Solo-Female Backpacking Trip in Europe 15 Countries in 2 Months: What Motivated Me To Go

It has been about two and a half months since I’ve been back from my solo backpacking trip across Europe. Back in April, I went on a 2-month adventure through Europe and visited 15 countries. I went to places that I had always dreamt of visiting, places I had never heard of, and explored historical cities, rural countrysides, and natural wonders. Each place opened my eyes to how large and at the same time, how small the world is. It taught me a lot about independence and having the grit to go after my dreams. It taught me how to cope in times of stress because there wasn’t much of a choice when you are alone in another country. From the pre-planning phase of my trip, to the first day of my trip in London, to going through many countries in Central Europe that I did not originally plan on going to, to coming home from Iceland, to integrating myself back into the daily routine post-trip, I look back on this time of my life as a transformative accomplishment and milestone that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It is interesting thinking about the different stages of my thought processes and emotions through all of the different parts of my trip. I grew in ways I did not expect and had a clearer vision of what I want in life. Wherever you are at in life, I hope me sharing my motivations for going on this trip and putting it into action will inspire you to be the author of your own life, and start taking steps towards your dreams.

I had always wanted to go to Europe and explore England, Ireland, Scotland, and many other countries. I had always had an excuse for not going. Some of them were valid at the time—in my opinion, and others, not so much. What was holding me back the most was probably fear.

I would hear stories of my family and friends visiting different places in the world and see people sharing their experiences online. I found myself excited for them and in awe of their experiences. However, somewhere along the way, subconsciously or consciously, I decided that it wasn’t for me. I thought the reality was for someone else to experience and live, at least for a while—even though it was something I wanted to experience in my heart. I thought they were the most free-spirited, brave, and lucky people to get to explore the world and follow their dreams. I looked up to them for their ability to let go of any fears and just go for it.

I don’t exactly remember the moment I decided to go on this solo 2-month adventure. It was more of an idea for a while, and I only talked about it to the people closest to me. I would dream and plan without telling many people, and as the months went by I found myself wanting to share this dream of mine. The people I chose to share it with were supportive and shared things such as, “If I didn’t have this commitment I would love to do something like what you are planning,” “I wish I would’ve done something like that when I was younger,” “this is the time to do it, you are going to be amazing at it!” And some as simple as, “you should do it!!” Words of encouragement came from those who have done a trip similar to me, and many who hadn’t, but related it as an experience they could live through me. The people I told were confident in me, inspired by me, which inspired me back, and their genuine excitement gave me the extra courage to commit to this trip.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

I had other priorities and interests outside of traveling for several years, but it was always in the back of my mind. I knew I wanted to experience it at some point. I was completely devoted to music, recording, writing, and performing. Then, I transitioned back into college to a 4-year University taking pre-medical science courses at a large state school. After an academically challenging year, I decided to spend the next few years focused (pretty much solely) on my studies. I even put music second to my studies for awhile. My studies consumed me.

In 2018, I graduated with a degree in Biology. All the years of sacrifice and handwork had finally come to fruition, and I was now a college graduate. I was so excited to take on the world with my new degree and proud of the years and years of grueling hard work that comes with college and science courses. I was preparing for research presentations, finishing up my last coursework, graduating, studying for the MCAT, and applying to medical schools. Looking back, I am surprised at how much I was trying to juggle at that time. But, that’s the way it goes sometimes!

London, England

With my applications in, I transitioned back to work life. I picked up two jobs that would be flexible enough to work with my medical school application cycle—just in case I got any medical school interviews. I would leave the house some mornings around 3:45 am or earlier, work a shift at my first job, then drive over to the next town and work an 8-9 hour shift there. I did this for several months, with many weeks at a time where I had no days off. I worked in industries that required weekends, so I did not have many plans outside of work for that time.

I’m not sure exactly what it was, but I remember thinking to myself, where had the last 6 months gone? I was not fulfilled. This is not what I had imagined for myself—a situation familiar to many recent college graduates. But, I kept telling myself that it was okay because I was doing it in the meantime of getting into medical school. However, I realized that this is my life and the only person that could change it was me. I was not fulfilled in my jobs, although I am of course grateful for those months of work. It still served a purpose in my life at the time. At the same time, it showed me to wake up and stop sleepwalking through life. I don’t mind hard work or grinding. But I did not feel like I was growing or learning in the jobs I had, and that was important to me…life is short.

Rooftop in Berlin, Germany

January 2019 came by, and I got an inspirational planner which would help me overcome my fears and limiting beliefs. No one was going to change my life, I had to do it. I started writing out my goals. My whys. My hows. I dreamt big, and I gave myself the freedom to dream as big as I wanted to—no one had to see it if I didn’t want to share it. I wrote a number down for how much I wanted to have saved up for my trip and backup, which seemed out of reach and scary to write down on paper—what if I don’t reach that goal? I wrote it down anyway. I researched, read, and thought about my goals every day. I took what seemed to be very tiny steps at the time. I was so inspired, excited, overwhelmed, and had no idea where to start or how to plan a trip like this. I decided to trust myself and decided that I was going to figure it out and had to because this was an experience I was going to give myself.

I directed the energy I had spent thinking about “how did I end up in these jobs” and waiting to hear back from medical schools to, planning this trip. Whether I got in or not to medical school this cycle, this was an experience I wanted to have. And I couldn’t think of a better time. I remember the weeks going by faster and faster, and honestly, it felt like my trip was more like 6-months, probably because I spent months planning :).

Train ride near Geneva, Switzerland

Pretty soon, it was the day before my trip. It came up so fast. I remember feeling multiple emotions at the same time. I was scared and sad to leave my loved ones behind. I was also excited and proud of myself that I was actually about to do this. It almost did not feel real, but it was really happening, and the time was coming quick! I knew I would regret it if I didn’t go, and I had a fire in me and knew that I had to do this for myself. It’s funny how sometimes things in life seem so confusing, and other times, it’s very clear, and it becomes a fire inside of you that you can’t ignore anymore.

I remember boarding the plane, knowing that I was leaving for 2 months. I don’t even think I could imagine what leaving for that long (to me, it was long) would feel like. I was on my own. And the world was a limitless possibility.

Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

If you have had a goal in your mind for some time, perhaps your dream job at a corporation in a big city, learning to cook in a different country, going back to school, starting a business… Whatever it is, I hope that you find the courage within yourself to take steps towards your goal. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and trust yourself, prepare, research, be positive, and take action. It helps to surround yourself with people that not only believe in you but believe in your goals and are positive forces in your life. I am so grateful for my experience, and I am still realizing all of the things I learned from that trip. I have many goals in life, and one of the biggest blessings from my trip that I had was gaining the confidence in knowing that if I set my mind to something, even if it seems so far out of reach at the time, I will get there.

Live wonder freely,

Megan