8 Life Lessons I Learned While Traveling Alone In Europe
Deep Dive
Takeaway: One year ago, I returned from my first solo adventure abroad. I compiled many of the eye-opening insights into a post I previously shared in the newsletter. In the spirit of reflection I am sharing those lessons again—but now with some added context that I can feel comfortable sharing with you.
I booked my trip to Lisbon hardly two weeks before I left. I hopped on a plane (barely, but that’s a story for another time) with nothing but my ticket and an address to an Airbnb where I would stay for two weeks.
I was embarking to a new, foreign place—completely alone.
The one bit of advice I hadn’t shared before is that at this time my engagement to my fiance was falling apart. We’d gotten engaged in Santorini, Greece some two months prior, and on Halloween of 2022 I’d gotten a gut punch I never expected.
My fiance didn’t want to get married anymore.
With only a vague explanation, and what appeared to be much inner turmoil for her, I made this offer: I would leave for two weeks to give her the space to figure out what she wanted.
I began by looking at destinations within the U.S., opting out of visiting family due various things they’d all had going on at the time.
I considered Austin, Texas. It was (and still is) a place I’d very much like to visit sometime. While doing my travel research, and through a moment of adventurous spirit, I decided to glance at a few European cities.
That is when I learned it would cost me just as much to spend two weeks in Portugal as it would to spend two weeks in Austin, Texas. The seed had been planted…
What if?
Some time later that same day, sitting in my car in the driveway, I called my mother. It was an emotional conversation where I shared everything with her, a cathartic release having kept it all to myself for weeks.
I told her of my plan and my choices between Texas and Portugal. She, without hesitation, encouraged Portugal. I walked inside and booked my flight.
I share this story with you to give a more accurate lens through which the following lessons came to be. I left on that trip at the lowest point I’ve ever experienced in my life, and I was unsure of what that life would look like when I returned home.
Portugal saved me. It reminded me of the person I was. It unlocked pieces of my soul that I didn’t know existed. It gave me new perspective, on myself and the world.
The version of me that left on this trip never returned home.
And in my travels I learned some valuable new insights in being. The insights are just as true today as when I originally published them a year ago. May we all read through a new lens of personal growth over the last year.
Enjoy,
~ Coach Alex
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8 Life Lessons I Learned While Traveling Alone In Europe
I’ve always wanted to take a solo trip to a different part of the world.
On the subject, people typically fall into one of two categories: those that like the idea of a solo trip, and those who would never entertain the idea.
Although it was something that I found interesting, I’d all but given up any hope of getting the opportunity. Life gets busy, vacations happen only so often, and it’s hard to carve that time for yourself when you’re also trying to share that time with others in your life.
But I finally got my opportunity.
I spent two weeks “living” in Lisbon, Portugal.
I use the word “living” purposefully here, because part of my experience was keeping up with many of my daily routines. I joined a gym. I cooked many of my own meals at my Airbnb apartment. I did laundry. I worked my normal hours (most of the time). It was fun and adventure mixed in with the hustle and bustle of the daily checklists.
Even with responsibilities thrown into the mix, my experience on that solo trip was nothing short of magical.
It opened my eyes to so many new parts of myself. It exposed me to so many new people; Great people from all over the world whom I never would have met otherwise. New friends that I hope to stay connected to for years to come.
Lisbon taught me so many things about the world and about myself, but I compiled them into the eight most important lessons from my adventures.
1. Sometimes go without a plan.
Routine and structure are great, they can keep you focused and productive. But routine also shrinks your world over time.
Let your world expand every now and then. There’s nothing more freeing than releasing expectations on yourself and letting the path unfold.
2. Sleep is important, but so is the occasional sleepless night. Learn to recognize when you need one or the other.
And unquestionably the most fun part of these crazy nights is retelling the stories the next day around breakfast.
3. If you need to get rid of coins, find a street performer that grabs your attention and drop it in their hat.
I always try to spend whatever cash I have on hand before returning home. The process of converting that small of an amount of euros simply isn’t worth the hassle.
Spending it on a street performer that caught your attention is the easiest way to achieve this.
4. Always keep a bottle of wine on hand.
You never know when you’ll make new friends that you can have over for deep conversations on the balcony. Balcony conversations are the best conversations.
5. When debating between equally good choices, take the action that makes for the better story.
It’s easy to stick to your comfort zone, but your comfort zone is boring. Go for the story. It’ll make you happier.
6. If you pass someone taking a selfie, offer to take their photo.
Those memories matter and everyone deserves an Instagram-worthy picture of their travels.
Bonus points if you learn just enough about how to frame a shot so you can blow their minds with an exceptional photo.
7. Give praise and encouragement to anyone doing their best.
While at a dance class, many beginners were afraid of not knowing the moves. I made sure to tailor our dance to what they could do, while helping to show them they could do more than they thought.
Then we celebrated the hell out of them. The smiles said it all.
You can never do wrong giving people positive encouragement.
8. No matter the places or things you see, what will make them truly special is the people you share them with.
Experiences, after all, serve the wondrous purpose of connecting souls.
Traveling alone, unlike anything else, gives you the opportunity to meet and connect with so many great people. Seize the opportunity.
~ Coach Alex