The joy of exploring solo

When I first moved to New York City after transferring schools I assumed I would be constantly overwhelmed by the amount of people, things to do, and endless places I could be. Was it bad if sometimes I didn’t really want to do anything? Or with anyone? Would it be hard to enjoy time alone in a city where people are always together? 

Trust me, these were just a few of the endless questions I had for myself. 

Because in reality, cities have the tendency to hit you right when you get there, whether it’s the city that never sleeps or the city you just got to for study abroad. With so many people around you in their own world, how can you protect your peace in a city whilst still experiencing it? And while do not get me wrong, I love to go out and talk anyone’s ear off, being abroad this summer has taught me about the practice and patience that comes with enjoying your own presence. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how important it is to be able to do things on your own. (Well, with Google Maps of course. I never go anywhere without it.)  

As I have begun to adapt to the city life over my experiences in school and abroad I have found so many ways to enjoy the time with myself. And while I am speaking from a more extroverted point of view since I love being around people, it can pretty much put anyone outside of their comfort zone if they are in a new place with no clue of where to go next. 

Even though it can be scary, what I have learned so far since having been in both Copenhagen and Stockholm for over a month now, is that there can be joy in being alone. Even when it’s hard. But with the support of DIS, I have found new ways to explore the cities I have been to by foot, bus, bike, metro, or train. And while sometimes I can be at a loss for what to do, the first thing I know to do is always to leave my apartment. 

The next plan of action goes as follows. After I’ve made it out the door and feel semi more put together, I like to then come out with some sort of rough outline depending on what I am in the mood for. This is exactly what makes it so fun to travel abroad solo. You are with yourself and can pick exactly what you want to do in that exact moment.

I think the first thing to do is check in with yourself and ask yourself how you see the day panning out. Sometimes I’ve found myself just grabbing headphones, putting on a long playlist and walking the city before me, understanding the lay of the land and actually looking around me. Other times I’ve found myself wandering into museums like the Glyptotek in Copenhagen or City Hall in Stockholm, shopping along the streets (of course going to the nearest Gina Tricot), randomly popping into cafes to spend hours writing, or biking deeper into the town to meet my friends at our favorite pub to watch football (yes, I am calling it football since I’m in Europe). And while these are only a few of the things I have done alone in Europe, they have been some of the most memorable experiences I have had since coming here. 

The list of things would be endless for me but what allowed me to come up with a plan was to think about what would serve me in that moment. Was it taking time to do something active, quiet or intellectual? Finding out what you want to do with the time you have here can feel overwhelming, but in the grand scheme of things there is no one way to spend time you have during study abroad. The most important part is to recognize if it is something that is serving you right now. That is what I have learned. Do not force it, let it come to you and trust me, the time you have will not only allow you to explore the spots you want to go to, but also allow you to reflect on the journey at hand, your future, or any journeys that may continue to come into your life. 

So with that I say, get up and leave your apartment. Adventure does await in any shape or size – Bon voyage xo