The Unexpected Gift of Discomfort: What 8 Days of Solo Travel in Croatia Taught Me

Today, I’m saying goodbye to Dubrovnik, Croatia, and I’m catching a flight home a different person than the one who arrived.

For the past eight days, I’ve been on a solo journey, not just across the globe, but deep into myself. I set out on this trip with a single goal: to prove that I could stand alone and be completely at ease in my own company. What I got was so much more than a simple validation of independence. I received a vital, albeit uncomfortable, lesson in self-worth.

The Hard Truth of Day One: When Plans Fall Apart

My trip started with a baptism by fire. The first day of travel was a chaotic comedy of errors: delayed planes, impossible connecting flights, and finally, missing a connection that put me into Croatia 11 hours late. I was already running on fumes, and the lodging I had booked—an Airbnb I chose to "save money"—only compounded the stress.

Perched atop a remote hill, isolated from everything, it was dark and logistically challenging. The isolation, combined with the stress of travel, made it dangerously easy to slip into a place of deep processing. I was suddenly face-to-face with heavy emotions I hadn't truly confronted in nearly six years.

I questioned the entire trip. I questioned myself. Why did I come all this way just to be miserable? I wondered if maybe this was the point—if the universe wanted me to be uncomfortable while finally facing the parts of myself I had neglected.

The Breakthrough: No More Scraps

After two days filled with tears, journaling, and a deep, agonizing honesty, the truth hit me: I had been giving myself scraps.

In life, in work, and in my personal care, I was operating from a place that never felt truly deserving of the best. I chose the isolated, dark apartment because it was cheaper, mirroring how I often short-changed myself in bigger ways. I realized I was not treating myself with the same care and love that I pour into my clients, my followers, or my loved ones.

And so, I made a radical decision: I ate the cost of the unused Airbnb and moved. I booked myself into a beautiful resort hotel on the beach.

It was the single best decision of the trip.

Moving to that bright, peaceful space wasn't an act of luxury; it was an act of self-respect. It shifted the entire energy of the week. Over the last six days, I didn't just sit with myself; I sat with a renewed sense of confidence and self-worth. I finally allowed myself to receive the care and beauty that I deserve.

The Day That Fed My Soul: Facing My Fears

While the views of the Adriatic have been stunning, my favorite day—the day that truly solidified my transformation—was the Blue and Green Caves boat tour.

This single excursion forced me to confront several fears at once: my social anxiety, the sheer openness of the ocean, and knowing I’d have to swim under and through things to see the caves' true magic.

I pushed past the anxiety, and what happened next was incredible: I met seven strangers who were so genuinely kind and friendly that they turned the excursion into an absolute joy. They made me laugh, they made me feel welcome, and together, we explored the hidden wonders of the Croatian coast. I faced my fears, and in doing so, I felt an extraordinary surge of vitality and gratitude.

That day also provided a moment of potential life impact. I met a couple who opened up to me about their 18-year-old daughter who is recovering from anorexia and hopes to get into dietetics. Sharing my own journey and expertise with them, I realized the immense potential to connect with and mentor her as she begins her career. That possibility—to guide a young woman through her passion—is a profound takeaway I hadn't expected.

Thank You, Croatia

Even as I catch a cold on my final day (a small price to pay!), I am overflowing with gratitude.

Croatia, the people, the fresh food, the endless ocean views—they have all fed my soul. I’m thankful that the hard work I’ve put into rebuilding myself over the last few years provided me with the opportunity to take this trip. More importantly, I’m thankful that this journey gave me the opportunity to remember exactly who I am.

I am a badass, strong woman who traveled across the world alone to explore, process, and simply be with herself.

If there's one lesson I want to share from this incredible experience, it's this: Stop giving yourself scraps. You are worthy of the nicest hotel, the deepest care, the most joyful experiences, and the unapologetic pursuit of your own peace. Go book the thing. Do the hard work. Invest in yourself.

Now, it's time to bring this renewed energy and clarity home. I can't wait to share what comes next!