Table For One: The Art of Doing it Alone

How Solo Travel Can Change Your Life

One of my proudest accomplishments was when I filled a journal from front to back during my four-month study abroad semester in Barcelona.

I know what you’re thinking:
“Only one?” or “... greatest accomplishment? Girl, get a job.”

Yes — it was a small journal. But it represents something much bigger.

Looking back, I realize that through high school and college, I rarely did things alone. I always had friends or family by my side. If I needed to run an errand, I’d beg my roommate to come. Eating dinner alone? Absolutely not.

When you study abroad, you expect — thanks to Instagram highlight reels — that you’ll instantly find your perfect group for spontaneous, every-crazy-day adventures.

Spoiler alert: Not always true.

This picture sums up the neighborhood of Gràcia — amazing, narrow streets and rows of terraces.

I chose to live with a host family in the neighborhood of Gràcia, while most other students stayed in dorms or shared apartments. I had a few friends, but we lived separate lives in different neighborhoods. Eventually, I realized:

I could either wait for someone to do things with me, or I could do them on my own.

So I grabbed my journal — and I went.

Sometimes I sat on park benches in quiet plazas. Other days, I’d head to the beach at sunset. Occasionally, I found a spot outside landmarks like the Sagrada Família or the Barcelona Cathedral.

I liked to imagine people were looking and wondering about me — ‘the mysterious American girl, lost in her own world.’

But of course, no one was paying attention.
And guess what?
They aren’t paying attention to you either.

I still remember the first time I asked for a table for one. It was a tiny Italian place around the corner from my apartment in Gràcia.

My American, waitress-trained brain worried: Am I taking up a whole table and server’s time just for myself?

Wrong.

I deserved to take up space. And the staff treated me just like any other guest.

Over time, dining solo became something I craved. I discovered how peaceful it is to enjoy your own company. I could slow down, reflect, and make decisions entirely for myself — something that feels rare while traveling.

Quick note:
In the U.S., servers rely heavily on tips, so solo diners aren’t always great for their income. (Though as a waitress myself, I never cared.) In Europe, it’s different — servers are paid hourly, so there’s no guilt in taking up a table for one. Enjoy your meal at your own pace. And yes — if service is great, leave a few coins. That whole “don’t tip in Europe” thing? A myth.

And what did I do while I sat there — red wine in hand, an entire pizza in front of me?

Sometimes I’d call my mom. But most often, I’d pull out my journal.

Writing allowed me to be fully present. It gave my solo moments a quiet sense of purpose. I wasn’t just passing through — I was participating, observing, living.

If you’re nervous about doing something alone, bring a journal. Let it be your silent companion, your therapist, your proof that you were there.

Not sure what to journal about?

Answer these questions:
Where are you? What do you see? What do you hear? How does this place make you feel?

We get so caught up chasing the perfect Instagram story, it’s easy to forget to be where your feet are.

Solo travel is scary — especially as a young woman. You’ll have moments when you ache to share experiences with loved ones. You’ll question your confidence. But remember how strong you are for choosing to do it anyway.

By the time I left Barcelona, I had a new sense of independence and clarity.

I know myself more deeply than I ever have.

I love myself more fully than I ever have — and we all know how hard that can be.

That little journal? It’s more than a travel tip — it’s how I learned to be comfortable alone. And now I have an entire notebook of private thoughts, memories, and growth from a chapter that changed me.

Maybe you’ll start with a journal and a pizza… but you’ll leave with confidence, clarity, and a quiet kind of strength that’s yours alone.

Have you ever traveled solo? What helped you feel confident?
Share your story in the comments — I’d love to hear from you.