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From North Shields to Amsterdam, one post-lockdown adventure and the quiet confidence that followed.

Today, my facebook memories served up a little reminder: the solo trip to Amsterdam that quietly changed my life.

Escaping lockdown

Four years ago this April, I did something that felt both small but was lifechanging. I went on my first solo trip. I booked a ferry from North Shields to Amsterdam just as Covid restrictions began to ease. I’d had my jabs, I’d had enough of staying put and I wanted that simple thing we’d all missed; freedom of movement. I could have flown but the ferry felt right. Two firsts in one; a solo crossing and a solo arrival with no one waiting for me on the other side.

I booked a cabin on the DFDS Seaways ferry, packed light and set off. It was a simple decision but it nudged something into place that I didn’t fully understand until later.

The crossing that changed something in me

Stepping onto that ferry on my own felt like reclaiming a part of myself I’d lost. As we pulled away from the North Shields coastline, the slow glide out to sea felt oddly symbolic. After years of feeling boxed in, I was finally moving again.

I was a bit apprehensive too. Would it feel awkward wandering into the restaurants and bars by myself? Would people stare if I sat alone in the à la carte restaurant?

Then I gave myself a quick reality check: What’s the alternative? Hide in the cabin all night like a hermit crab? Why let the imagined opinions of strangers keep me confined?

So I didn’t. I explored the ship, ate where I fancied and wandered where I pleased.

With each small choice, I settled into a new thought: I was doing this on my own and I could.

Arriving in Amsterdam: a proper breath of fresh air

By the time I arrived, I felt lighter. Being in a new city on my own after so much restriction, was freeing in ways I hadn’t expected.

• I trusted myself again: navigating streets and making decisions without overthinking.
• I noticed everything: the canals, the streets, the people and the rhythm of the place.
• When the Van Gogh Museum queue was epic, I went next door instead and had a brilliant time at the Moca Museum instead.
• My creativity came back: new surroundings woke up ideas that had gone a bit quiet.
• I loved setting my own pace; no schedules, no compromises, just doing what felt right.

It wasn’t just a trip. It was a reset.

What solo travel gave back to me

That first solo trip helped me reconnect with myself in ways I didn’t expect.

• Restorative solitude: after years of isolation and uncertainty.
• Emotional clarity: distance has a funny way of sharpening things.
• Resilience: built through the tiny decisions that prove you can rely on yourself.
• Joy: choosing what you want without negotiating it with anyone.

Those feelings didn’t fade when I got home.

Solo trips have been a restorative lifeline ever since, a way to discover new places while giving my mind (and soul) a bit of room to breathe.

And it turns out I’m very much not alone.

Women are driving the solo travel boom

Women now make up more than three-quarters of all solo travellers. Since the pandemic, interest has climbed fast: searches for “solo female travel” reportedly jumped five-fold compared with pre-pandemic levels, and rose again in 2025.

2026 Solo Female Travel Trends and Statistics

It doesn’t feel like a passing fad. It feels like a shift.

A few reasons come up over and over again:

• Freedom — your pace, your plans, your priorities.
• Reset— reclaiming time, space and independence.
• Social media — helping to make solo travel look normal (because it is) and more doable.
• Better options — more women-only tours, safer stays and supportive communities.

The numbers behind the rise

• Women influence 82% of travel decisions globally.
• Safety matters, but confidence is growing: only 1% reported being unable to keep themselves safe.
• Community helps: 81% look to solo female travel groups for advice, and 72% ask friends and family.

In short: confidence is up and women are backing each other.

Solo Female Travel Statistics (2025): 25 Eye-Opening Facts You Need to Know ✈️ – Backpack Brands

Staying safe while travelling alone

Solo travel feels even better when you feel secure. There are loads of guides for pretty much everywhere now, but wherever I go, a few simple habits help me stay safe.

Five things I do before and during a solo trip:

• Do a quick safety scan — neighbourhoods, transport, local customs and common scams.
• Check official guidance — travel advisories and local updates.
• Book smart — well-reviewed accommodation and sensible arrival times.
• Share my plans — I send my itinerary to someone I trust and check in.
• Stay alert and trust my gut — aware, not on edge; if it feels off, I leave.

Safety is the number-one consideration for many solo female travellers but it isn’t stopping us. It’s not about fear; it’s about protecting the freedom that makes solo travel so rewarding.

The data suggests that while women are cautious, we’re also capable and prepared.

A final note

If you’ve never taken a solo trip before, consider this your gentle nudge.

Whether you want to:

• reclaim your independence
• prioritise your wellbeing
• find a bit of clarity and rest
• embrace a little adventure
• learn to trust yourself again

Even a weekend away can be enough. Let the noise of everyday life melt away in the quiet freedom of being unknown in a new place. Wander, rest, explore, breathe and whatever you need.

And honestly? Who cares what anyone thinks. As the saying goes: those who matter won’t mind; those who mind don’t matter.

Just remember: stay safe, stay curious, and let the world meet you where you are.

Thanks for reading!