FEATURE
The Moment is NOW:
One Woman’s Solo Travel Adventure
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here to begin? This was truly a life-changing experience! For many years I felt the urge to travel and meet people from all over the world. However, factors like money, safety and relying on other people to take the leap “prevented” me from doing so myself. I believed if I didn’t save a specific amount of money and if I didn’t have friends that could or were willing to go on a spontaneous trip, that I would just have to wait for the “right” opportunity, for the “right” time. One night, feeling down for not following my heart to the experiences I wanted to have, I made a decision. Without thinking of my “buts,” I searched for flights to places I wanted to visit and booked a flight to Tulum, Mexico! Booking the flight felt both daring and empowering. I knew it was the right decision, as I knew that regardless of what was about to happen, I made it happen. After feeling that rush though, all the factors that previously prevented me from taking this leap came to mind. I felt uneasy about traveling alone as a woman in Mexico, so I started to question my decision. I gained back courage, as I realized I was about to do something for myself. I chose to stay in a hostel called the Mayan Monkey. Not only did it look like a place to meet amazing people but it felt the safest. Hostels host travelers and backpackers who are open to experiences and people, and that was exactly what I was looking for.
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To my surprise, I did more than that. I felt that a new part of me was born. This trip helped me gain confidence in myself. Why? I became someone who could do anything! I no longer needed to wait on someone, nor did I need to fixate on the ways I’d be risking my life simply by being a woman. I became more in tune with my instincts by being more trusting of my decisions and judgment. I arrived at the hostel and engaged in a conversation with the person sleeping under my bunk bed. That turned into us eating dinner together! We then met another traveler along the way, as we were all staying in the same room. They were both from Argentina and it felt so amazing to already be where I felt I needed to be. The three of us then headed back to the hostel and met more people. I connected with another person from Chile and ended up at a man-made pool that same night! The moment I landed back in the U.S.A, I felt content. This experience made me realize, it is only the beginning. Just like I decided to book that trip, you can decide to take that leap into whatever your heart is calling to. I would love for this story to become one of many more stories from other women. You don’t need a big savings account. You don’t need to wait for the right moment. The moment is now. Take the leap! By Sorelly Germosen
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