Newsletter #19 Taking My First Solo Trip Ever, Abroad!
How I'm preparing for my first solo trip.
Hey there!
It’s finally summer, though the temperatures haven’t felt like summer in June in Istanbul, as many days were cloudy and windy. It’s only now slowly getting warmer and I’m getting into vacation mode.
As I should, because I’m traveling abroad this Sunday! I’m going to London for 2 weeks and it will be my first time in England so I’m pretty excited about it.
Even if London isn’t the most ideal summer destination compared to more sunnier destinations like Italy and Spain, this was the only time we could book a trip to the city, but I’m not complaining!
In the first week of my trip, I’m traveling with my family, and then they will return and I will stay at my sister’s to then travel by myself, for the first time in my life! I will close off the whole thing by going to one of my favorite bands’ concerts.
I never solo traveled, even in my own country, let alone abroad. It has always been an enticing concept for me but also equally frightening.
It also has been a year ever since I went abroad, last year, I flew to Milan for 4 days, a short trip to see my favorite band live for the first time in my life.
I always wanted to solo travel but wasn’t that courageous, and life had other plans. Now, the conditions led me to do it, as I’m extending my trip to go to the concert.
I still don’t know if I’m that courageous, but I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and accept the adventure!
The truth is, you’ll never be ready “enough" before you do something. Be it solo traveling or even living abroad and starting a life there. When you accept that fact and embrace spontaneity, the process will be much more fun.
While for the last couple of weeks, I’ve been doing some light research and preparation for my trip, binged many London vlogs, created a personalized travel itinerary, and listed out the names of tens of different spots to go and see, I will also remind myself to stay in the present and enjoy the moment I spend on my trip, rather than trying to make it perfect.
There are so many places to visit in London and so many things to try out, and I hope I can find the time for most of them, but I know that I won’t be pressuring myself if I can’t make it to certain spots on my list.
The journey is what matters, not the output.
But I can easily see myself walking at least 20.000 steps a day and 5.000 extra pictures added to my camera roll after my trip.
I also hope to write about my trip and my experiences and observations about the city, culture, and everything, after I return.
I will hopefully keep a journal while traveling as well, to not forget certain highlights and how my traveling days felt like.
On that note, if you’ve been to London before or even live there, I’m open to all kinds of recommendations, so feel free to fire them in the comments!
And in case you’ve missed them, here are two of my latest articles:
How I’m Planning on Revamping My Writing Strategy This Summer
5 Reasons Why I Couldn’t Manage Writing Alongside My Full-Time Job
I probably won’t be able to send a newsletter next week, as I will be wandering around the streets of London and enjoying my vacation, but I will hopefully see you the week after.
As always, thank you for reading.
Sude