Finding Home in the Unknown: What Solo Travel Taught Me
Written By: Raveena Aujla
Before I left for Europe, I thought I knew exactly who I was.
Like so many people, I had settled into a routine. Work, friends, responsibilities, and the familiar places I visited every day became my entire world. Without realizing it, I had put myself into a box. I assumed this was my life—that I had already learned most of what there was to learn about myself and that’s just the way it was going to be.
Then I made a plan and booked my first solo trip. 6 weeks in 6 different countries in Europe.
To be honest, I was terrified but knew this would be the best decision I ever made for myself.
The weeks leading up to my departure were filled with anxiety. I questioned whether I could really do this on my own. Would I be okay? Do I really in believe in myself? Do I trust myself? But underneath all of those fears was a quiet feeling that this trip was going to change me. I couldn’t explain why, but I knew it would be pivotal in shaping my perspective on life.
Before I left, someone inspiring shared a piece of advice that stayed with me throughout the entire journey. They told me that whenever I started doubting myself, I should remember that I had already done the hard part. I had put in the work, made the plans, saved the money and gotten myself there. All I needed to do was remind myself: “I got this. I got me.”
Those words became my quiet reminder every single day.
My first day, I landed in Lisbon and immediately caught a bus to Lagos. That evening, I went to a sangria night at my hostel, where I met a group of girls from all over the world. We spent the night dancing in a tiny local bar, laughing until our stomachs hurt, and having what felt like the most surreal girls’ night.
The funny part was that I barely even knew their names.
Yet somehow, I felt an instant connection. Their energy was contagious, and within a few hours they had filled my cup in a way I didn’t even realize I needed. In that moment, thousands of kilometres away from home and surrounded by complete strangers, I experienced a feeling I wasn’t expecting: love.
Not the kind of love that’s romantic, but the kind that reminds you how beautiful human connection can be. It was the first moment on my trip that made me realize just how open-hearted the world can be if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone (shout out to the #lagosmamas). Little did I know, that was only the start of making such meaningful connections.
Every few days I found myself in a new city, surrounded by a different language, culture, and way of life. It felt like first day of school every new hostel I checked into. My comfort zone was tested everyday in a good way and it was absolutely incredible. I stopped relying on the version of myself that existed back home and started discovering who I was without expectations, dependency or familiarity.
One of the biggest surprises wasn’t just the places I visited (which were beautiful)—it was the people I met.
There’s something truly special about meeting fellow travelers from different corners of the world. I learned that sharing human energy is a universal language — one that doesn’t need translation. Within hours, strangers became genuine friendships. We shared meals, wandered through unfamiliar streets, laughed through language barriers, and opened up about our lives and the journeys that brought us there. There is a shared sense of curiosity, kindness, and openness that brings people together.
What surprised me the most was that those friendships didn’t end when the trip did.
Months later, we’re still texting, calling, and checking in on one another. We’ve visited each other, celebrated milestones from thousands of kilometres away, and continue planning future adventures together. We only spent a handful of days together, yet the love and care we have for one another feels like we’ve known each other for years.
That experience completely changed the way I think about connection. It reminded me that time isn’t what determines the depth of a relationship—presence does. When you’re open, vulnerable, and fully yourself, it’s amazing how quickly people can become part of your life.
In many ways, this trip taught me what love really is. Love isn’t always about how long you’ve known someone. Sometimes it’s about finding people who see you exactly as you are, who celebrate your joy, who support your growth, and who remind you that the world is full of kindness. Those friendships are one of the greatest gifts I brought home from Europe, and I know they’ll be part of my life for years to come.
Every morning, I woke up feeling grateful that I had given myself this opportunity. I realized that every experience—the exciting ones, the challenging ones, and even the moments where I felt completely out of my comfort zone—was possible because I had learned to believe in myself enough to take the leap.
For the first time in a long time, I felt completely comfortable in my own skin.
Solo travel taught me confidence in a way nothing else could. Every train I caught, every wrong turn I figured out, every conversation with a stranger, and every decision I made on my own became proof that I was more capable than I had ever given myself credit for.
The greatest lesson, though, was realizing that life is so much bigger than the small world we sometimes create for ourselves. It’s easy to believe that our hometown, our routine, or our comfort zone is all there is. But the moment we step outside of it, we discover endless possibilities—not just in the world, but within ourselves.
I came home with more than photos and souvenirs. I came home with a new perspective.
I realized that home isn’t a place. Home is a feeling. It’s knowing that wherever life takes me, I’ll be okay because I can trust myself. Home is wherever I choose to be.
Solo travel didn’t just show me Europe. It showed me that there is so much more to life than the boxes we place ourselves in. It reminded me that growth begins the moment we allow ourselves to become uncomfortable, curious, and open to the unknown.
And whenever I find myself doubting what’s next, I still come back to those simple words:
I got this. I got me.
