My boyfriend of two and a half years broke the long silence with the question we were both wondering: “Are we still going?”
We were supposed to be driving to the airport to leave for our five-day trip to Lisbon. Instead, we’d had an argument over the phone that morning that left me questioning how we’d even make it through a flight, let alone an international trip.
Our relationship had been rocky for quite some time, but our travel plans were fast approaching, and I didn’t want to give them up. The good news is we were flying standby, so our tickets were 100% refundable.
“You don’t want to go?” I asked. “I can cancel your ticket right now.”
Turns out, he didn’t think it was a good idea to still travel together — but, hey, I love a solo trip. We split. I kept my plane ticket.
My adrenaline was high and my heart was racing, but I ultimately felt relieved as I drove to the Boston airport alone, and boarded my flight.
Despite shedding a few tears at first, I had an incredible trip
I cried a few times during the flight, but I couldn’t stop smiling when I heard the pilot say, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Lisbon.”
I was so proud of myself for making it there alone — and, from there, the trip was surprisingly smooth.
Since I’d used my credit-card points to book our hotel room, it was already in my name. I’d planned our whole itinerary myself anyway, so I just followed it on my own.
Though I shed a few more tears while coping with our breakup, I found exploring a new country was a wonderful way to clear my mind.
Over the next few days, I wandered around Lisbon’s many viewpoints, ate amazing food, drank great wine, and even made some friends.
While at a café, two girls noticed I was by myself and asked me to join their table. We spent over an hour divulging our life stories to each other.
The next day, I went on a guided excursion to Sintra, a beautiful town about 30 minutes away from Lisbon. At the beginning of the tour, a woman and her niece started chatting with me, and asked if I was alone.
When I told them about the breakup, they decided to “adopt” me. We spent the day together hiking to Pena Palace (the town’s colorful castle on a hill) and exploring the local shops.
Throughout the trip, I couldn’t stop thinking about how much happier I was than if I had come with my boyfriend. I got to enjoy the city at my own pace, without worrying about keeping the peace in my unstable relationship.
I’m grateful that I had the guts to visit a new country on my own
Fortunately, solo travel was not a new concept for me.
No matter my relationship status, I’ve always made time to travel on my own and, as a flight attendant, it comes naturally. It’s nice to not have to worry about anyone else’s budget or availability — I can just go where I want, when I want.
Traveling solo was so in-character for me that when I posted about it on my Instagram, the only people who realized anything was wrong (or that I was fresh out of a relationship) were the ones I’d told.
Later on, my friends told me they were proud of me for choosing to go on the trip alone. However, not going was never an option to me.
If I hadn’t already been comfortable with traveling solo, I probably wouldn’t have had the guts to go to Portugal by myself, and I would’ve missed out on what became an amazing, healing trip.
Honestly, I’d encourage everyone to try solo travel, regardless of their relationship status. Navigating a new place on your own is a huge confidence boost and the best way to get to know yourself.
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