5 + 1 lessons I learnt while travelling the world (solo travel and beyond)

Over the years travelling, and especially travelling solo, has been my biggest mentor and self-development tool. No books or life coaches compare to the amount I learnt while exploring the world on my own. This is probably the biggest reason why I am such an advocate for solo travelling. Sometimes it will put you in certain situations just to teach you a lesson. And if you have an open mind and heart, this can be life changing. I know it has been for me, so here are 5 lessons I learnt myself.

1. You can't run away from your problems but you may find a new perspective

You are probably familiar with the various memes about how traveling to Italy will solve all your problems... While I disagree with this sentiment specifically, I think travelling can be a great tool to gain a new perspective and look at your problems differently. Sometimes we are so stuck in the everyday cycle that we don't see certain areas of our life as a blessing and think that we have it worse. For me, travelling has always been such an eye-opener and helped me to calm down, breathe a little, and look at my problems or things that need to be sorted with a fresh pair of eyes. In many instances, travelling made me grateful for what I have and stronger to be able to face what I had to go through.

2. The world does not evolve around you, but you matter more than you know

When you grow up in a small village of fewer than 2,000 people — like I did — travelling the world can be a truly humbling experience. You begin to understand, not just intellectually but viscerally, how vast the world really is. It’s something we all know on some level, but that awareness doesn’t fully sink in until you start moving through unfamiliar cities, meeting people with entirely different lives and stories. Suddenly, you realise how small you are in the grand scheme of things. There’s always someone more travelled, more fluent, more confident, more everything. But here’s the beautiful paradox: while travelling humbles you, it also reminds you how much you matter. Especially when you travel solo, you start to miss your people — and they miss you. And then, when you return home or reconnect with them, you see it clearly: you might feel like a tiny dot in the world, but to the people who love you, you are the world.

3. There is always kindness

You might be familiar with the psychological occurrence called the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also known as frequency illusion. After noticing something for the first time—like a red car—you suddenly start seeing it everywhere. It’s not that red cars suddenly multiplied; your awareness has simply been heightened. So, if you wire your brain to find kindness everywhere, you will. I certainly do, and what I always notice during my travels is that the world is full of kind people, which is heartwarming to experience. Humans tend to be more pessimistic and always say things like 'this world is getting worse by the day' and 'it's not like it used to be', 'the world is becoming a horrible place'. But when you open your heart, eyes, and ears to kindness, I can promise you, you will find it everywhere you go. Most people have a tendency to try to do the right thing, and you will see more of that when you explore the world. And the more evidence you find, the more kindness you will attract into your own life.

4. People in your life really do come and go and you have to learn to live with that

When you choose a slow-paced life and decide to spend your life in the same place, the likelihood of growing old with the same people is very high. But when the world opens up to you and you become a world traveller, you will really start understanding the saying 'some people are there for life, some are there for a season.' I think one of the most bizarre yet beautiful parts of traveling is that you will experience and see some of the most amazing and special moments and places with complete strangers. You will probably hang out with people for a day or a few who you will never really see again. But you might also make lifelong friendships and really bond with certain people. Travelling will teach you that just because some people were only passing by in your life and stayed for a short season, they were really important and they were exactly the company you needed in that given moment.

5. You learn to say no with more confidence and without feeling guilty

If you are someone who struggles with setting boundaries and always smiling nicely and staying agreeable, travelling may help you with this. It definitely helped me, because when you travel and you have to make quick decisions on the spot, not being able to say 'no' can simply cost you too much. Too much money, energy, or effort. And when you only have limited days or budget to explore a certain area, your inability to say no can really have a negative impact on your whole experience. Maybe you don't want to grab dinner with the girl whom you met in the hostel or buy a souvenir from the local shop just because the owner is really pushy. When travelling you really have to get into the habit of saying no. But goodness knows, the more you practice it, the easier it gets.

+1 You learn to be present and slow down

For me, this was the most surprising element of travelling. And until this day, whenever I share this finding, people look at me with raised eyebrows. Until I explain. Most people associate travelling with always chasing new locations, experiences, and feelings. Which can happen to some people for sure. But to those who have mastered the art of travelling, it actually means staying present and living in the moment...Because nothing makes you feel more pressured to savour every minute, than knowing that this may be your only chance to see that beautiful sunrise by the Taj Mahal or enjoy a simple cup of coffee while walking around Central Park. Travelling makes you aware of how quickly time goes by, so wherever you go, you want to make sure you make the absolute most of it.

I hope these lessons resonate with you, whether you're planning your first solo trip or are already deep into your journey. Solo travel isn’t just about the places you see — it’s about who you become along the way. If you're willing to embrace the challenges, the world has so much wisdom to offer.

And if you’re looking for a way to feel more grounded while travelling, don’t forget to grab my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It’s packed with simple tools like a printable checklist, self-care prompts, and mini rituals to help you feel more at home—wherever the journey takes you.