Solo Travel: My Honest First-Time Experience

The Initial Panic and Why I Finally Booked

Okay, so solo travel. It’s one of *those* things, isn’t it? Everyone seems to be doing it. Posting gorgeous pictures of themselves in exotic locales, looking all blissed out and independent. I always thought, “Yeah, that’s cool for *them*.” But me? Absolutely not. I’m a creature of habit. I love having someone else around to navigate, to split the cost of that overpriced cocktail, and honestly, to just make me feel less awkward.

But then… something shifted. My best friend moved across the country. My usual travel buddies were all suddenly super busy with, you know, *life*. And I had this burning desire to see Iceland. I had been researching it for years. The Blue Lagoon, the Northern Lights…it was calling my name. So, after weeks of agonizing and refreshing airline websites at 2 a.m. (thanks, insomnia!), I did it. I booked a solo trip. The sheer panic that followed? Unbelievable. I immediately texted my friend, “WHAT HAVE I DONE?!” I’m pretty sure she sent back a bunch of laughing emojis. Supportive, right? Honestly, I was terrified.

Iceland: Land of Fire and… Awkward Silences?

Iceland itself? Stunning. Seriously, the landscapes are out of this world. It’s like being on another planet. The geothermal areas smell a little funky, I won’t lie, but the whole experience is just…magical. I spent days driving the Ring Road, stopping at waterfalls that were bigger than buildings, and hiking through fields of black sand. I even saw the Northern Lights! Which, okay, I cried a little. It was just so beautiful and overwhelming.

But there was definitely an element of…awkwardness. Eating alone in restaurants. Trying to take decent selfies without looking like a total tourist (impossible, by the way). And the constant internal monologue of “Am I doing this right? Am I missing something?” It’s a lot. It’s a whole lot of being alone with your own thoughts, and sometimes, those thoughts aren’t exactly sunshine and rainbows. There were definitely moments when I missed having someone to share the experience with, someone to laugh with about the ridiculously expensive gas prices, or someone to take a decent picture of me in front of a glacier.

The Tourist Trap I Fell Into (and How I Got Out)

And speaking of touristy things… Ugh, the Blue Lagoon. Don’t get me wrong, soaking in warm, mineral-rich water with a silica mask on your face is pretty awesome. But the crowds! The sheer volume of people jostling for space, taking selfies every two seconds…it totally killed the vibe for me. I spent way too much time worrying about getting my phone stolen than actually enjoying myself.

I almost let that experience ruin the whole trip. I started thinking, “Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.” But then, I remembered reading about a smaller, less crowded geothermal pool called the Secret Lagoon. It was a bit of a drive, but I figured, what did I have to lose? And honestly, it was a game-changer. It was quiet, peaceful, and felt so much more authentic. I even struck up a conversation with a local woman who gave me some amazing recommendations for hikes. That’s when I realized, maybe solo travel wasn’t about being a super-independent Instagram influencer. Maybe it was about pushing myself outside my comfort zone and finding those hidden gems.

Would I Do It Again? The Million-Dollar Question.

So, would I go on another solo trip? That’s the question I get asked the most. And honestly, I’m still not entirely sure. It wasn’t the life-altering, epiphany-filled experience that everyone makes it out to be. There were definitely moments of loneliness and self-doubt. But there were also moments of incredible freedom and self-discovery. I learned that I’m capable of more than I thought I was. I navigated foreign roads, communicated with people who spoke a different language, and even managed to assemble a complicated piece of Ikea furniture in my Airbnb (don’t ask).

Funny thing is, a few months later, I ended up going to a conference. I met someone from London and, well, we’ve been talking nearly every day since. Now we’re planning a trip *together* next year. I never would have had the confidence to even strike up a conversation if I hadn’t forced myself out there. Who knows, maybe solo travel *did* change my life, just not in the way I expected.

If you’re considering a solo trip, I say go for it. But don’t expect it to be perfect. Embrace the awkwardness, the loneliness, and the inevitable tourist traps. Just remember to be open to new experiences, talk to strangers (safely, of course!), and don’t be afraid to get lost. Because sometimes, the best discoveries are the ones you make when you’re not even looking. And if you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into researching some mindful travel tips to prepare yourself before heading out! You might even find a travel buddy along the way.