Ep 04: Reset, Recharge, and Reconnect: Solo Travel for Mental Wellness, with Osa

Osa Hirsch (00:00) And it was just so peaceful to be able to just be with yourself and have those moments. So I totally recommend that. people feel it’s scary, but I think as you get used to it, you can really understand the benefits of it. You have to be brave in life, go for it. Kelli Wall (00:16) Welcome to Solo Travel Unpacked, where we explore the world one solo travel story at a time. I’m your host Kelli and I believe that solo travel. is a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and connection. Each episode, we’ll meet a different solo traveler and hear their insights, experiences, and lessons learned. We’ll also take a look at a key solo travel topic to give you the tools and inspiration for your own adventure. It’s time to hear from today’s guest and unpack another solo travel story. Kelli Wall (00:46) If you love adventure but want the ease of group travel, G Adventures has been leading the way for over 30 years. They get what solo travelers want, flexible itineraries, smaller groups, to explore, and local guides who make sure you experience a destination in a way that you never could on your own. Visit the link in this episode description to book a trip with G Adventures. Kelli Wall (01:09) Welcome back to Solo Travel Impact, the podcast where we explore the world one solo travel story at a time. My guest today is Osa, an independent solo traveler who resides in New York. with six solo trips under her belt, including a recent trip to Block Island, Rhode Island. Osa has mastered the art of traveling on her own terms. She’s also no stranger to tropical escapes, having visited Hawaii more than 20 times. In this episode, we’ll explore how solo travel can be a powerful way. to reset and recover from the demands of daily life. from making every decision without compromise. to embracing the freedom of exploration. Osa will share her insights on how solo travel can nourish both the mind and soul. whether you’re looking for inspiration or advice on your next solo adventure. This conversation is sure to leave you feeling empowered. So get ready to be inspired. Kelli Wall (02:01) Osa, welcome to Solo Travel Impact. I’m so excited to have you here. You’ve taken multiple solo trips, including a recent one to Block Island, and you’re passionate about how solo travel can be a way to reset and recharge from daily life. I can’t wait to dive into this with you, but to start, can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Osa Hirsch (02:17) Sure, am someone who really didn’t travel as a kid in a traditional sense on an airplane. I traveled, my dad had a boat and we’d go to Nantucket every summer on a sailboat. And then when I sort of got into my twenties, I started traveling a lot and just really became this, how can I fit another trip into three days off from work? And I would just shove them in and next thing I knew I was doing five to six trips a year. I really found that one of the benefits was that I always had something to look forward to and that just sort of helped me deal with corporate life and just life in general. then the solo trips just, I’ll get into this more with you, it’s just really been listening to myself, What I love about solo trips is you don’t need to compromise. Kelli Wall (03:09) Yeah. Osa Hirsch (03:15) There’s no one to ask permission. You just do whatever you want. You want plans? Make plans. You don’t want plans? Don’t make plans. Kelli Wall (03:16) Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (03:23) really kind of a unique experience. Kelli Wall (03:23) Mm-hmm. Yeah, Nantucket on a sailboat sounds magical. Osa Hirsch (03:30) well so we i’m happy to get into that we would go and my dad was very creative and we have this thirty three boats out if you know anything about sailboats it’s a it’s a whole thing anyway we would anchor in between where the seventy foot yachts would pay like ten dollars a foot to be overnight and people would be out on moorings and we would be there with our little boat going in and out my dad would rent bicycles for the week and we would bike all over Nantucket and the beaches there are amazing and it’s just quaint and cute Kelli Wall (04:06) Yeah, that sounds magical. And my knowledge of sailing is Below Deck, Bravo. So I’ll put it through that filter of that’s what I know. mm-hmm. Okay. Osa Hirsch (04:13) Those boats were the below deck ones. I was not on that. Kelli Wall (04:20) I love that point you made. it’s one I’ve heard a couple of times already, as I’ve been recording of people saying, you know, you can just kind of go as you want to go. You don’t have to check with anybody else. I’m, it’s, I’m sensing a reoccurring theme as I do this. And I also, the part about giving yourself something to look forward to. is such an important detail that I think it’s lost and I always say that. live in Ohio, so after the holidays, I’m like, I’ve got to have a trip in February to get myself something to look forward to, but I think you make a point, February or whatever the day might be, it just really gives you something to focus on. Osa Hirsch (04:43) say that. live in Ohio so after the holidays. And I would piggyback that and say there’s benefits on coming home and looking back on that trip and pulling out your photos you know you can really get a lot of out of those trips. it’s not just a while you’re there experience. There’s just so much to draw from. Kelli Wall (05:13) Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I know that’s the perfect segue when you speak of drawing from that, how important that wellness is to you. So can you speak a little bit about how your travel journey and what wellness intertwines together with that? Osa Hirsch (05:28) So as I was saying, as I started to get into more of these trips and I started to notice that they really was, as you said, something to look forward