Taking solo birthday trips abroad taught me that I don't need company to do something meaningful
A personal essay explores the author's transition from fearing solo travel to embracing it as a meaningful way to celebrate milestones. The author highlights how solo trips to Asia helped her redefine independence and self-celebration.
Why it matters
The piece reflects a growing cultural trend of solo travel and the shifting societal norms regarding personal independence and milestone celebrations.
The author thought she might feel lonely while traveling abroad by herself, but has taken a liking to it after several trips. Courtesy of Sally Seaton. I've started taking solo trips abroad to celebrate my birthday. At first, it felt strange to commemorate an important milestone on my own. I've since realized that being alone doesn't mean being lonely. Important milestones are usually celebrated with loved ones, but this year, for my birthday , I decided to take a bucket-list trip to Hong Kong and Japan — on my own. Originally, I'd planned to celebrate at a rooftop bar with friends, but this trip has been on my mind for years. Instead, I cancelled my plans and landed in Hong Kong the day before I turned 29. It wasn't the first time I'd spent my birthday alone abroad .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in