When I told people I was going on my first solo trip, the reactions ranged from “Isn’t that dangerous?” to “But you’re a woman, aren’t you scared?” to my personal favorite: “What if something happens to you and no one knows where you are?”

Most people who warned me about solo travel had never tried it. Most people who told me certain countries were dangerous had never been there. They were just repeating what their brains told them, which was the same thing their brains told them.

Your brain is wired to keep you safe. That’s its job. But it can’t tell the difference between danger and unfamiliar situations.

I remember traveling to Ecuador when several people warned me not to go. They told me it was dangerous, that I shouldn’t walk around alone, and that something bad would probably happen.

I’ll admit it… they scared me. My brain imagined every worst-case scenario.

But instead of canceling my trip, I spent time researching the areas I wanted to visit, reading recent experiences from other travelers, and talking to locals once I arrived.

The reality couldn’t have been more different from what I had imagined. People were welcoming, I felt comfortable in the places I visited, and I ended up having an amazing trip.

That experience taught me an important lesson: fear often comes from stories we’ve heard, not from our own experiences. 

Looking back, I’m glad I didn’t let other people’s fears become my reality. Ecuador reminded me that researching a destination and experiencing it yourself are two very different things. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean nothing can ever go wrong. Just like at home, being in the wrong place at the wrong time is always a possibility. No destination is completely risk-free. That’s why I never rely on luck, I rely on preparation. I research my destination, stay aware of my surroundings, trust my instincts, and make smart decisions. Those habits have allowed me to travel to more than 64 countries with confidence.