Wandering Dawn

A California girl exploring the world

solo travel

My Top 3 Solo Travel Tips

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Are you curious about solo travel but haven’t taken the plunge yet? Maybe you’re about to embark on your first trip and are looking for a bit of reassurance. I feel you! I was soooo nervous before my first trip. No matter your travel experience or destination, my top 3 tips for an enjoyable solo travel experience are here to help you feel safe and social.

Don’t let fear hold you back from traveling on your own. Solo travel is my favorite way to explore AND meet people!

1. Get connected before you even set foot on the plane

Unless you’re looking to be 100% alone for 100% of the time (no judgment), I highly recommend making a couple of connections before you even arrive at your destination. My favorite way to do that is using WorkAway. You can find volunteer programs (some even offer free food and lodging) or meet up with other travelers in your area. I had a girl contact me in San Diego before I even left for my Latin America trip, and we met up for coffee to discuss our plans. A couple of months later, we met up for a trek in Ecuador because we knew our paths would cross there. How cool is that!? I also started my solo travels by volunteering for 3 weeks at a kid’s camp in Quito. An organization found my profile on WorkAway and reached out to me. I made a few lifelong friends there, and got some travel buddies who explored Ecuador with me for several weeks.

2. Stay in hostels…or at least hang out at them

I know some of you may be thinking “I’m too old for this” but hear me out. You don’t have to stay in a dorm. (I always do! #notashamed) You can book a private room with a private bathroom if you want. Not only is this generally a cheaper option, but you can connect with other travelers so much easier than you would if you were staying in a hotel chain. If you absolutely will not stay in a hostel, at least consider finding the most popular one at your destination, and going to one of their events. Some of them open up parties, concerts, tours, and even game nights to the public. Others are a bit more strict on their “guests only” policy. Do your research. Ps. Some hostels are quite fancy! You might enjoy the experience. Keep an open mind. ; )

3. Let someone know how to reach you

I love going off grid, but it’s nice to know that someone always knows how to find me…just in case. I tell my parents when I am going somewhere remote, like the jungle, or on a multiple day trek. One time I ended up somewhere that didn’t have wifi, and I wasn’t using cell service at the time. My parents were trying to get in touch with me with a family announcement, and since I’m normally very connected on WhatsApp, they freaked out when I didn’t respond…They ended up calling the US Embassy to come find me in Guatemala! Since then, I always send my family my current location. : ) Some may call this overkill; I call it being responsible. I also recommend registering in the US STEP Program (if you’re a US citizen) or whatever program your country offers. You simply put in your travel dates and where you’re staying. The US will email you travel alerts, like if a protest is going on in your area, and know how to reach you in case of emergency.

Solo travel is my favorite pastime. It doesn’t have to be scary. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be lonely. Just be smart about how you approach it and enjoy the ride!

If you’re interested in learning more about how to travel solo, check out my new digital course where I will be there to support you every step of the way! asiadawn.co/travelsolo

What are your favorite solo travel tips?

An Ode To Female Solo Travel

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The start to my solo travels was a bit unexpected. Cliche, perhaps, but definitely unplanned.

Travel was always a passion of mine, but it never occurred to me to do it on my own. Until one day it did.

When my husband of less than 3 months told me we had made a “mistake” to get married, my entire world was turned upside down. I didn’t know what to do or where to go next. I also didn’t realize how much of myself I had put into that 9 year relationship…until it was over. Who was I without my other half?

And so began my journey of self-discovery all over again at the age of 31.

I went from a blushing bride, to a newly single woman, living at home with my parents, and questioning everything. That’s when I decided to do something completely controversial: I said adios to my old life and booked a one-way ticket to South America.

Solo travel literally changed my life.

My “former life” was MBA corporate marketing girl, playing by all the “rules” and planning everything to a T. My “new life” encompassed feelings of freedom and adventure…nothing and everything was part of the plan. I backpacked solo (and jobless) for one year. It gave me the courage to live life on my own terms. Now I’m living in Mexico City, running my own coaching business, and getting paid to travel and write! I had no idea I would end up here. But I am so grateful that I did. And I have solo travel to thank for it.

