As an entrepreneur and Chief Travel Officer of Curly Tales, travel is without a doubt an integral part of my life. But being a travelling mum is not easy! When I go solo travelling as a mother, it often leaves people by surprise. Some people ask me what is the need for it? Others judge me for leaving my child at home to explore a different city across the world. I have faced numerous stereotypes and had eyes rolled at me for the decisions I’ve taken and the way I chose to live my life. As a solo travelling mom, I’ve not only faced those stereotypes but also broke them proudly. Here are some of them.
1. Solo Travelling Moms Shirk Responsibilities Towards Kids
There’s a pre-conceived notion that solo travelling mothers shirk responsibilities towards their kids. Choosing to travel solo doesn’t mean shirking off responsibilities, it just means taking time to do something you want, to feel relaxed. Even a phone needs to be charged to work efficiently. So why can’t a mother take some time off to do what she likes, to recharge and relax? Travel is my happy place, my happy space. And I’m proud to go solo travelling, knowing fully well that my family has my back.
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2. Good Moms Don’t Leave Their Kids Alone To Travel
Who says you need to be with your kids 24/7 to be a good mom? And first of all what is a good mom? If we are imperfect individuals, then we are imperfect mothers as well. And in these imperfections, can we truly be the best versions of ourselves. I adore travelling with my daughter. We’ve been on mother-daughter trips to Singapore, Tadoba National Park for a wildlife safari and much more. While I adore travelling with my daughter, I also love taking a short break and going solo travelling, with my daughter just a video call away. A break from mom, is just as much of a vacation for my little one, as much as it is for me.
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3. This Is Just A Phase
Many people believe that solo travelling is just a phase. It’s probably people taking a break before they join a new job or heal themselves from difficulties. So, people just expect them to “get over it”. Well, solo travelling isn’t a phase. It’s a choice. And it’s gaining popularity across India and I’m ecstatic to be part of it. Despite having a daughter, a loving family, I love to take time out for myself to travel solo and explore a new city. So, I can vouch that solo travelling being a phase, is just a stereotype.
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4. It’s Not Safe To Travel Alone Without Family
Whether you’re married, unmarried, young, old, a woman travelling alone will always be considered unsafe. I’ve faced situations where people advise me not to travel alone without my family as it’s unsafe. First of all, people believe that women who travel alone are constantly vulnerable and criminals are just waiting to prey on them. That’s not the case. It’s safe for women to travel alone if they are responsible and know how to travel safely. Accidents may happen, but the fear mustn’t hold you back from solo travelling. It didn’t hold me back. And I’m where I am today.
5. She Will Be Lonely & Miss Her Children
Solo travelling is about travelling alone. And not being lonely. If you have enough self-love, then you’d love to be in your own company. I’m my own favourite person, so it’s an utter delight to me to travel in my own company. But I do admit to missing my daughter during my travels. Just a phone call or a video call with her instantly puts a smile on my face. While I miss her, I also value my me-time. It helps me take a break from the hustle-bustle of my daily routine and tap inwards.
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6. Guilt Of Leaving Kids Behind Won’t Let Her Enjoy
Let me be honest. Mom guilt is real. But that doesn’t make it entirely true. Solo travelling is the step I took that benefits me and my family too. It helps me get recharged, relax and rejuvenated. And it helps my daughter to probably get a much-needed short vacation from me. Jokes apart, it helps her become independent and responsible for herself, without having her mom run behind her 24/7.
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7. Why Should She Travel Alone?
I think the question should be “Why Shouldn’t She Travel Alone?” Travelling alone has helped me disconnect from the world for a short time and connect to myself. Our daily lives are so cluttered that we often forget to spend time with ourselves. There’s always something in the foreground to keep us occupied. That’s why I’d recommend solo travel to every woman out there. I’ve gone hiking, climbing, skiing, river rafting, bungee jumping and set new limits for myself. There are just a few reasons why one shouldn’t travel alone. But there are hundreds of reasons why one should.
Also Read: Medinah Is The Safest City For Solo Female Travellers Followed By Chiang Mai And Dubai
8. Only Sorted, Organised Mothers Can Travel Solo
I’m an entrepreneur, an avid traveller and a mother. So you’d think I’ve got all under control right? Wrong! I’ve taken over 500 flights to date and yet there isn’t a single moment where I don’t feel a little anxious about my travels. Sometimes I overpack, other times I under pack and I keep overthinking before every trip. I do feel anxious about my travels. And I’ve realised you don’t need to be sorted, organised or perfect to travel solo as a mother. You just need to be you!
Also Read: 5 Ways Women Can Earn From Travelling
9. She Is Travelling Only To ‘Find Herself’
A positive side to solo travelling is the process of “finding oneself”, connecting to yourself on a deeper level, while tuning out the noise. However, there’s a common stereotype that this is the only reason why people solo travel. Well, solo travel doesn’t have to be Eat Pray Love or a long sojourn of self-discovery. Well, I checked into a plush hotel in Delhi and spent a day by myself, enjoying great room service, hotel hospitality and catching up on hours of sleep. Solo travel can be a road trip, a staycation or a short vacation just to pamper yourself.
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10. Travelling Solo Because Other People Couldn’t Join Her
While there are some women who travel solo out of necessity as they can’t find friends who’d like to join, there are equally as many women who travel solo by choice. And I’m one of them. I travel solo by choice. Over the years, I’ve discovered innumerable benefits of travelling solo. This includes not having to compromise as per my travel partner’s preferences. It’s 100 per cent me-time. And nothing can replace this. So I’d urge every wonderful woman out there to travel solo at least once in their lifetime. I promise you will love it.