Solo travel was not just for fun. From a young age, I faced significant challenges, including growing up with a single mother who struggled financially and emotionally, and enduring personal traumas such as sexual abuse, anorexia, and clinical depression. These experiences instilled in me a fierce independence and ambition, leading me to embark on transformative solo journeys across various continents in my early twenties. Traveling through Cuba by bicycle, hitchhiking across 15 Latin American countries, living in Nepal, and cycling through Southeast Asia and China reshaped my perspective on life and humanity. These solo travel experiences became a foundation for self-discovery and personal growth.
Solo Travel Can Mess Your Plans Up
These journeys prompted a shift in my aspirations. I moved away from a dream of working in the UN’s Humanitarian Department to focus on grassroots initiatives and, more importantly, my own healing and identity building. Attending a Vipassana meditation retreat at 22 marked the beginning of deeper self-exploration, which later included delving into shamanism and discovering Japanese psychology with The DoToInstitute. These transformative travel experiences allowed me to find peace and purpose in my past, reframing my childhood challenges as stepping stones on the path to wellness and empowerment.
Solo Travel as a Turning Point
A relapse into depression became a turning point. Determined to realign with my values and purpose—empowering women—I took another sabbatical seeking clarity. I discovered a book on Ikigai (“reason for living”) and first learned about Morita Therapy. This led to empowered.travel, a platform guiding women through life transitions via intentional travel. Blending regenerative living, Japanese psychology, and healing frameworks, I emphasize small, meaningful steps over quick fixes. For women planning a solo trip or sabbatical, intentional travel offers a powerful path to growth and renewal.
Solo Travel Tools
Through empowered.travel, I aim to provide women with the tools to empower themselves—tools that enable them to step into their purpose, take meaningful action in the present, and understand the interconnectedness of all things. By cultivating self-awareness, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose, I hope to help women realize their full potential while fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the world around us, including the natural world. Whether it’s through a carefully planned travel itinerary or a spontaneous trip to go explore, intentional travel can be one of the best solo travel experiences for personal and collective empowerment.
Power of Intentional Solo Travel
In essence, my work is about transforming personal adversity into a source of strength and inspiration for others. By sharing my journey and the lessons learned along the way, I strive to create a movement where women—empowered to lead from a place of alignment, purpose, and self-care—become agents of positive change. Solo female travel, when approached with intention, becomes a tool for women empowerment and a path to wellness, especially for those experiencing burnout, painful divorce or seeking clarity during sabbaticals. By embracing travel for busy women and curating the best solo travel destinations, we can inspire future generations to thrive individually and collectively.
Transformation Through Solo Travel
Empowering women through intentional travel is not just about exploring the world; it’s about creating a travel (and life) plan that aligns with their values and aspirations. It’s about showing that even the most challenging experiences can lead to profound transformation. Whether you’re embarking on a solo trip or looking for the best for travel options, these journeys can reignite your passion and provide clarity. Travel trips like these remind us that healing, growth, and purpose are attainable for anyone ready to take the first step.
Read more about Monika’s intimate journey in this interview for the Places of Healing, How Monika Lewicka is Redefining Transformative Journeys for Women, December 2024.
