As we are approaching the New Year typically we tend to lean into a feeling of an ending. However, I feel just the opposite because I’ve begun celebrating my birthday as my official New Year so I am revved up! Birthdays are so important to me and I always like to have my way. I am the author of my reality and I feel like how I celebrate myself and my birthday sets the tone for the type of year I’m going to have. Similar to how people set New Year resolutions. Typically I do a vision board around my birthday and envision how I want that new chapter to go. I felt like being near beautiful clear blue water and having my hair blowing in the wind. Which is what led me to celebrate in Puerto Rico. Whenever I tell someone I do things by myself I am usually met with shock and intrigue. This was one of those moments. The recurring response I got was “How?” followed by “Oh no, why?” I love doing things out of the box so these responses make me happy.

My Puerto Rico excursion was random and last minute but I do not regret it one bit. It was truly magical and probably one of the best trips I have ever been on. I am what I call a spontaneous planner so I had an idea of what I wanted to do and I just started putting things in motion. I booked an oceanfront suite at the La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort. I booked my rental car and then I started planning my looks. I debated on a rental but being as though I was alone, I feel more comfortable having personal means of transportation just in case I need to skedaddle.

As soon as I stepped off the plane a strong sense of euphoria swept over me. The weather was absolutely beautiful. The sun felt like a blanket on my skin and the airport gave me a purple Jeep Wrangler which I immediately removed the top on. My suite looked like a mini apartment it was cute and quaint. I explored the hotel and ended up at the outdoor pool bar and had a great conversation with the bartender and other guests. One of the best things about solo traveling on your birthday is the generosity you receive. Once people here “ It’s my birthday” everything becomes complimentary, I got so many free meals and drinks from strangers. With free food, drinks, great weather, good conversation, and the ocean I was truly in paradise.

My trip was filled with all of the things I love. I went to Tavola; a speakeasy near my hotel. A speakeasy is a bar or lounge disguised as something inconspicuous. I love art and history so no matter where I go I always try and visit a museum and or take a tour.

I got lost in The Museo De Arte De Puerto Rico for a few hours. One of my birthday resolutions was to document my life more. I am very reserved and private so this has been a real challenge for me. Pulling myself out of my shell is equivalent to nails being dragged against a chalkboard. outside of the museum, I asked a woman to take my photo and she kindly obliged in exchange for me taking hers. She was very kind and took multiple pics from different angles. You can tell a lot about a person by how they take photos. We struck up a conversation and she was in Puerto Rico on a solo birthday trip. I am a firm believer in alignment and syncronicities so this lit my inner child up. Once she told me her name was Audrey; my great-grandmother’s name, I knew I was in the exact I was supposed to be. We ended up getting lunch together at La Casita Blanca where I got to taste authentic Puerto Rican food.

I walked around Old San Juan which is a traditional tourist attraction it resembled the French Quarter in New Orleans to me, it’s the dream photo-op destination. I did some partying in Laplacitade Santurce they had good music. I got my makeup done at Sephora and had a nice birthday dinner at STK. I recommend everyone to try a solo trip at least once. As a single mom coming out of super survivor mode I got to live out one of my prayers of peace and fun guilt free. The trip was a dream come true, I got the best sleep and food and overall experience of my life I also very safe that’s all a girl could ask for.

Watch my first Vlog on my solo traveling experience and let me know what you think!