Sharon McLean
I embarked on my solo travel journey in 2012, and it all began with a leap of faith to Mexico. I was armed with little more than a spirit of adventure and no knowledge of Spanish. I decided to immerse myself fully for four transformative months, dedicating part of my time to volunteering in some out-of-the-way places. This experience allowed me to connect deeply with the country, its culture, and its incredible people. After volunteering, I stood at the edge of the unknown, wanting to experience more.
In those days, technology was limited—a simple visit to an internet café was my lifeline to stay connected. I would email home to let everyone know I was alive and check Facebook. There were no smartphones, online maps or travel websites to help me on my journey.
The Lonely Planet Guide was my trusty companion. It was a treasure trove of wisdom that inspired countless solo journeys, and everybody used it to plan their solo travel trips. Once I decided on my next destination, I would book my accommodation on the Hostelworld website.
It was a wonderful feeling to arrive at a new destination and often reunite with fellow travellers I had met along the way. We would share our past adventures over food, laughter and lessons learnt. We would sometimes plan a side trip together or agree to meet at another destination. I would also meet solo travellers going in the opposite direction, and we would share our travel tips and ideas about where to go and what to do. My confidence in myself and my solo travelling abilities began to grow.
Solo travel gave me the freedom and confidence to follow my heart. I could navigate my own path, making spontaneous and, at times, random choices without time constraints or the need to wait for others. Travelling as a solo female made me stronger and more aware of people, my surroundings, and situations where I found myself, as I was responsible and accountable for my choices.
Each encounter with people and a new destination boosted my confidence, helped me embrace the unknown, and ultimately led me to Guatemala for my final month in Central America.
Since that first journey, I’ve travelled solo to 28 countries. My world has been forever transformed by the adventures I've embraced, the connections I've made, and the courage I've discovered within myself.
Here’s to the beauty of stepping outside our comfort zones and the endless possibilities that await us when we dare to travel alone and “Explore the World Fearlessly”!