Everyone should have the opportunity to travel solo.

I didn’t just wake up after my divorce one day and decide to do it. It was a bit more subtle than that, and honestly, I was just taking life one day at a time. Going through a divorce isn’t easy. Some of you may know already know that.

Part of my healing process was getting in touch with my spiritual side. I went deeper into my yoga practice and started meditating. I found a holistic therapist. I also made sure to travel. I took a girls’ trip to Nicaragua and had weekend getaways. Like everyone said, things actually started to get easier over time…but it still felt like something was missing.

Solo travel can help you find whatever it is you are looking for.

I started to get curious about what truly made me happy. (You know, the deep work.) So often we find ourselves going through the motions in life without ever stopping to think about what it is we’re doing or why. Are we waking up and going to a 9-5 job because someone told us we’re supposed to, or are we doing work that not only pays the bills, but also fulfills us? Are we getting married because everyone else is doing it, or because that’s the kind of partnership we truly desire? I began to question #allthethings.

Sometimes it takes a jarring moment to wake us up and realize we had been living someone else’s dream. Now that I had gotten the hard part out of the way, I was ready to live MINE.

My corporate job wasn’t making me happy any longer, and in my heart, I knew I had to leave. I was ready to leave both the corporate world and the country. I had always wanted to live abroad, but never did it because I didn’t want to leave my partner, and honestly, because it sounded scary.

It was finally time to go out and explore who I was as a woman on my own. And with that, I embarked on my first solo travel experience ever and took a flight to Quito.

Solo travel is a thrill.

I spent nearly one year backpacking from Ecuador to Mexico, and WOW! What an adventure! I survived my bus getting robbed at gunpoint in Colombia (yes, guns were actually shot on my bus!). I volunteered with children. I built houses. I climbed volcanoes. I spent days on remote beaches. I slept on a cargo ship. I learned how to salsa. I collected some of the most memorable experiences of my life (so far). But most importantly, I lived outside of my comfort zone and started to find myself as Asia Dawn, an empowered single woman who could do it all on her own.

Solo travel gave me confidence and clarity.

A very special moment for me was waking up in a tent, on the beach somewhere in the Choco jungle of Colombia, on what would have been my two year wedding anniversary. I could hear the ocean. I could smell the sea. I could feel the sweat beading on my skin as I shed a few tears. Tears for my past life, and tears for my new life on the road as a single woman. I was really f’ing proud of myself. My heart hurt much less than it did one year ago, and I felt freer than ever before. I was finally starting to feel grateful for everything I had been through.

Solo travel healed me.

Travel has been the one constant throughout my life that makes me feel unlike anything else. It makes me feel free, empowered, and excited about life. I get into a curious mindset as I meet new people and immerse myself in different cultures. I get pushed outside of my comfort zone just enough to keep things exciting and keep me growing. As far as I’m concerned, each day has the potential to be life-changing, as long as we are open to it.

Solo travel opened me up in ways that nothing else ever has.

As a solo female traveler, I live in the moment and open myself up to new experiences along the way. I may be “alone”, but I never feel alone. If I choose to settle down somewhere (or with someone) one day, I will still continue to have my solo travel time. It’s so important to me, and we must continue to do the things in life that make us feel alive. If not, what is life for?

Solo travel is F*CKING AMAZING. And it’s totally attainable.

If you are curious about solo travel, I am here to tell you to stop wondering and start doing! You won’t regret it! You will grow in ways that may surprise you. You will learn so much about yourself. You will laugh. You will probably cry. You will undoubtedly have whatever experiences it is that your soul is calling for.

Solo travel doesn’t have to be scary.

If you’re thinking about doing the solo travel thing, I hope I can serve as an example for you. I hope you are starting to see that it IS possible. That you don’t need tens of thousands of dollars to do it. (I lived on under $30/day.) That you don’t have to have it all figured out. (I went from a type A over planner to someone who adopted the go with the flow mentality.) That it’s perfectly acceptable to do what YOU want. Be a badass solo female traveler if that is what calls to you. I know that’s what calls to me.

Solo travel will empower you.

