“You’re going to another country by yourself?!” I heard my mom say in my ear. Months ago, I made the decision that I was going to embark on my first trip to Europe. After having Eiffel Tower posters on my wall as a college student and pasting an image of the Ritz Carlton London on my 2024 vision board, it was time.

Initially, I planned to go with one of my best friends. When we couldn’t get our schedules in line to book the trip together I decided I would go on my own. When I’d share with people that I was going on a solo trip to Europe their eyes would get wide. “Are you sure you want to do that?” “Aren’t you scared?”

The simple answer to that… nope.

When it came time to ease the nerves of family members about my plan, there was a point they could not argue with. For the last seven years I’ve lived on my own in four different states away from family. And you know what… I survived every move. For me, traveling to Europe would be no different than packing up all my things and moving to a new state. Anything that could happen to me abroad could also happen at home. (Spoiler alert: I made it back safely!)

Having this kind of confidence is owed to my career path. Climbing the ladder in news often means forcing yourself to start new in unknown places. And not only that, but putting yourself out there to build a life and have new experiences. In living state-to-state, I did not have my family or friends to depend on for comfortability. I had to come out of my shell and make bold moves (like eating alone at a restaurant or attending an event where I don’t know a single soul) in order to create the community I now have. The same goes for my solo travel experience. Just as I have in each state I’ve worked in, I also made new friends on this trip!

Had I not grown and developed the way I have by way of my career journey, I don’t think I would have been able to do it. However, my confidence grows with every move and I’ve discovered that I have no reason to fear.

Thankfully, things worked out where my friend was able to join me on the latter portion of the trip. But nothing was more liberating and freeing than to visit two dream cities on my on. If I can do that, I can do anything!