5 Badass Women Solo Travelers I Met in Asia

Happy Women’s History Month! I’m super excited to spend this month sharing some personal stories about my experiences as a woman, tidbits about women that inspire me, and things we can do change the world.

I recently spent a month traveling solo in Southeast Asia. With only a 40 liter backpack, my passport, and an outgoing personality, I made my way around Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore. Despite the three days of debilitating food poisoning, I had an incredible time and I would absolutely attribute it to the amazing people I met along the way

Obviously already a huge advocate for solo travel, (see my previous post titled: “5 Tips to Empower You To Book a Solo Trip“), I was overwhelmed by how many people have been shocked that I, a woman, would travel by myself. Many were fearful of my safety or stunned by my bravery. I assured them that I was not alone and that there were many women like me, traveling solo in the region and that none of us felt unsafe or extraordinarily brave.

On the contrary, the women solo travelers I met were inherently curious, independent, and confident. Each one with a different reason to be away from home but seeking adventure and life-altering experiences. Here are some of the badass women solo travelers I met and what solo travel means to them.

ATHENA from Canada

I met Athena at the beginning of my trip, in Ho Chi Mihn, Vietnam. She is a civil engineer in Glasgow, Scotland, and was on holiday for a few days.

A lot of people ask me why I travel by myself, and the long and short of it is how liberating it is. I’m on my own schedule, learning everything I can with only myself in my head. It’s almost a way to reinstate my faith in humanity. The world is SO beautiful, unique and people are lovelier than you can imagine and it’s hard to meet them sometimes when you’re traveling with others. It forces you to observe the people and places around you.
Athena

Follow Athena on Instagram – @Athensf

MIKI from Israel

Miki had just completed her service in the IDF and was traveling around Asia for months when we met in Siem Reap, Cambodia. After a few weeks home, she is about to pack up her bag again and set out for South America.

For me solo traveling is about the opportunities. Only when you’re by yourself you get to get to know the people around you in the most intimate level, only then you find yourself dancing with locals in the streets or eating in places you never considered before. You learn about yourself and the world in a way you could not explore in any other way.

Miki

MIRRE from the Netherlands

Mirre was just beginning her gap year trip when we met in Bangkok, Thailand.

I have been traveling alone for 7 weeks, and it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. On an emotional level. Being alone, but surrounded by other people who are traveling together can be confronting. Yet, it gave me so much energy to realize I was still going. Doing it all by myself, it made me proud.
Mirre

Follow Mirre on Instagram – @MirreLicht

VANESSA from Germany

Vanessa, a brand manager on holiday over Christmas, was making her way through Vietnam when our paths crossed in Ho Chi Minh.

For me, traveling solo means getting myself out there in an unknown but exciting and beautiful world. It also means getting out of my comfort sone, which can be scary at times, but I’m always rewarded with meeting awesome people and having a great experience.
Vanessa

Follow Vanessa on Instagram – @_vnss_

CHERRELLE from the UK

Cherrelle quit her job and is on a year-long solo travel adventure. Cherrelle encouraged me to try insect cuisine when we met in Bangkok, Thailand.

For me traveling has always been something I’ve craved to do from such a young age. For it to be so accessible and accepted to travel solo as a female now is phenomenal!

It’s so easy to live life nowadays in a comfortable box, with people never pushing their boundaries. For me, living is all about stepping into the unknown and experiencing new cultures, people and food.

My advice would be if it scares you, do it!
Cherrelle

Follow Cherrelle on Instagram – @cherrelle08

5 Tips to Empower You to Book a Solo Trip

A few weeks ago I returned from my 5th solo trip. Friends and colleagues praised me for my courage to take on travel by myself, and like usual, I shrugged off their remarks. Solo travel has never felt any more brave or different than normal travel for me. Maybe it’s my natural independent disposition or familiarity being alone from spending decades as an only child.

I’ve become a HUGE advocate for solo trips since my first one in 2014. I constantly encourage all of my friends, especially those in their 20s, to go for it! Even those who aren’t naturally inclined to hop on a plane by themselves will takeaway something valuable. If you’re considering a solo trip, here are some tips to empower you to book it!

Make Loneliness Your B*tch
Almost everyone I talk to about solo travel generally fears loneliness. I’ll admit that some of my more awkward moments on solo trips were when I was navigating moments alone, many of which were mealtimes. Whether that was in Madrid when my waitress agreed to make a “special” paella-for-one plate, which wasn’t offered on the menu, or in Hong Kong when my waitress failed to warn me that what I ordered was actually meant to serve 10 people and left feeling guilty for leaving most of it untouched.

There is comfort in having a guaranteed travel companion, but more often then not, you’ll feel it will be easier to make some incredible friends and amazing memories. It might take a little effort and be slightly daunting to approach a stranger, but you’re likely to be met with a more friendly response than you’d imagine.

Don’t be Hostile About Hostels
Each time I book a trip I have the same internal debate – “Am I getting too old for a hostel?” I still have this stigma that hostels are only for poor study abroad students or college backpackers, but each trip I’m proven wrong. Hostels are also perfect for all traveling alone looking to meet people from around the world.

When selecting a hostel for a solo trip I usually exam the venue’s reviews for four main criteria – cleanliness, safety, location and environment/culture.

Cleanliness – I think this is pretty obvious, but making sure reviewers said the place was kept clean and habitable.

