Lately I’ve been really craving solo travel, but it’s just not possible for me right now. So I started thinking about what I actually miss about it and whether any of that can be recreated at home.
Some things obviously can’t. I can’t disappear for weeks or be fully accountable only to myself while still having a job. I’m also nowhere near the ocean. But other parts feel more doable: novelty, autonomy, doing things that take a little bravery.
With that mindset, I went alone to an ice skating rink and a swing dancing social. I was nervous showing up solo, but I asked myself, “If I were halfway across the world, would I skip this just because I’m alone?” Definitely not.
I ended up loving it. I controlled when I skated, danced, and left. I experienced a new rink, a live swing band, and even had a long conversation about music festivals with a trucker twice my age. It didn’t erase the solo travel itch, but it scratched it a bit.
13