Any new endeavor comes with its territory of challenges. “You have to learn to crawl before you learn to walk”, as Steven Tyler once said. I’m here to highlight the bumps in the road that I’ve encountered along this ride so far and reveal the unseen imperfections of nomadic living.

Finding the “perfect” stay 

Nothing is ever truly perfect, but my OCD won’t let me rest until I find accommodations that meet most of my needs. I will spend hours scrolling through various rental homes that a) fit my budget, b) have the amenities I require, and c) are in a good location and safe neighborhood. This can all be very time-consuming. 

I learned my lesson the hard way when I didn’t thoroughly research the neighborhood I had booked. I stayed in a really nice, modern condo that looked great in photos, everything was brand new, but the street it was located on was a bit grungy and did not feel safe. I found myself needing to check my surroundings before leaving the house or getting out of my car, and living in constant survival mode is far from enjoyable. Now, I make it a point to check the location on Google Maps and review real photos of the street and surrounding areas. I will also research the neighborhood by Googling and searching on TikTok for any pointers. As a woman, my safety is top priority when finding my next stay.  

I’ve also learned that not every accommodation will have all the amenities I desire. Sometimes, I have to prioritize a good price or location over certain comforts—you can’t have it all! The amenities that I always search for that satisfy my comfort level are: 

It takes a lot of time searching for the right place and can be stressful, especially when time is cutting close and places are limited. It’s always good to plan ahead, but the downside to that is if you change plans then you might lose money as some places do not offer full refunds, or you can’t get out of a contract. In the beginning of my travels, I was booking ahead, but I quickly learned that plans can change, so I’ve allowed myself to procrastinate until I am absolutely sure. 

Traveling around a work schedule 

As a 9-5 remote worker, I can only plan my travel days around my work schedule, which is only on the weekends since I work during the week. This becomes a challenge when I’m on a time crunch to get from one location to another before Monday comes around. It has also put me in the position to book an in-between stay for an entire work week just to wait for my next day off to travel. Also, some places are not always available to book on weekends because that is the busiest time when most people are doing weekend getaways. It’s all hit or miss! 

Budgeting 

The one thing about having an annual lease on an apartment is that the price you pay monthly remains constant. You are paying a fixed price every month, so you know what to expect. Being a traveling nomad, you aren’t always paying the same cost of living each month. Some months are lower than others, while some months are higher than your budget. It all depends on the location and what you are looking for. For me, I will pay a higher price for my safety and dealbreakers, but I will search until I find the lowest cost possible or one that is negotiable. I’ve noticed the daily rate for longer term stays (1+ months) are more cost-effective rather than shorter term stays. When I travel week to week, I often exceed my monthly budget, which quickly becomes a challenge. I’d much rather stay in one place for at least a month—it’s easier on my wallet and saves me from the constant moving around that eventually wears me out.

Physically moving 

Speaking of moving around a lot, I’m a petite person and I travel with a lot of stuff. I drive a Lexus NX, so it has a ton of space to hold all my junk, but when you’re a solo traveler like me, it can really take a toll on your body. This goes for solo travelers not living out of their vehicle, RV, sprinter, etc. My type of traveling is like moving into a new home at every destination. This is especially tough on short-term travels, which is anything under a month stay. The constant unloading and reloading my car becomes a burden. My Airbnb in Salt Lake City was in an apartment complex, so hauling my stuff up and down the stairs and through elevators was quite the struggle. However, I have a retractable wagon that has been a lifesaver for carrying everything—it’s truly a game-changer! 

Although my car is packed to the brim with all my things, I make a point to separate out only what I truly need for shorter stays, leaving the rest in the car. This means I also have to pack specifically for each short-term stay, sorting through clothes I think I’ll wear during that period. 

For longer term stays, I unload all my belongings and make myself at home. The upside to partially unloading my things is that I don’t have to lug as much stuff, but the downside is that I am leaving belongings in my car with the risk of someone breaking in. That is why I prefer a secured parking space, making sure I don’t leave anything too valuable in my car. 

Packing travel necessities 

As someone who has a lot of clothes and plans outfits for different occasions, it has been quite the challenge being selective to what I pack with me. When I moved out of my apartment, I sorted through everything and had to figure out what was coming with me versus what I was leaving behind in storage. Thankfully, I came across the perfect storage bags to help me organize my chaos.  

Here’s how I organize my packing, with everything available on my Amazon storefront:

Another huge help has been keeping “off-season” clothes at my parents’ house. When the weather shifted from summer to fall, I sent back some of my summer clothes, and my mom shipped me my warmer items. Having a home base and supportive parents to help swap out seasonal clothes is truly a blessing. 

The longer I travel, the more I realize how little I actually need—minimalism is the way to go. It’s eye-opening to recognize how much stuff I have versus what I truly use. If I find I need something along the way, I can always buy it or have it shipped to me. It’s not worth carrying items around “just in case.” I’m actively working on downsizing what I travel with, and it’s been a real revelation about the difference between what I own and what I actually use. This winter when I am back home for the holidays, I plan on purging my things and selling more clothes on my Depop, so keep a lookout to shop my closet! 