It’s my message and my passion on International Women’s Day to empower other women to experience what has already given me so much. If you’d like some guidance as you prepare for your travels, I am here for you.

Don’t let fear hold you back any longer.

Ladies, you deserve to live a life on your own terms, just as I am doing today in Mexico City. It may have taken me a divorce and heartbreak to figure it out (insert cliche and Eat, Pray, Love moment), but I am so grateful for all of it. Knowing what I know now, my former life wasn’t mine to live any longer. I was destined for so much more.

View of San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador

Solo travel allowed me to discover who I truly am.

If you want some more tips on solo travel, check out my online course here! {www.asiadawn.co/travelsolo}

With love and besos from Mexico City,

Asia Dawn

Things I’ve Learned While Traveling (the deep stuff)

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Hello again! I’m back from my unintentional period of silence. My travel pace quickened, and I enjoyed every moment, in the moment. I didn’t even think to press pause and sit down to write, but now that I’m in Mexico City for 2 weeks (que lindo!!), I have more time to reflect and do just that. My trip is also coming to an end next month, and there is so much I want to say and share about my journey!

I recently hit 10 months of solo travel. 10 months! That is a long time, right?! When I set out on my trip, I didn’t have a return date, but I kind of assumed it would be around 6 months based on budget. I picked up some good habits early on (thanks, Hannah!) so I lived well under $30/day all in. Ultimately, I decided to go home in June for a variety of reasons, but I really don’t see my life abroad ending any time soon. I actually want to move to Mexico later this year…More on that as it unfolds. ; )

As I sit and reflect on my time from Ecuador to Mexico, I realize how much I’ve learned, and I want to share these tidbits. Maybe some of them will resonate with you. If not, that’s ok too. : )

1. Money isn’t everything

I’m pretty sure I’ve heard this my entire life, but in the United States, we are given mixed messages. Money = life. Money = success. Money = happiness. That the people who say that money isn’t everything only say it because they don’t have money. But I do and I will, so it IS everything. But really? Once we’ve surpassed the basic levels of necessity and comfort, how much more do we really need to make us happy? I think we easily get caught up in what everyone else in our bubble is doing. It can feel difficult not to compete, especially once we’ve had a taste of it. Don’t get me wrong. I still love a fancy dinner, new shoes, and a glass of good wine every now and then, but that isn’t everything nor is it necessary every single day. I am still so very happy when I’m taking public transportation, chatting with the locals in foreign countries, and trying street food. I’m happy when I’m making new friends, journaling, or listening to a podcast. I am still happy when I’m not shopping at Nordstroms (my fave department store! #respect) or paying $50 for a sit-down dinner. As long as I am safe, comfortable with myself, and in good company, my heart is full. Now, I’m not saying the finer things in life aren’t worth enjoying. I’ve just realized that the more I used to fight for salary and status, the less directly it correlated to my happiness. I was very happy living a simple, bohemian lifestyle this past year. Let’s call it a shift in perspective.

2. Worrying about the future is pointless

I have a bit more anxiety than the average person, or at least before this trip I would say I did. Sometimes traveling alone can be scary. It’s definitely a little stressful figuring out logistics from place to place in a foreign country, and sometimes I would work myself up so much over something that hadn’t even happened yet. What was I worrying for? It’s so much nicer to do a little upfront planning, live in the moment, and then trust that everything will work out. I also stopped stressing over what seemed to be everyone else’s question…”What do I want to do next? What do I want to do with my life??” How about this. I want to do whatever will make me happy right now. I don’t know what that will be 1, 3, or 5 years from now, and I am OK with that. There is no need to worry. In a more practical sense, if you have a job and a family to support, of course you need to think about the future. I’m just saying, don’t kill yourself worrying about tomorrow. Do your part to plan and then trust in the process. As Gabby Bernstein would say, the Universe has your back. (Definitely read her book if you haven’t already!)

