If you’ve lost a spouse recently, you might felt like the world has ended for you. It is no fun being a widow. It’s easy to want to retreat into yourself and wait for things to get better. But what if I told you there was an amazing way to honor your loved one while also getting back out into the world again? Solo travel is exactly that: a way of giving yourself space and time away from everything so that when you return home, re-engaging with life feels easier than ever before. You may even learn something about yourself along the way! Here are some ways solo travel can help widows re-engage with life after loss:
You can learn so much about yourself as a widow.
You may discover that you are capable of so much more than you ever thought, or that there are some things in life that just aren’t for you. Either way, it’s an opportunity to grow as a person and to better understand who you are and what makes you happy.
You will also learn things about your travel preferences—what works for someone else may not work for you! Even if it does, it might be different than expected. For example, I love being able to go into whatever restaurant catches my eye nearly anywhere I’m traveling. However, I’ve craved a quiet dinner alone at home after spending the day with hundreds of people at Universal Studios Hollywood during Halloween Horror Nights (yes, we went through all three parks).
You don’t have to go to a far destination as a widow.
Of course, you don’t have to go too far away. You can still travel solo and have a great time!
You should also make sure that the place you choose is within your budget so that it doesn’t cost an arm or leg when it comes time to pay the bill at checkout time (and believe us – we understand how stressful that can be). This doesn’t mean that if there are things close by like museums or shops then those won’t count towards your total cost either; however, if they do add up quickly then make sure they aren’t necessary purchases before buying them otherwise they could end up costing more than what they were worth!
It doesn’t have to be all about you—you can do things to honor the person you lost.
You can also travel to a place that was important to your loved one, or visit a place you’ve always wanted to go but never had the chance. Donate in your loved one’s name, whether it’s money (or time) directly benefitting organizations that helped him or her in life. If there is a charity where he or she volunteered his or her time, you could make this your destination–this becomes an opportunity for celebrating his/her legacy and giving back at the same time.
Your vacation can be for a cause
If you’re looking for a way to travel that gives back as a widow, volunteering is an excellent option. You can do this during your journey by teaching English, helping out at an animal shelter or working with kids. If you’d rather plan ahead, there are plenty of websites that help connect travelers with the volunteer opportunities they want most. Volunteermatch is one such site; others include Volunteer Forever and Global Volunteers.
If none of those options sound appealing and you don’t have time to commit to another long-term trip, consider a shorter-term trip to help out with disaster relief efforts in communities affected by natural disasters or political conflicts. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity offer short-term trips where volunteers work side by side on building projects in places like Haiti or Guatemala; this combines travel with giving back!
Kudos to You
When you return home, remind yourself of everything you accomplished and how much you’ve grown. Not just as a widow, but as a person. The experience will help you move forward by giving you a new perspective on life and the world around you. You can also use it to help others—you may find that talking about your trip offers comfort to a friend struggling with their own loss.
It’s important not to isolate yourself after a loss; there are many widows out there who are dealing with similar issues as well as those who have travelled before or would like to do so in the future. If you decide to go on a solo trip, whether with a small group or a travel partner, kudos to you. It shows that although you are widowed, you want to let go of grief. Check out a tour company that you can sign up. Go on that solo journey and get to know new places and shrug off loneliness. Whether a local or international tour, it is worth it. P.S, go with a journal or write a book!
Solo travel is a great way to get out of your comfort zone
Solo travel is a great way to get out of your comfort zone, learn about yourself and the world around you, connect with other people who share your interest in traveling and see the world. It is not all about you; it can be something that honors the person you lost. You don’t have to do things alone—you can join groups or meet others on the road.
It is also possible to combine solo travel with volunteering abroad or helping out in orphanages while traveling solo through Asia or South America. When done right, this will help you feel like part of an extended family while giving back to people who need assistance more than ever before.
You don’t have to remarry to go on a cruise
There are plenty of cruises that cater to people traveling alone, and you’ll meet some great people along the way. You can even bring your children along with you if they’re old enough. If you want to go on a cruise, there are many options for you to choose from. All-inclusive vacations include airfare and hotel accommodations. You are not a widow here. You are just a solo traveler going on a tour to see new places. Whether you board a cruise line or use a train, you can tally your itinerary to make sure you have fun.
Conclusion
We hope that the tips above have inspired you to take a solo trip. Solo travel can be an amazing way to get out of your comfort zone and re-experience life after loss. It’s also a great way to connect with other people who share your interest in exploring the world, or an opportunity to do something for others on their behalf (like volunteering abroad). Best of all? No matter where you end up going, or what kind of experience you have during your time away from home; when it comes time for you return home again–you’ll feel more confident than ever before!