Traveling with a pet 

This may be an obvious one, but I do need to address the challenges of traveling with a pet. This has been a popular question that many people want to know. I would say that it may be different for anyone who travels with a pet based on the type of pet parent you are. I have a very clingy dog with separation anxiety, which, in turn, gives me anxiety too. She’s getting much better and becoming more adaptable to the travels, but I still have to consider her in all of my plans. For example, I’m not able to leave her alone to go do something for the entire day, and I’m not the type to leave her with a stranger. So, I’ll find dog-friendly things to do in order to bring her out for the day, or just leave her at home for a few hours at a time. Thankfully, I have a couple doggy cams to spy on her that give me a sense of relief.  

I’m constantly researching to see if destinations offer dog-friendly activities. Knowing the pet policies at potential destinations ahead of time is essential, as it can influence travel plans. At one point, I considered passing through South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore if I traveled east. Fortunately, I checked their pet policy in advance—they only allow pets in a specific area with limited views of the monument. As a solo traveler, if I’m just passing through a town, I have to bring my dog along for any sights I want to see; I can’t leave her in the car, and there’s no one else to watch her. It would have been disappointing to travel all that way only to miss out on seeing Mount Rushmore up close. Not all places are pet-friendly, but many places are. It’s just a matter of doing your research and knowing what the restrictions (if any) are. 

When it comes to restaurants, I’m constantly looking for patio seating that allows pets. I’ve had luck in most places and a lot of restaurants are so welcoming to pets. We live in a time where pets are more accepted in public places, and it makes life so much easier.  

I know what you’re probably thinking, “Just get her registered as a service dog.” Well, first, I don’t have a physical disability, but I have looked in psychiatric service dog registration (PSD) for my repeated panic attacks, however, the amount of training that entails is not something I can do. So, I have Ginger registered as an emotional support animal, but ESA’s are not always accepted as a service animal, so I’m still left paying regular pet fees. This goes for booking travel in general. Most rentals, hotels, and flights require pet fees and it can get very expensive. Side note, the Americana Motel in Flagstaff, Arizona does not require a pet fee and they are super pet-friendly! It’s such a relief finding these gems, which makes us pet owners very grateful.  

Detaching from reality 

Life on the road often makes me lose touch with reality and my sense of time. It feels as if time doesn’t exist, and I almost dissociate from everything happening outside my own bubble. Sometimes, it doesn’t even feel like the month I’m in matches up with my internal sense of time, or it feels as if none of this is real—as though I’m living in a dream or simulation. It’s hard to explain, but I think this feeling comes from the constant changes in my daily life as I move from one town to the next, constantly adapting to new surroundings. The frequent readjustments don’t give me enough time to settle into a consistent routine, making it easy to lose track of everything else happening around me. 

Thank goodness for social media—it’s my main way of staying connected with friends and family back home, as well as keeping up with what’s happening in the world. I try my best to check in and stay in touch, but sometimes I lose track of time and realize it’s been a while since I’ve talked to certain people. Being in a completely new town, let alone a different state, often feels like I’m on my own little island. 

Solo travel is not for the faint of heart—you almost have to be mentally wired for this lifestyle. As a naturally introverted person, isolation and living in my own little world isn’t unfamiliar to me. But even lone wolves like me crave human connection now and then. Fortunately, I’ve met people along the way and find myself engaging more with locals or other travelers I encounter during my outings. 

Being self-sufficient 

It’s a no-brainer that being a solo traveler you have to, well, do everything solo! It’s all on me to plan the trips, work full-time and finance my travels, pack up and unload my car, drive long distances even if I’m exhausted, go grocery shopping, feed myself and my dog, protect myself as a woman, and stay on top of every single thing in order to survive and make sure everything is ironed out.  

But guess what, I chose this life! I’m just saying, it all comes down to me. I have no one else other than myself to rely on to get from A to B. It can get pretty exhausting, but I also thrive on this way of living. I’d never trade this for a stagnant life—I need to keep moving and grooving. But trust me, I would be lying if I said I never laid my head at night dreaming about doing this all with a partner. It’s the ultimate goal for me to be sharing the beauty of this crazy life with someone and I’m manifesting that for myself someday. Until then, I will continue being the strong, independent Wonder Woman that I am. It’s in my nature to be. 

With all that said… 

This blog is not meant to discourage nor intimidate anyone seeking this lifestyle. These experiences are uniquely mine, and my intention is to be fully honest and transparent. Keep in mind, this is my first year of this new way of living, so there are learnings that I will consider as I continue on next year. Not every solo traveler will encounter the same challenges, which is why I emphasize that this is my personal journey. I’m the kind of person who prefers the straightforward truth over a sugar-coated view of anything I’m new to. I’ve seen countless vlogs and content from travel creators portraying this life as effortless, which is intriguing—but what’s the catch? For me, it’s all worth it because the experiences and sights I get to encounter minimize these challenges. In the end, if you’re passionate about something, nothing will stop you from pursuing it. 

So, bring it. 

XO, Tawnie