to. I would just start planning. Even when I would go online and look or go to books before different periods in my life, would hit Barnes and Noble the afternoon or something and pull all the destinations out of the bookshelves that I wanted to read. It was just like would start to get into my head how I would feel. then when I would go on the trip, I’d actually make specific plans on my solo trips. I did one to San Diego, San Diego, where I went to this yoga retreat. It was like a yoga studio that I found. And I just went there like multiple times on my trip. And it was just like, you get into a groove you get into like oh i found my class and then it goes as a coffee shop across the way and go get the coffee shop and just this really nice rhythm that you get in that makes you feel really good Kelli Wall (06:25) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (06:26) And it was just so peaceful to be able to just be with yourself and have those moments. So I totally recommend that. Some people feel it’s scary, but I think as you get used to it, you can really understand the benefits of it. You have to be brave in life, go for it. Kelli Wall (06:34) Yeah. Yeah, ⁓ I agree with you, which is why I think we’re having this convo. Also, I love the shout out to Barnes and Noble. I think bookstores are making a comeback. I hope they are. so intrigued because when you think about that, you go to Barnes and Noble or bookstore or Google, everything’s at your fingertips, right? All of these different destinations for whatever reason you might want to go to. So how did you end up blending in kind of this rest and recovery and wellness into your travel versus Osa Hirsch (06:46) totally agree with you, which is why I… so intrigued because when you think Kelli Wall (07:12) you know, maybe a trip that’s more for adventure. How did you end up down that path on some of your trips? Osa Hirsch (07:17) it was really just tapping into myself and, you know, even making spa appointments, you know, like you get a massage, like Kelli Wall (07:24) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (07:25) you said, I’ve been to Hawaii many times and I had a thing where I would always go to this one spa location. It was pricey, it was a splurge. You it’s sort of like you have to invest in yourself, like really makes a big difference. It also helps people know that you’re serious about yourself. So they should be serious about you. There’s actually additional benefits post the or you can blend them actually, you know, you could have one day that is more adventurous. mean, on this, I’m thinking about the San Diego trip. wasn’t. It was totally low key. like walked the beach. I went to this yoga studio. I was totally low key. And I felt like for being alone, sometimes that’s better. Cause like you can really hear yourself. And I think that connection really helps you for crisis moments or whatever, whatever you’re kind of dealing with and, get, or getting happy, you know, like making sure you’re, you’re feeling good. Kelli Wall (08:08) Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Osa Hirsch (08:21) And always journaling has been part of my sort of toolbox. And so I do that on the road, Sometimes I would even write letters to people. Like I’d have so much time on these trips that I would write letters home to fam. And it’s fun. Like people love getting it and then it Kelli Wall (08:37) Yeah. Osa Hirsch (08:39) of just builds more relationships. It’s like sort of a nice thing. Kelli Wall (08:42) Yeah. And that’s really special. Somebody else that I spoke to, another solo traveler, Ella, was talking about that as well. And it’s a piece of advice that she had to find your own thing, right? She loves to swim. So that was her release. If she’s on a group solo trip, that was her moment to get away if she needed to recharge to swim or to go find a vegan health food. So I think it’s really interesting when you talk about yoga or journaling or whatever that is for you. There are so many different outlets. Osa Hirsch (09:03) Uh-huh. Kelli Wall (09:10) And it’s just, it’s very helpful if you can find that and nourish it on these trips. started to touch on this a little bit. Do you have any advice for any solo travelers or how they could have any tips from you on really being able to disconnect and recharge? I know there absolutely is a balance. Some people want these super active trips, which is great. But for people that really want to kind of decompress, any tips that you might give them? Kelli Wall (09:37) And now a quick break. Solo travel doesn’t have to mean traveling alone. G Adventures Solo-ish Trips, you get the best of both worlds, independent exploration with the built-in support of a small group. trips are designed exclusively for solo travelers, creating an instant connection from day one. Whether you’re dreaming of Bali, Egypt, Belize, or beyond, G Adventures takes care of all the details so you can focus on the experience. Thoughtfully planned itineraries make it easy to bond with your group while still leaving room for personal adventure. Visit the link in this episode description to book a trip with G Adventures today. Osa Hirsch (10:17) I would that the real key is sort give yourself permission to be loose and be in the moment and say, you know what, if I see something interesting, I’m going to stop and, you know, kind of go in that direction. And if I see someone interesting to chat with, I’m going to have that conversation. I’m not going to rush and really give yourself, go easy. You know, you have one. Yes. Kelli Wall (10:24) Mm-hmm. Slow down. Osa Hirsch (10:42) Slow down. I I sometimes, would only use like if I’m in a foreign country, sometimes I will only use my phone if I have a wifi I think it’s worth taking. Kelli Wall (10:50) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (10:51) sort of for every adventure one to take more of a chill trip to just sort