I flew solo for the first time, and this is what i learned. . .
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Washington, D.C.
Georgetown & Chinatown. . . all the “towns”
Flying is actually a very daunting experience for many people; there’s a reason so many people suffer from travel anxiety. Thankfully, this is not something I usually suffer from – or didn’t until my first time in the air alone. It’s not the actual flight that scares me so much; it’s the to-and-from. The stressful security, the absolute independence, the “Oh crap, where is my gate??”. It can all be a little overwhelming. Add to that the fact that my mind is conditioned to think every overly-attentive stranger is predator, and I’ve got a recipe for one miserable trip. While it’s okay to be on guard when traveling alone, here are some things I wish I had known before getting myself too worked up.
1. It’s scary. Really, really scary.
A lot of people will tell you otherwise because, once you’ve flown alone a few times. . .yea, it’s not so bad. But your first time traveling alone is going to be hard, and that’s a really, really good thing believe it or not. You might be scared, you might cry when something doesn’t go to plan (guilty), but you’re guaranteed to come out of it a little bit stronger.
2. And that’s okay.
Accept that fear might just have to be a part of your journey. There were times before my trip when I almost chickened out. Powering through that fear and anxiety is what constantly leads me to a whole new level of self-confidence. So, embrace all your feels and face them head-on. You’ve got this.
3. You’re not alone.
I’m not sure why I had it in my mind that I would be the only single flyer in the airport, but that is what my scared heart kept telling me. Sometimes common sense is your best bet in these tense situations. Obviously I was not the only girl flying alone, and I probably never will be. I’m not an overly out-going person, so I didn’t necessarily make friends with my fellow single flyers. But I did find it eased my nerves to sit or stand near another woman who was obviously flying by herself. It gave me peace of mind to know I wasn’t alone.
4. That “Uber” thing.
I actually think land transportation scares me even more than flying alone. The thing is, when I get in a stranger’s car, I feel vulnerable. . . and 9.998 times out of 10, that is the last thing I want to feel when I’m traveling alone. So I figured out a game plan. I always had a line of text-conversation going with my Mom (or anyone else who knows a lot about traveling alone) when I hopped in an Uber or Lyft. It just made me feel safer knowing someone was there with me on the other side of the line. This being said, it’s nice to small-talk a little with your driver. However, if the conversation becomes uncomfortable (it REALLY did for me), just involve yourself in texting or calling your “safety net”.
5. Sh*t happens.
No one predicted that my original flight to D.C. would be cancelled, so I wasn’t mentally prepared. But oh my, that 7:14am “Your flight has been cancelled” notification rocked my world. On top of that, the system wouldn’t let me change to a new flight, my parents weren’t home to help me and there was a massive tropical storm about to roll through. DEEP. BREATHS. I’m not sure I have much advice in this situation. It’s best to just call your airline’s customer service instead of getting angry at your computer. My point is: flights change all the time, so just be prepared to make some flexible decisions on the day of your trip.
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- Georgetown Neighborhood
For all the stress I caused myself before my flight, the process really wasn’t that bad. I feel like I’ve gained an essential skill that will come in handy when I start traveling more often for interviews, work, etc. The ability to get yourself from point A to point B alone (without any major meltdowns) is something all young women need the confidence to do.
Shop My Look
This look was perfect for an evening out touring Georgetown & our National Monuments. I kept it breezy with a wide-leg number from Anthropologie. I love jumpsuits because they are the epitome of one-and-done outfit pairing. It also literally felt like wearing pajamas – in the most “I have everything together” sort of way. HINT: Anthro is having a major sale right now, so make sure you check that out. (Click me for ALL the deals!)
Jumpsuits (All Under $50 !!!)
Accessories
I hope these tips were helpful whether you are traveling alone this year or are just generally afraid of flying – no matter how big your air-travel support group is. Remember that thousands and thousands of people are flying at the exact same time as you, and many feel just as nervous. And hey, when you are able to confidently travel alone, the sky is the limit. . . Yes, I’m ashamed of how cringe-y that was. If you have any travel tips and/or funny stories please share in the comments below or on my latest Instagram (click here). I’d love to hear from you. Happy flying!
XOXoXo, Zo
Read my last post from Washington, D.C.
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