solo travel: is it really as easy as people say?

I’ve always dreamed of packing my bags and heading out on my own, just to see if I could really do it. Last month, I finally booked a solo trip to Vancouver. I thought it would be a breeze—just me, my suitcase, and a list of must-see spots. But honestly, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. For starters, I spent half an hour trying to figure out the public transit system, only to end up two neighborhoods away from where I wanted to be. And when it came to joining group tours or activities, I felt a bit awkward being the only one without a travel buddy. It’s funny—everyone talks about the freedom of solo travel, but no one mentions how tricky it can be to eat alone at a busy restaurant or ask strangers to take your photo (I have way too many blurry selfies now). I’m curious: for those of you who’ve traveled solo, especially in North America, how do you actually stay safe and make the most of local activities? Do you have any tricks for meeting people without feeling out of place? I can’t be the only one who’s found solo travel a bit more complicated than all those travel blogs make it seem. Sometimes I wonder if the adventure is worth the hassle, or if I’m just missing some secret hacks that everyone else knows. #solotravel #travelstruggles #over50travel #Travel