Safety – As a solo traveller, I want to make sure the hostel is in a safe neighborhood, that the hostel has safety measures in place to keep anyone unwanted out and that those who have travelled there before as solo travelers have felt safe staying their previously.

Location – It’s important to know what type of neighborhood the hostel is in before you go and make sure you’re in close proximity to important things like mass transit, the city center, etc. The last thing you want to realize when you arrive is that your hostel, while affordable, is in a terrible, inaccessible, shit-hole.

Environment/Culture – This is definitely the criteria I use to make my final decision. I look at reviews that give me a sense of what type of experience I’m going to have and what type of people I would likely encounter. Larger venues often attract bigger groups (tours and schools), which aren’t as open to interacting with “outsiders”. Reviews that mention making friends or meeting others usually appeal the most to me.

Raise a Glass to Freedom

This is actually the part of solo travel I love and fear the most. All of the planning is in your hands and you can be as structured or as spontaneous as you want. You can have a plan in the morning and throw it out the window as soon as you step outside. Personally, I like to go with a mix of planned activities and winging it.

Not having anyone else to determine your itinerary gives you the flexibility to do whatever you want. It also puts all the pressure on your shoulders to create the best experience for yourself. Before my first solo trip I was terrified I would let myself down because I didn’t have enough time to plan every detail. As the days went on, I was able to shake the nervousness and just try to enjoy each moment, planned or improvised.

While that pressure still haunts me leading up to every trip I plan, I wouldn’t exchange it for the freedom. On a solo trip you can be an empowered “yes” man and go wherever the wind takes you.

Don’t Be A F*cking Idiot

Normally, this is great advice for life in general, but when you’re traveling solo you really have to remember it all the time. I often forget it once (or twice) during my trips, and while that often leads to fantastic stories, they can be moments you reflect on later and think to yourself, “I probably shouldn’t have done that”.

Yes, solo travelers can easily be targeted or seen as vulnerable. My concerned, loving, Jewish mother often reminds me. But I believe if you listen to the advice of locals and other travelers, follow common sense and avoid doing stupid things, you don’t have anything to truly worry about.

Enjoy Yourself

This probably sounds cliche but a solo trip allows you the opportunity to spend time with you. You would be surprised how therapeutic it can be, especially if you’re the type of person constantly surround by others and caring for about their needs. Also, you can learn about yourself on a solo trip – how you conquer fears, how you handle independence, how you explore outside your comfort zone, how you absorb things without talking to another person about it, and SO much more! I’m confident that after a few days you’ll start of feel comfortable being alone, and even appreciate it.

No matter where you are in your life, at least one solo trip should be on your bucket list. Your trip could be two days, two months or two years, the opportunity to learn valuable life lessons, meet interesting new people and create incomparable memories will be it worth it. I hope that others who have also experienced solo trips will continue to share their adventures and inspire others to take the leap!

Book Review: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg

“You are the promise for a more equal world. So my hope for everyone here is that after you walk across this stage, after you get your diploma, after you go out tonight and celebrate hard — you then will lean way in to your career.” — Sheryl Sandberg’s commencement address at Barnard College in 2011.

As a woman that is just about to enter an industry traditionally run by men, I was absolutely inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In. Her insight into the world of business, government, and technology told the story of how women must take the initiative to change their fate within their industry. As much as nature and society dictates how we behave, women must identify their short comings and make changes. Each chapter highlighted different issues that woman face from finding a mentor to balancing work and family. Her writing style was comforting as she wrote like she was having a conversation rather than dictating information at your. I enjoyed her short antidotes that introduced each concept really well. I did find that the book did have moments of repetition, and it could have been a chapter or two shorter. Additionally, I can see how some may argue that she makes women out to be weak employees that are victims to men or society. But then many of her thoughts were supported by facts and data that proved that women are set back.

http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/18uDutylDa4&source=uds

Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders TedTalk

I believe this book is great for young women who are entering the work force as well as those already in it. As I read the book it appealed to my ambitions to some day become a top executive and my desire to get married and have a family. It’s great to know that 1) I’m not the only person that worries about “having it all” and 2) that it’s not impossible to achieve what you want in life. Woman have made so much progress already to break through but we need more woman to be as strong and willing to take the risk. I am grateful for the progress that has been made and feel even more motivated to assist with this progress as I enter the workforce next year.

Finally, not only does she point out the issues that face women in the workplace but gracefully offers solutions for these short-comings. She provides person examples as well as psychological suggestions that offer ways to overcome these setbacks. The book includes how to negotiate, how to deal with criticism, how to be a better leader, and improve leadership skills.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“When I don’t feel confident, one tactic I’ve learned is that it sometimes helps to fake it.”

“It is hard to visualize someone as a leader if she is always waiting to be told what to do.”

“At a certain point it’s your ability to learn quickly and contribute quickly that matters.”

“There is no perfect fit when you’re looking for the next big thing to do. You have to take opportunities and make an opportunity fit for you, rather than the other way around. The ability to learn is the most important quality a leader can have.”

“When you want to change things, you can’t please everyone. If you do please everyone, you aren’t making enough progress.”

“On a ladder, most climbers are stuck staring at the butt of the person above.”

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” — Alice Walker

“Asking for input is not a sign of weakness but often the first step to finding a path forward”

“The ability to listen is as important as the ability to speak.”

“Feedback is an opinion, grounded in observations and experiences, which allows us to know what impression we make on others.”

“Recognizing the role emotions play and being willing to discuss them makes us better managers, partners and peers.”