Welcoming Surprise
Travelling solo is something I’ve always been curious about. How would it feel to get myself to the other side of the world? What people would I meet and what places would I visit? What would I learn about myself? Despite the fear at the thought of navigating a new city alone, I always had a feeling I would come to love the experience. And spoiler alert… I was right!
If you were to ask me what attracts me to solo travel, I’d say that I enjoy the challenge it brings—figuring things out, navigating new surroundings, and connecting with diverse people. It’s rarely about the appeal of being alone, though ironically, I think solo travellers often meet the most people on the road. It’s as if being alone somehow illuminates you with a friendly aura, and conversations naturally spark wherever you go. There’s something about meeting people through travel that feels more intense, too. I like to believe it’s because all the people you meet are in the same stage of their journey as you are in yours, and you align, not just geographically, but metaphorically. You relate in ways that amplify connections and make them feel so fluid.
However, despite the constant flow of new friends, there’s always an element of solitude that accompanies this experience. There are moments when you stop and realise your own body. You feel your feet on the ground and ask yourself, Where am I? What am I doing here? And sometimes, the ominous question What’s next? rears its head to remind you that this part of your life won’t last forever.
Noticing those thoughts can be unsettling, but it’s also a reminder of how precious this chapter of your story is. Travel exposes you to newness every day—not just new surroundings, but new thoughts, ideas, and versions of yourself that can only be uncovered by leaving your comfort zone.
To me, that’s what solo travel is: getting to know who you are and enriching yourself. It’s about exploring the unknown, getting your hands dirty, and collecting some dust along the way. The excitement of unfamiliar roads, the challenge of learning new languages and cultures, and the quiet moments that offer a chance to look inward.
And perhaps, in the end, the real reward of travel is letting life delight you. We think we want an adventure, but perhaps we are simply seeking the space to be amazed. Life can surprise us at any moment—good or bad news: a pregnancy, a diagnosis, fortune, or misfortune. Life is full of surprises, but maybe some of us enjoy the thrill of the unknown so much that we choose to chase it. I wonder where I will go now? I wonder what is next for me? But the best part is that I don’t know. I think it’s about being excited for the surprises that lie ahead. Understanding that it’s all part of our experience, and whether we travel or not, life will test us. We can’t choose to plan those moments, we can only decide to be open to them. I know there will be times I long for the comfort of my home, but there will also be moments so extraordinary I have to pinch myself to feel it’s real. If that’s not enough reason to welcome life’s mysteries, then what is? When was the last time you let life surprise you?
-Mel
