If there's one thing I've learned from over a decade of solo travel to 50+ countries, it's that solo travel is the best cure for a broken heart. When your heart is aching and your eyes are red from crying, all you want is an escape from the pain. You feel disconnected from the life you've been living, and your future. Heck, you feel disconnected from yourself! As Jimmy Ruffin once sang – "What becomes of the broken hearted?" Well, in my experience, they either dive into another relationship (problematic) or they try something different. Solo travel is the best cure for a broken heart because it helps you to reconnect with yourself, you hopes and dreams, while giving you a reason to fall back in love with life.

I'm well versed in the pain of a broken heart, I originally wrote this blog post over 10 years ago when I suffered my first real heartbreak when my nine-year relationship came to an end. Now, as I mark my 10th anniversary of solo travel inspired by that very moment, it seemed a perfect time to revisit this post and share the lessons I've learned about love over that decade. If you're struggling with a broken heart and it feels like you'll never be the same again, trust me, this is temporary. Life does get better, the pain fades and one day you will look back and feel like a completely different person.

A broken heart has been the catalyst for me to return to solo travel time and time again, it drives me to make huge changes in my life and seek the life I dream of living. But that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt like hell. If you've ever had your heart broken, you'll know that ache deep in your soul for the one you thought was your person. I think the worst thing about a break-up is grieving the loss of the life you pictured for the two of you. You don't even realise you're doing it but you really do pin so much hope and expectation on that life, so when it all comes crumbling down I often think that pain is worse than the loss of the actual relationship.

Solo travel after a broken heart? Here's where you'll find:

  1. How I've Used Solo Travel to Cure a Broken Heart
  2. Is solo travelling good for mental health?
  3. Is it good to travel alone after a breakup?
  4. Is travelling after a break-up just running away?
  5. Where to travel when your heart is broken?
  6. Planning your first solo trip

 

How I've Used Solo Travel to Cure a Broken Heart

I've had two big relationship break-ups in my life, both of long-term relationships and both very traumatic moments in my life. The first, when I was 25 but the break-up of a nine-year relationship. The second was three years later when I was forced to leave a relationship where I was living abroad and experienced domestic violence. I've written very honestly about my experiences with domestic violence in the hopes it will help other women to find the strength to leave their situations. Regardless of the situation, the pain of a broken heart is the same and grieving over a relationship takes time. After my first relationship broke down, I was motivated to finally book a solo trip to the other side of the world. At that point in my life, I just wanted to escape, to leave my job and home behind and travel the world. I planned a year of solo travel to heal my broken heart, but I ended up solo travelling for years and it sparked something in me. If it wasn't for that trip, this blog wouldn't exist and I wouldn't get paid to speak about solo travel and the incredible impact it has had on my life.

The breakdown of my second relationship, first I took some time out to heal. Then I was inspired to finally take the trip I've been dreaming of for my whole life – to go backpacking solo through Central and South America. I spent five months travelling solo from Mexico to Colombia but then the world shut down for the infamous virus. It was some of the best few months of my life and I genuinely felt the freest and happiest I had done in years. Both trips taught me so much about myself and helped me to reconnect with who I want to be and my goals in life. Solo travel boosted my confidence, helped me to relearn how to value myself and to stop questioning everything. I regained that spark that makes me Lucy.

Is solo travelling good for mental health?

Solo travel can be transformative for your mental health. However, I preface this by saying if you do struggle with mental health challenges, those will follow you around the world. Mental health doesn't just disappear because you're in a bikini in the sunshine and much like you will still feel the pain of a break-up when solo travelling, you could also still experience anxiety or depression. Speaking from my own experience, I have found solo travel to be the best catalyst for improving my self-confidence, mental health and for helping me to become my best self. While yes, I've felt lonely at times and I've felt sad, I've also found great friendships, a real passion for life and travel and a sense of fulfilment that I have never found elsewhere.

Is it good to travel alone after a breakup?

Travelling solo after a break-up is one of the best ways to get outside your comfort zone and really challenge yourself. It is scary, but when you're already in a world of pain and need a change, it's the best time to take the leap. While travelling with friends is great, you will experience true personal growth through solo travel and it will transform you into the person you want to be.

Is travelling after a break-up just running away?

Choosing solo travel after a break-up is not running away. I hear this a lot but honestly? I think choosing to leave a relationship that no longer serves you and walking away from toxic relationships is one of the hardest things you can do. It takes real strength and bravery, especially when the "easier" or "safer" option is to stay. After an experience like that, solo travel teaches you so much about yourself and the world, it challenges you every day and no matter what people think, solo travel isn't easy. Perhaps solo travel is actually just running towards the life you want to be living, towards personal growth and a chance to focus on you.

Where to travel when your heart is broken?

There are so many amazing destinations to plan a solo trip when you've had your hear broken. I recommend avoiding the traditional "romantic" or 'honeymoon" style destinations and instead focus on travel where you get to experience something new. You don't have to plan a huge trip – it could be a weekend away or a week's holiday to refresh yourself. Or, if you have the budget and the annual leave, you can look at taking a longer trip and perhaps even a backpacking adventure. When choosing your destination – always think about whether there is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you can finally tick off your bucket list along the way. Achieving something incredible just for you is a great way to boost your confidence and remind yourself how great life can be.

The best short-haul destinations for a solo trip after heartbreak

Don't forget to check out my solo travel location guides for inspiration for trips worldwide!

Long-haul destinations to travel solo after a broken heart

Planning Your First Solo Trip

If you've made it this far, there's a good chance you're getting the itch to start planning your first solo trip! I'm so excited for you and I'm here to help every step of the way. First you'll want to read my blog posts on How to Prepare for First Time Solo Travel and 10 Lessons I've Learned From 10 Years of Solo Travel – these will help you to feel ready to plan a trip and to fast-track a lot of the lessons I've learned along the way.

If you're feeling like solo travel and relationships just aren't compatible – read Yes I Still Travel Solo, Even Though I'm In A Relationship – it will help you feel more confident that you can live a life of solo travel while still finding love.

Then for the practical stuff, check out these blogs:

If you're nervous to travel alone, but want to try solo travel, why not check out G Adventures' new Solo-ish Adventures?