9 Powerful Mindset Shifts For Solo Travellers That Helped Me

Table of Contents

Introduction

I’ve been travelling solo for over a decade now (wooow over a decade). I used to travel solo and not even say anything for fear of judgement. Not anymore though. Today I travel freely solo and I do it bodly with some much intention.

I still remember my first solo trip, Berlin for my 25th birthday. I was nervous, excited, and honestly a bit unsure. Back then, taking yourself out for a full day, let alone on a solo trip abroad, was “weird” to some people. But that trip? Changed everything for me. It showed me I could plan something for myself, by myself and enjoy it. Today, it has given me the key mindset shifts for solo travellers that I want to share with you.

“Solo travel didn’t just change how I see the world. It changed how I see myself.”

It’s wild looking back now. When I started solo travelling, people back then would ask if I had no friends to travel with. Even now, being independent makes others uncomfortable. Some still side-eye it or give their opinions on solo travel now (and then go and solo travel LOL!) But I’ve learned to ignore their own opinions because through every solo trip, every journey, my mindset shifts.

So here are 9 mindset shifts for solo travellers. Today, you will learn my mindset shifts for solo travellers. And how, it’s helped me become a better version of myself.

The 9 Mindset Shifts For Solo Travellers That Helped Me

1. I Stopped Waiting for Company

I used to wait around for people to be “ready” to book the trip, save the money, and find the time. But that meant putting my dreams on hold.

I understood their reasons and still do now. They have responsibilities, kids, careers, but I knew I didn’t want to wait forever. I wanted to travel now. And still do now! I recall going through the process of getting my British passport, and knew that once I got it. There was absolutely no one who was going to stop me.

Once I got my British passport, I had no reason to wait. I stopped waiting. And I started going. If it’s on your heart to go, please just go. Travel solo. The world is yours, and you just can’t limit your life for others. Your life is yours, not theirs to delay.

2. I Started Thinking Like a Local, Not a Tourist

I’ve never wanted to just tick things off a list. For me, solo travel is about immersion, understanding a country’s food, faith, history, and even its politics. After working for the British Government for over 10 years. I have to say that’s the policy nerd in me.

When I visited places like Kunta Kinteh Island and Gorée Island, I wasn’t just sightseeing. I was learning, unlearning, and feeling things textbooks never could ever teach me.

Travelling solo has taught me that depth > surface. God has blessed me in this world we live in this world today and has really shown me too much for me to stay on the surface of life.

3. I Realised Safety Isn’t About Fear

I used to be nervous, genuinely. Hearing and reading about things that happen in the world would make me a little nervous. But then I learned that fear is a feeling, not a fact.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Your safety is a strategy and trust. And fear has no seat on your flight, your trip, tour or anything you do in this world. Now, I move with intention. Before I travel, I research cultures, listen to my intuition, and plan with wisdom. I am so blessed to have perfect discernment that I’m not reckless. I’m prepared. And because of that, I’ve felt a real sense of peace while travelling solo.

Fear doesn’t stop me anymore. Strategy and God’s covering guide me.

4. I Accepted That Growth Requires Discomfort

I’ve cried in countries people can’t even find on a map. Through prayer and worship, and time spent with God on my solo trips. My intimate moments lead to tears. I’ve had life-changing conversations with strangers in places I almost didn’t or would never go.

Solo travel stripped me bare and then rebuilt me. It showed me that discomfort isn’t punishment. It’s a transformation.

India. Morocco. Kenya. I found different versions of myself in each place. I became wiser, softer and stronger in God’s presence.

5. I Stopped Minimising My Presence

I don’t have to shrink myself abroad. Something I know and have done in the past. I would shrink myself in both relationships and friendships. And in many cases, I have felt that I need to lower myself because I’ve been made to feel like my dreams were “too much” and not “normal.”

But solo travel gave me room to be me. To really show up as myself. Loud or quiet. Bold or soft. Without being policed or guilt-tripped for it.

I no longer lower myself to make others feel more comfortable. I’m not too much. And I know to show up as myself or remove myself when I know people are intimidated by my presence.

6. I Embraced Doing Things Alone

Some people can’t even eat alone in public. Me? I’ve dined solo in Berlin, wandered museums in New York, and taken cooking classes in Cape Verde by choice. And wooow it’s truly amazing. I LOVE the life I have made for myself. It is truly beautiful.

I love and enjoy my own company. And I truly believe if you can’t enjoy yourself, how can anyone else? You need to enjoy yourself so others can celebrate and enjoy your presence.

Doing things alone has made me whole. It’s given me a freedom that can’t be replicated. It has also shown me how capable I am.

7. I Replaced Comparison With Curiosity

I used to compare. Degrees. Jobs. Relationships. Different types of key milestones.

But I’ve learned that my path is mine. And honestly, I like where I am. Love it in fact. I trust that God has me exactly where I’m supposed to be, travelling, growing, healing, and discovering. I spent so long “people pleasing”, putting others’ needs above my own. Today, I can make peace with the person I used to be and know that she no longer exists.

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” Hebrews 12:1

Stay in your lane. God wrote a story just for you.

Comparison keeps you stuck. And I know I am not stuck. I am living.
Curiosity keeps you open. And I choose curiosity every time.

8. I Honour My Energy First

My energy is sacred. And if you know me, you know being in crowds can be a little overwhelming for me, especially when it’s people who project their insecurities or question my choices because of their own limited beliefs.

When I travel solo, it gives me space to breathe. To recharge. And to wander without explanation. That permission to just be? It’s been everything. I honestly don’t take it for granted.

9. I Now Travel as a Form of Self-Respect

I don’t travel to flex. Honestly, who still does? I travel to honour the woman I’ve become, and the girl I used to be, who once dreamed of this life. Because I truly deserve it.

Travel is how I heal. How I connect with culture. It allows me to get to know God through different people and places. How I learn from food, from history, from experience.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it…”

Psalm 24:1

You’re exploring God’s very own creation. And you my fearless travel queen deserve to travel solo and live boldly and intentionally.

Solo travel isn’t selfish. It’s self-respect. And I know I deserve that. You do, too, if you want it bad enough.

Final Views: Mindset Shifts For Solo Travellers

These mindset shifts for solo travel didn’t happen overnight. It’s taken time, focus, and a lot of flight confirmations. But with every trip, I’ve chosen me. And that’s not just travel, that’s transformation. Learning to always choose yourself is the most important thing you can ever do for yourself. Because it will reveal the people who don’t want you to be where you are, because of their own lives.

So tell me: Which mindset shift for solo travellers hit you the most? Comment below. I’d love to know. Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more solo content.

Speak soon, my fearless solo traveller

Adebola MBV x