Have you ever done something just because it was expected of you? Followed a path that looked right on the outside, even though it felt completely wrong inside?
In early 2017, I was working a highly sought-after marketing job in New York City. The salary was solid, the benefits were great, and my co-workers were genuinely wonderful. On the surface, life looked perfect, and I even appeared happy to anyone passing by. Being in that job was exactly what I was “supposed” to do.
But behind closed doors, life was far from perfect. I barely slept at night. Anxiety gripped me relentlessly, and yes—I cried in the bathroom at work more times than I can count. Mondays filled me with dread, Fridays were the only days I celebrated, and I found myself trapped in the vicious cycle everyone talks about: hating my job, yet feeling stuck.
Rationally, I knew I had no reason to feel this way. I lived in Manhattan, worked for a major corporation, and had opportunities most people only dream about. So why was there a constant, nagging voice in my head telling me something was deeply wrong?
The one thing that sparked joy and excitement was the thought of traveling. I dreamed of exploring the world, of seeing new places and experiencing life differently. I even tried dozens of times to convince my company to transfer me to London so I could travel around Europe—but nothing worked.
Then, one day, I stumbled across an Instagram profile of a woman who had left her corporate job in California to travel solo across Southeast Asia. She had been exploring the world for years, funding her adventures along the way. Reading her story, I realized for the first time that I could do the same.
I took a leave of absence from my job and spent four transformative months traveling through Europe and Asia. Living on a tight budget meant a lot of PB&J sandwiches and staying in budget hostels, often with 30 other travelers in one room—but it was worth every single moment. I slept peacefully through the night, free from the anxiety that had consumed me for years. The dread of daily life vanished.
Traveling alone opened my eyes in ways nothing else ever had. It forced me to stop, appreciate small moments, and connect with people as my authentic self—free from the expectations of family, friends, or colleagues. I got to see the places I wanted to see, exactly how I wanted to see them, without compromise.
When I returned home, I dove into social media to learn more about other women who traveled solo. I had no idea there were so many. In every hostel, I met dozens of women traveling alone, from all over the world. Each had a unique story, yet a common thread connected them: these women refused to live the way society expected them to.
Not all women want to have children, buy a house, or settle into a 9-to-5 office job. Many are criticized, misunderstood, or unsupported for choosing to travel alone. That’s when it hit me: these women needed a cheerleader—and I needed them just as much. My purpose wasn’t just to leave the corporate world; it was to empower women to embrace their own journeys, to feel proud of traveling solo, and to create a space where we could connect authentically.
That’s how The Lone Travel Girl was born—a community celebrating solo female travelers. We share stories from women all over the world, empower each other to continue exploring, and even create apparel that allows travelers to wear their love for solo adventures. Our most popular piece? A crop sweatshirt with the word “solivagant”—a term for a solitary wanderer.
Since starting this journey, I’ve met women who inspire me daily:
- Digital nomads working from their vans while traveling full-time
- Women navigating restricted passports with optimism and determination
- Mothers and spouses who still carve out time for solo trips, prioritizing their passions
What I’ve learned through it all is simple: life is too short. Too short to travel with people you don’t want to, too short to ignore what you love, too short not to prioritize yourself.
While this is my story, it’s really about the women who are rewriting the rules, choosing adventure over expectation. Traveling solo builds confidence, freedom, and connections with kindred spirits who share the same passion.
And here’s the final truth I’ve discovered—one that may sound cliché but is absolutely real: happiness comes from listening to your heart and following it. These days, I don’t dread Mondays or celebrate Fridays. I sleep through the night. The anxious, nagging voice telling me something was wrong is gone. The only voice left is the one asking: Where to next?
