Good for you! Sounds like a blast. I could NEVER do it. I think that it sounds very freeing though!
have fun!!! as you know i love traveling by myself! i’ve always wanted to go to nola, my sister will be moving there in december and i can’t wait to visit her!
i looove dc! but i would also love to go to denver as i haven’t been there. i need to do more traveling this year! (i say this as i’m on vacation, haha!)
You’ll have so much fun.
How fun…I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans!
Good for you! And boo on your friend, although I have to wonder if his attitude is covering for his own insecurity. Maybe he’s scared to travel alone.
At the moment I am dreaming of camping somewhere near the ocean — I’d love to get to San Diego sometime soon to visit friends and just mellow. In the meantime, I’m staying focused on our summer camping vaca to the Dakotas. :)
Congrats!! This is awesome news! I went to NOLA with my dad after graduating from college and loved it!
For me, I want to visit the Pacific Northwest. I’ve never been there and have a feeling I’d love it :)
Wow, that’s so great, I really admire you! That’s totally something I would like to check off my bucket list someday…
Enjoy! Sounds like a great trip.
There are still so many places I want to visit, but a few are on the list for the next few months/year. We’re going to travel through Italy for 5 weeks this summer (visiting Florence and Venice), and my in-laws are taking us to New York this fall (which will be my first ever visit to America).
Let me tell you – New Orleans is a blast. It’s so much fun. I love everything about that city. Make sure to take a haunted walk and eat get coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde.
I’ve always wanted to do a vacay on my own, I’m sure you will have a blast. I’ve never been to New Orleans, so I’m jealous!
I am so happy you decided to go. Maybe the most rewarding part of this will be showing the naysayers that you CAN vacation alone!
Traveling alone and traveling with others both have their positives and their negatives. But there is plenty to love about traveling alone, so don’t listen to your friend. He’s just too scared to do it, and so he turns that fear into naysaying.
And yay for New Orleans! That’s such a fun city. I love the other three too, but San Francisco is definitely my favorite of the three with Denver a close second.
That’s awesome! New Orleans is fabulous and beautiful, and your tourist dollars will be *greatly* appreciated :) And I highly recommend SF. Denver is great, but I just feel like SF is a more entertaining city–and easier to get around imo.
Vacationing alone rules. And NOLA rules (I have about 8000 suggestions of stuff to do there if you need help, ha). Also, let me know if you decide to go to DC. I’m definitely going to head there for a weekend sometime after I graduate (so, June or later). If we coordinate schedules we can both go alone but meet up occasionally. =)
That’s something I’ve never done, but have always wanted to try. I’m glad you’re doing it!
I want to go to Hawaii and Alaska and the Greek Islands and Bora Bora…my list is quite huge and expensive sounding…eek!
My friend works on cruise ships that go to Hawaii and Alaska and I really am tempted to become a stowaway!!
Aww, don’t mind your friend. He’s just being narrow minded, people wont go far with that kind of thinking :p
Have fun in New Orleans, hope you take a lot of pictures.
Ps.for now i really wanna go to Japan, see cherry blossoms in spring and go to their hotspring resorts in the mountain. Probably eat a lot of good food while people watching in Tokyo. Problem is if i get lost, not many people can speak english.lol.
I have never been to New Orleans. I think it’s awesome that you’re taking the plunge. Think of it this way: when you go with someone, you have to do stuff they like, too. You won’t have to do anything you don’t want to do!
Awesome. Good for you! I’ve traveled quite a bit by myself. Never internationally, but I’ve given myself the luxury weekend at a B&B and have gone on many road trips on my own. It’s definitely a different experience than going with friends, family, etc., but it is SO freeing and liberating not having anyone around whom you have to plan your schedule. So excited for you!
Kick arse. Get me something good. Traveling alone is grand I tell you.
I can not tell you how many times I have traveled by myself. I did it about 5 yrs running to the Wine Country of California (and I do not even drink). I have gone to Florida by myself and Southern Ca.It is a real learning experience to rely just on yourself.
Enjoy your vacation.
You’re going to have so much fun!! I’m going to live vicariously through you because I’ve never been to NOLA.
as for where I’d like to travel to: Europe, more specifically Croatia. we’ll see where Chris picks for the honeymoon. (dreading his pick!)
Nice job! I think NO should be the perfect place for a single gal :-)
Have you been to DC before? If not, I totally suggest that as your other trip. That was one of the few times I vacationed alone and loved it. I could spend as much time in the museums or at the memorials as *I* wanted without worrying about anyone else.
Ohhhhhh you’re going!!! That’s great! I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans. What fun!
I think you’ll truly enjoy SF – I lived in Berkeley and I always loved going to SF on weekends. It’s definitely one of my favorite cities to be… You’ll love it.
Oh wait, I thought you’re coming to FL to see me!!!! LOL
xoxo
Good for you! I’ve never taken a trip all alone (other than to go study abroad in France), but it’s on my “101 in 1001″ list.
Wooo! Go you!! Can’t wait to hear all about it and live vicariously through you since I obviously don’t have the confidence to travel alone.
Did you check out that article in SELF I told you about?
I vote for DC or San Fran as your other option. DC is my favorite city, and San Fran is gorgeous :-)
I’m so proud of you! That was my feeling last year too, I can sit around and dream or I’m going to go see the world.
omg good for you!!! and you MUST go to Denver for your next trip! I can tell you 100 things to do in colorado – best place ever. :)
Good for you!! The trip will be an amazing one and you will have such a fantastic time. I’m proud of you for conquering your fear and taking the plunge. If you go to DC for your next trip, I’ll come visit. I love DC. When I did my internship there I wandered around all the time by myself.
OMG! NOLA is one of my favorite cities ever! (Oh hi…I’m Nikki…I’m an occasional lurker.) My brother lives there and although I’m currently in Illinois, I make any excuse I can to visit him. SO jealous! You’re going to have a blast!
that is so great!!! I’ve always wanted to visit NOLA – just to soak in some the history that I’ve read about and, who am I kidding, THE FOOD.
have a beignet (or two) for me!
Way to go! I know you are going to have the time of your life. Scary yes, but you will someday recall it as one of the most awesome things you did for yourself. I can’t wait to hear all about it.