In my opinion travel, especially solo travel, is one of the best things a person can do for their soul. It has singlehandedly taught me some of the greatest lessons in my life.
Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Seattle with my team at work for an intense week of training from Porsche on Lean Manufacturing. It was a great networking and educational opportunity, and even better it was in one of my favorite places on earth - Seattle!
Seattle has had a special place in my heart for the majority of my adult life. I daydreamed of escaping to the PNW in my early twenties when I felt trapped in my life and my (then) marriage.
I still often daydream of eventually moving west to where the mountains are snowcapped but the winters stay relatively green and don’t get sub-zero temperatures!
From wandering the cobblestone streets near Pike Place Market to sleeping under the stars in the Olympic National Park - Washington has always felt natural to me.
Last week I was fortunate enough to stay behind for a couple of days after training to stay in this home away from home and walk the streets of downtown Seattle on my own.
It’s an uncomfortable thing, traveling alone, even more so as an introvert.
At first you feel vulnerable, lonely, and hyper-sensitive to everything going on around you. And yet, it is all of these uncomfortable feelings that are responsible for making solo traveling the incredible experience that it is.
While in Seattle I was able to connect with vendors at the market, hearing about their families and their gardens at home. One of these vendors even gifted me with a beautiful handmade ring.
I talked with two wonderful women about their view on politics and their favorite springtime flowers while hiding under the same bus stop in a surprise downpour, and then heading our own separate ways as the sun peaked back out from the clouds.
It’s an uncomfortable and scary thing, traveling alone. Even so, I am a better photographer and better person from my solo adventures across the world and I wouldn’t trade the experiences for anything.
For those who haven’t taken the leap to spend some quality time exploring a new place and exploring more about yourself, I urge you to take the chance - I suspect after one adventure you’ll become addicted like me!