An Open Letter to Lone Travelers
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

An Open Letter to Lone Travelers

64
An Open Letter to Lone Travelers
http://www.blackseanews.net

Dear lone traveler,

I know how you feel. I know how hard it is to repress the urge to roll your eyes whenever someone says “You are so brave” after one look at your messy passport. Because when you jump into a plane and you close your eyes during take off, on those moments when you let go of all the anxieties –– did I pack enough socks? How about pants? Is this jacket warm enough? –– you feel anything but brave. Weightless? Maybe. Excited? Most probably. Free? Definitely. But, brave? Not really.

Now, let me tell you something: you are brave.

When I told people I was alone my first time in New York City I thought their eyes would pop out of their heads. Everyone immediately got concerned about my safety and my sanity, even though I had already done it and survived it. I know this has happened to you too, my fellow traveler. I know you’ve had to shrug off everybody’s concerns because you are too used to not carrying any worries at all. You flutter from one place to another, widening your eyes at the beauty and not the danger, you notice the opportunities and not the fears. And that is what makes you brave.

“Traveling is like flirting with life. It's like saying, 'I would stay and love you, but I have to go; this is my station.”
― Lisa St. Aubin de Terán

Because in a world that tells you that life is not complete until you find someone to share it with, a world that constantly undermines the importance of enjoying your own company, there is nothing braver than standing proudly and yelling: “I love myself!”

I was once told that you should travel at least three times in your life, once with each one of your families. First with the family you've got, your mother and father, your sisters and your brothers; secondly, with the family you found, meaning your friends; and finally, with the family you built, with your husband or wife, with your children. But what about traveling on your own? What about discovering places that you would overlook if walking with someone else? Sure, having company is nice, but it’s about time we enjoy our own company too.

People forget that when you travel by yourself life is more than tables for one and lots of selfies. Traveling alone is about walking at your own speed, entering that crazy coffee shop that most of your friends would ignore, taking the wrong subway and having to walk a few extra blocks, meeting kind strangers that will take a picture for you to send to your parents, and smiling to yourself at night when one more perfect day comes to an end. Traveling alone is about finding parts of yourself that are scattered all around the world. It’s about crazy stories to tell your friends and family when you go back home, it’s about finding the perfect gift for the special people that are waiting for you.

"To belong nowhere is a blessing and a curse, like any kind of freedom."
–– Leah Stewart

I know many of you have traveled longer distances than I have, and that you’ve had to endure the awkward conversation that starts with you saying “When I was in…” and inevitably ends in “What the hell were you thinking?!” But, as someone who is constantly looking at the world’s map and wondering where the next spot is, I am writing you this letter so that you never stop traveling. So that you never sit still when you know you should be running.

Mostly, I am writing to you to give you some advice I should start following myself: Don’t roll your eyes. You are brave, and you are powerful. So the next time someone comments on how brave you are for going out on an adventure by yourself –– even if they don’t mean it, even if you know “brave” is just a euphemism for “stupid,” –– you smile and say thank you. Because there’s nothing braver than loving yourself.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

22245
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949001
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

125899
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments