Solo Adventures
Embracing Solo Adventures
by Lauren Valadez
As Latinos, we are taught that everything should revolve around family. We’re often told that you should never be out alone porque uno nunca sabe. But these expectations are reinforcing dependence on members of your family, leaving you to be unskilled in your own independence. There will be times when people are not going to be able to help you, so it is very important to understand how to navigate the world by yourself.
If you are willing and able to drastically challenge your self-reliance, I suggest embracing the idea of a solo trip. After having taken one myself to San Francisco from Los Angeles, I now know the importance of relying on your own skills to traverse through an unfamiliar city. My trip wasn’t just a vacation, it was about testing my self-reliance. From understanding the subway systems to finding my way after getting lost, the experience pushed me out of my comfort zone completely. Although I was anxious in the beginning, I felt that I could confidently navigate the city on my own after only a couple days of being there.
In Latino families, it might be crazy to hear that someone wants to go out into the world without another family member, perhaps even looked down upon, but it is important to understand that experiences like these will help you grow and mature. You will learn to stand on your own and you may even teach other members of your family to embrace the joy of independence. As we enter the new year, consider planning a solo trip for your own benefit. It doesn’t have to be far away, maybe just a weekend getaway to a nearby city. There’s no better way to begin the year than by stepping out of your comfort zone and making new memories— experiences that will stay with you long after the trip ends.
When traveling alone, you are forced to trust yourself fully. Trust yourself to take the correct transportation, to feed yourself, and most important, to keep yourself safe. You must trust your instincts and make choices by yourself without consulting others. These are all things that can easily be overlooked when you are dependent on someone else.
Image of Woman Solo Traveling by Sasha and image of woman sitting on a big rock by Max Avans from pexels.com
Lauren Valadez has joined this community as a new columnist. She is originally from El Monte, California, but she recently moved to Central New York to attend Syracuse University. She is currently a sophomore studying anthropology.
