Kay’s Korner: I Took My First Solo Trip!

Last week, I went to Arizona all by myself!

For the longest, I have been wanting to take a solo trip because why not? I enjoy traveling and doing so more often would require solo trips.

I chose Arizona for a couple reasons. Have you seen pictures of Sedona? It’s gorgeous but I wanted to see for myself.

I randomly booked my trip in the beginning of September. I check flights at work often because escapism and decided to go ahead and book the flight one day. Then I booked the house. Then I booked a rental car. And by the end of the day I had planned my entire trip.

I gave myself 24 hours to let the buyer’s remorse set in but I ended up being so busy the next day, I didn’t even have a chance to rethink it. Six weeks later, I was on a flight to Phoenix, AZ.

Part of me expected the trip to be this enlightening experience. I had read about the vortexes and energies and mediating and wanted all of that.

I didn’t get it.

What I discovered, however, was that I love to hike. OMG I LOVE TO HIKE. HIKING IS AWESOME. HAVE YOU HIKED BEFORE? Okay, that’s enough caps locked. I hiked every single day. When I got to Phoenix, I planned on eating and chilling most of the day but because of the time difference, I had a lot of day left when I got there so I decided to go hiking instead of taking a nap. Best decision I could’ve made.  Y’all. The views were breathtaking. It was so hard but so good.

I stayed one night in Phoenix and two nights in Sedona. I rented the cutest Airbnb’s with the nicest hosts. I ate very well but most importantly, I hiked.

The day before I left, I hiked three different trails. I got lost on one of the trails and ended up hiking it for almost two hours. I got lost like two times. The first time was hilarious because I really got scared and thought I was going to have to sleep in the mountains and that I was going to be on the phone with my mama crying as the helicopters circled the sky trying to find me and then I had to go home.

Also, she had no idea I went alone. Still doesn’t know.

The worst part of my trip: I didn’t buy hiking boots and ended up wearing my AirMax and I only brought one bra with me. Also, I had to rely on random strangers to take my pics and they butchered my angles and didn’t capture the awesome views.

I did learn to trust myself more and I was forced to make decisions. I am incredibly indecisive but there was no one else there to make choices for me. If I didn’t pick anywhere to eat, then I didn’t eat. I had full intentions on reading and writing. I had five books and my laptop. I used it once and only finished two books. One of them wasn’t even mine. It was on the shelf at the house I stayed in.

Traveling solo didn’t reveal any major revelations about myself. I pretty much had an experience solo. Similar to having a solo experience in my hometown. However, I highly recommend it. Traveling alone removed the fear of, well, traveling alone. Too often I miss out on going somewhere because I’m waiting for someone else to get their ducks in order. Now that I’ve conquered that fear, I definitely feel more comfortable and empowered to travel whenever I feel like it.

I’m thinking overseas next.

P.S. I wanted to post pics on here but my phone sucks and the pics are tiny so check my Instagram!