"Exploring the Journey: How Travel Can Be a Pathway to Healing"

Prior to the pandemic, the very notion of trekking the globe alone as a solo traveler never occurred to me. In fact, I was oblivious to the reality that solo travel; specifically, female solo travel, was quickly gaining traction and increasing in popularity. According to a survey (see chart) conducted on solo travel, several reasons are outlined for this increase: to meet new people; independence to do what one wants; the feeling of freedom and independence; personal growth.

I have long fancied travel--the dire need to rid myself of the monotony of day-to-day life, exploring new worlds, new horizons, fuels me. But like most of us, the pandemic brought me to a halt, forced me to face a world where autonomy and free movement was limited. I became irritable, depressed, desperate to experience "life" again. Although my husband and kids were a beacon of strength for me, I have always found it necessary...imperative even, to nurture and pour into oneself, creating one's own personal space and identity, understanding that this allows one to show up in the world (healthy) for others. During this time, I found comfort in reading and journaling, and one night while journaling my thoughts and constructing a plan to work on my mental health, I set forth an ambitious plan to travel to Europe by myself as soon as I was able to. Like most moms, I found myself facing the dreaded mom guilt, but knew that this was something that my soul desperately needed. You see, the pandemic forced me into a very dark place, (a topic we will explore in another post), and although I did not need to fly across the globe to begin my healing journey, the idea of a distant land to sift through my thoughts and emotions, called to me.

After researching several destinations for my first solo trip, and checking each box for: safety, affordability, culture, public transportation, weather, etc. I landed on Lisbon, Portugal. I had long heard great things about Portugal, and after watching numerous videos and reading several blogs, I knew with certainty that Lisbon would be my first foray into solo travel. To ensure my mental health was at the forefront of my mind, I jotted down 5 things that I vowed to focus on while away:

1. Meditation

2. Be present in the moment/take time to enjoy the simple things

3. Try something new

4. Smile

5. Show gratitude

I spent 9 days in Portugal, and each day I made a concerted effort to put each of the above methods into practice. By the end of my trip, I felt lighter, freer, like a bird floating through space and time untethered. Travel can be a pathway to healing and restoration, if we navigate it with intention and purpose. How will you honor your mental health through travel?