47 thoughts I had during my first solo travel trip to Brussels

I’ve always been a pretty nervous traveller. I don’t like flying very much; I always leave myself way too much time when I need to get a train, and I’m constantly doubting myself. When I turned 30 a couple of years ago, I realised I’d never been on holiday by myself. I’d watched some of my best friends go on weekend breaks or beach holidays alone, or they’d already done their solo travelling during their gap years. It wasn’t something I’d experienced myself, but I knew I wanted to do it both as a challenge to myself and because I didn’t want to wait around for a hypothetical partner or a friend to be free to explore new places.

Just before my 31st birthday last year, I stopped thinking about it and booked a weekend solo trip to Brussels. I’d get the Eurostar (something else I wanted to try for the first time) to this new European city and do an overnight stay. It was a short enough trip so I wasn’t throwing myself in at the deep end but long enough that it wasn’t similar to taking myself out for a coffee at home. On trips with my family or friends, I’m pretty laidback as someone else tends to be the one organising activities or navigating us to new spots. It was all on me for this trip, however. I wasn’t totally sure what to expect from my first solo travel trip but I learned a lot about navigating a new place by myself and spending extended time alone.

Below are all the thoughts I had during my first foray into solo travel.

47 thoughts I had during my first solo travel trip to Brussels

1. Oh god, do you need a passport for the Eurostar? Yes obviously, come on.
2. And is that passport in my bag? Let me check for the 23rd time.
3. They really need to get more seating at the Eurostar station, sitting on the floor is pretty gauche.
4. I probably shouldn’t wear headphones, the tannoy keeps announcing information every five minutes. Seems unnecessary but maybe this is normal?
5. Surely all these people aren’t going to fit onto this one train…
6. No, they do all fit onboard. Wow, these trains are so much nicer than the UK ones.
7. It’s been 10 minutes and I’ve read the same page of this book so many times. I guess I’ll go back to people watching.
8. I wonder where everyone is going? Are they thinking the same thing about me?
9. Travelling alone on a train to Europe is very chic, actually. It’s Carrie-coded.
10. Or more Samantha-coded?
11. Lugging around a suitcase is actually really annoying.
12. The Brussels train station is so big. Where am I going?
13. Okay, there’s a sign for public transport and the family in front of me seem to be doing the same thing. I’ll follow them…
14. Nope, that didn’t work. Let me ask this man in a high-vis jacket.
15. Sorry, the metro stop being outside the train station makes no sense. Even the London tube is more logical than this.
16. Booking a hotel in the city centre was certainly a choice.
17. Oh, but it’s actually lovely inside!
18. But why did the receptionist ask if I’m visiting alone? Do they ask everyone? Or am I giving off a vibe?
19. It’s fine, she probably asks all the guests that question.
20. Having a bath is pretty self indulgent but I deserve it! That’s solo travel baby!
21. I guess I should think about going out for dinner. Dining alone isn’t a big deal. Nobody cares that you’ll be eating alone. It’s all in your head.
22. Right?
23. I’ll take a book with me just in case, but it might be nice to just eat without distraction.
24. Wow, time is really stretching out tonight… How do people eat dinner alone? Is there a right way to do this?
25. Brussels is pretty stunning at night.
26. OK, new day. Let’s find coffee.
27. I can’t believe I have to navigate by myself. I hate this.
28. Another wrong turn, brilliant.
29. A free coffee? And the sun is shining? This morning has really turned itself around.
30. This book is pure brilliance, I’ll read one more chapter and make a move.
31. … And that book is finished. Time really moves differently on your own. The world is my oyster!
32. I’m kind of bored.
33. I haven’t spoken out loud for a while. I’ll call Georgia and see what she’s doing.
34. Brussels’ buildings are so grand and dramatic.
35. I have no photos of myself on this trip, huh.
36. I could stop someone and ask them to take a photo of me, but it feels too cringey.
37. Remember selfie sticks? Retro.
38. I kind of want to go on a Tootbus tour.
39. Yeah I’m going to do it. Nobody is paying attention to you.
40. Are they?
41. You’re not the main character of Brussels, get over yourself.
42. This tour guide is pretty eccentric, I love it.
43. What time is my train home again?
44. Brussels is so walkable. Maybe I could move here.
45. This coffee is expensive. Maybe I shouldn’t move here.
46. I can do whatever I want!
47. Embracing the cringe feels pretty good actually.