"I'm not sure if it was the high stakes of planning the perfect itinerary or the looming idea of feeling like an outsider in a new place, but growing up, travel always felt daunting to me. In the hopes of conquering that fear, I applied to my university's summer study abroad program and soon found myself thousands of miles from my home in California to complete a two-month internship in London."
"In a giddy stupor, fearful that it would sell out, I spontaneously bought a ticket and texted my massive study abroad group chat to see if anyone else would like to go with me. I was confident I'd be able to find someone - after all, the infectious party-girl mindset of Brat summer had just struck the globe. But when a few days passed and nobody had responded, worry sank in."
"The flight to Ibiza was loud and full of passengers singing and enjoying drinks with their friends, making me feel even more lonely as a solo traveler. As I stood in line outside the venue, I did my best to channel my anxiety into excitement. At first, I felt self-conscious surrounded by more groups of friends, but it wasn't long until I found myself chatting happily with everyone around me."
A spontaneous, one-night solo trip to Ibiza to see Charli XCX pushed the traveler beyond earlier travel anxieties. The traveler had gone abroad for a university internship and bought the concert ticket impulsively, expecting companions that never materialized. Initial loneliness on the plane and among groups at the venue gradually gave way to conversation and connection with other fans. Shared enthusiasm for the artist led to dancing and camaraderie, easing isolation. The experience transformed fear into excitement and demonstrated that solitary plans can be enjoyable and that intentional alone time has personal value.
Read at Business Insider
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