The Hike Was Worth It. I Wasn’t Sure I Was.

Petra looks different when you’re gasping for air. Two hours of scrambling up stone steps, sweat stinging my eyes, and every photo I took felt like proof I’d made it—except I wasn’t sure what I’d actually found. Everyone talks about the view at the top, but nobody mentions the quiet panic halfway up, when you realize you’re alone, out of breath, and too stubborn to turn back. I wanted the postcard shot. Instead, I got a reminder: sometimes the hardest part isn’t the climb, it’s admitting you’re not as strong as you hoped. I stood there, looking out over Petra, feeling small and a little bit lost. The view was incredible. I still haven’t posted the photo. #TravelConfessions #SoloHiking #PetraUnfiltered #Travel