3. I can be happier with less

This kind of goes with the money isn’t everything point. I’ve been living out of a backpack, wearing the same clothing, rarely applying makeup, and hardly making a purchase outside of food, lodging, and transport. Am I sad that I missed the latest movie in theatres or didn’t buy those adorable flats? Nope. In fact, I’m hardly even thinking about those things because I am spending my time and money on things that matter to me even more right now…travel and experiences. I know that travel and cultural immersion fulfill me, so I am going to embrace this realization. The experiences and memories I’ve made will certainly last longer than a pair of new jeans. (I actually do need a new pair of jeans, though, so perhaps that was a bad example!)  Also, think about the saying “less is more.” I’ve really found that to be true on my travels, and I’m not just talking about materialistic things. The less complication there is in life, the better. Keep friendships that matter, but don’t worry about overexerting yourself to please everyone. Slow down, and enjoy the simple things in life. A kiss from your lover. A giggle from your child. Whatever that means to you. Less stress and less drama leave room for more of the good things to enter your life.

4. Speaking the truth is liberating

When I first set out on this trip, I was really worried that people would ask me why I started traveling. Luckily idgaf what people think much anymore (another thing I’ve learned on this trip!) but in the beginning, I was afraid of looking like an Eat Pray Love cliche. “Why did I decide to travel? Well it was a chain reaction really. It first started with my divorce…and then that lead me to realize that I wasn’t happy in my job…so I thought, why am I continuing to do something that doesn’t make me happy? I SHOULD BE HAPPY! We all should…And now here I am! Ta da!” It turns out that sharing my story in one form or another actually allowed me to heal. At first it was scary, but once I realized that people weren’t there to judge me, and I could stop placing judgement on myself, I let it flow more freely. And it felt good.

5. I am not defined by my past

I spent a lot of time journaling and reflecting, and travel was like a form of therapy. Good news. I learned that the past does not define me. Nor does it define you. I think we can all learn from it, pick up the pieces, make a beautiful mosaic, and move on to make whatever we want out of this life. I am grateful that I had the time, resources, and opportunity to do this for myself because I really needed to get out of my head.

6. I need to live an unconventional life

I have met so many amazing people from around the world, and I find it fascinating to hear about their lives. No one lives the same life nor has the same dream. If you told me that I was going to fly home to San Diego in two weeks, move downtown, and work in a corporate 9-5 job, I wouldn’t get on the plane. That is not going to work for me right now, and I know it deep down in my soul. It took me a while to get to this realization since I’ve been programmed to think I need to behave and live in a certain way, but I’ve come to terms with what I want to do next, and it doesn’t involve a house, husband, kids, or heels. (Ok, maybe heels sometimes!) I don’t have the full picture of what it entails yet, but I prefer it that way. “The old Asia” would have had an issue with not being able to see a particular linear path in life. “The new Asia” (as my grad school friends have recently called me) is less uptight and way more fun! In short, I have learned to go with the flow. Now who has got tickets to Burning Man?

7. My intuition knows what’s up

This is a big one. Historically, I have had a hard time trusting my intuition. I would drown it out with rationalization and a busy schedule. But you know that feeling you get sometimes deep down inside, maybe in the pit of your stomach or in the tightness of your chest? The one that is screaming at you to do something different, but you just don’t want to hear it because change would be too hard? That, my dear friends, is your intuition waiting to be heard. I meditate now and I’m still learning how to respond to it, but I am on the right path towards making the right decisions for me now…not based on what I think I should be doing because other people are already doing it. I think this is also called becoming a grownup.

8. I can do it all by myself!

Yes I can! Sí, yo puedo! After spending nearly a decade in a relationship, I wasn’t exactly sure what it would be like or feel like to live a solo life. Guess what? It is liberating! I’ve learned that I can travel the world on my own and find happiness in myself and in my ever-changing surroundings. I can explore new places, make new friends, take a dance class, sing Reggaeton, swim in the ocean, survive crazy bus rides, you name it. I can make my own decisions and I am free to do whatever I want. Basically, I can run this town! (Cue music. I still heart Jay-Z. That much hasn’t changed.)

I’m sure I have learned so much more that I haven’t been able to articulate yet, but I think this is a great start, and I will be sure to share more insights as they come to me. (That list will also include practical things, like how to travel without a phone plan and what to do with the toilet paper in Latin America!)

Have you ever had a life-changing experience that caused you to think about life differently?