Solo Traveller

So... 

It looks like I'm going to be flying 16,516 kilometres across the world and travelling to 17 different countries over 45 days, all on my lonesome.

That’s right folks, Jessie Martin is hitting Europe- SOLO

In a weird way, I think it was meant to be like this. I’m a strong advocate of "everything happens for a reason"- I believe it strongly because things always have an odd way of working themselves out for me, regardless of whether that means they begin in a way that seems negative or not. 

Countless times I have thought that something has been the end of the world, and the end of life as I knew it - but I survived, and moved on, and because that door closed or slammed in my face, another one opened and led me on a much better path. But without that first event that rocked my world in a terrifying way, I never would have even looked for another door, let alone have gone through it.

For as long as I can remember I have felt like Europe was calling to me and that I had to go, no matter what. The day I decided to book a trip and quit uni, was nerve wracking and terrifying, but it also felt so right. I originally had a friend who was going to come with me, but alas, life got in the way as it sometimes does, and fate intervened, leaving me a solo traveller. Another close friend then moved back home with a strong desire to go on a life changing adventure, and so I presented her with the trip. At first she was keen, but then after lots of umming and ahhhing, she decided it wasn't the right time for her to go. My best friend had considered it, but had just gone through a significant change in her life, so again, decided it wasn't the right time. Then an old school friend contacted me, expressing her interest in accompanying me on the trip, but again, has just messaged me to say it is a bit much for her as she has never left the country before...

So that was it. I was done.

So, that was it. Instead of being angry or disappointed that they are unable to come, or even sad that I’d have to face the world on my own- I decided that I just had to accept the fact, that I was clearly meant to go alone. I think that it was always meant to be this way, and even though it is daunting to think of myself travelling the world on my own, I cannot wait to see what happens when I get there, meet hundreds of new people, see amazing landmarks and experience different cultures. I’m excited to see why I had to go alone, I’m excited to live in that moment, and to get to know myself better, even. I guess in the end, the only person you can ever fully rely on is yourself, and so what better way to trust myself and rely on myself than to go gallivanting around a new continent without knowing a soul.

Sure it would be nice to have a friend with me to share the memories with, or a familiar face I can trust and fall back on- but at least alone I can do whatever I want to do and see whatever I want to see without feeling like I have to consider someone else. 

I can be utterly selfish and indulgent and free.

I’m a little nervous, but I really think that going alone is something I need to do for my own personal gain. I really think that this is somehow how it was meant to be, for whatever reason. 

So on that note, Watch out world- Here comes Jessie Martin, solo traveller.