of like, you know, change a different speed. And it’s also like a discipline, like can I do it, like it’s a challenge to yourself. Can I do a little bit of a chill trip? Like what will happen? Kelli Wall (10:56) Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (11:08) These are like good ways to sort of decompress and just get into your soul. And I think the benefits are, many, but I, I would say go for it. have to ask anyone permission. Just do your thing. So liberating. Kelli Wall (11:18) Yeah. Yeah. And I love, yes. Another word that I’m hearing so often is liberating, but it’s such a good point too. When you talked about allowing yourself to slow down, allowing yourself to decompress and we’re moving so quickly and we’re just doing things so mindlessly. we just get into those routines to allow yourself to just breathe. So you’ve talked about the yoga retreats. You’ve talked about a couple different places that you’ve gone. Are there any other activities or places maybe that you have found to be particularly effective for wellness? Osa Hirsch (11:54) I think you don’t have to actually go to like a specific resort personally. That’s mine. Some people like mountains. You can, you know, go for a hike or something, you know, and you can hike near a beach. I’ve done that too. Kelli Wall (12:02) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (12:08) But yeah, that’s, I would say, those are the kind of things I think are benefiting that like, that you can chill out. Kelli Wall (12:14) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (12:15) I think when you get Kelli Wall (12:15) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (12:16) into a city, sometimes it’s a little harder, I to relax because there’s a pace. If you go to like a smaller town, I went to, it wasn’t a solo trip, but I went to Majorca on a trip where there was like a, you know, there was a cadence. You woke up, you got coffee, you went and did something, got a newspaper, you came back and I did like three or four days and that was very helpful for nourishing the soul and like a very relaxed. Kelli Wall (12:38) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (12:40) experience, I think also long walks are really helpful. I don’t think you actually have to go to a resort. Kelli Wall (12:41) Yeah. Osa Hirsch (12:44) You can really call your own shots, which is nice. Kelli Wall (12:45) Mm-hmm. Those are all such good points because something I wanted to talk to you about was what are maybe some of the small impactful wellness habits solo travelers can integrate into their trips already. Even, you know, I was going to touch on the budget part, but you’ve brought up so many good points already about something so simple as journaling or taking a walk or, again, Whatever that looks like to you, it’s such a unique thing, but to really just enable yourself to have those moments and recharge in a way that works best for you. Osa Hirsch (13:15) Definitely, when I’m traveling by myself, somehow I always get into budget mode. Except like I’ll have a splurge, like a massage as a splurge. I’ll go on mass transportation. I’m like an adventurer. I’m like figuring it out. I’m checking the schedule. I’m meeting random people that are local. Like it’s a great way to meet local people. You have to sort of have that mindset that you’re okay with it. I think those are just great ways to be conscious of your budget those are a lot of my key tips. Kelli Wall (13:44) they’re wonderful. I’m learning so much from everybody that comes on and you know, we’ve got some people listening that are Experienced solo travelers some that maybe are trying to dip their toe into it So curious for someone listening that might be feeling a little bit burnt out But also I hesitate about taking that solo trip any advice you could offer them Osa Hirsch (13:56) for someone listening that might hesitant about taking that solo trip. Any advice? so how do you get brave when you’re used to traveling with other people? No, I totally hear it. You can go somewhere where you know someone or you’ve been before. I actually like sometimes going back to some place that I’ve been to, but because I’ve been with other people, I haven’t been able to… out that random bookstore or go into that cute shop or try that coffee shop. And I will go back and map out different places to get at that. And that can be a nice way to dip, dip your toe in. Another trick I use, which I don’t know is a little counterintuitive perhaps is I might be like on a family trip and I’ll stay behind for three or four days and do a little bit of a solo trip that way. Sometimes Kelli Wall (14:33) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (14:48) I find it lonely just being honest with you. And sometimes I’ve found it very invigorating and, sometimes like in the moment I’m lonely and then I think back and I’m like, that was amazing. So it’s always sort of this kind of like process. Kelli Wall (15:01) you talked too about adding onto your trip. That’s actually something that Lindsay, another one of our guests that you know, she spoke about, loves to bookend one of her trips with extending it. And it’s a good way, especially if you’re doing solo as a group, if you’re like, I’ve been with these people, to your point, now I want to decompress. So really kind of tagging that on at the end. it sounds like, Osa, you’ve got a really good routine of incorporating wellness. Osa Hirsch (15:06) But you know, spoke of. Kelli Wall (15:25) But have you ever faced any challenges while trying to maintain wellness on the road, you know, maybe before you got into your yoga routine and how did you work around those? Osa Hirsch (15:34) I was doing a lot of travel, and I was unhappy. I was eating like crap. I really was off the bandwagon. And over time I sort of was able to start to figure out, I have to stick to a very specific diet, only salad. don’t experiment on all these interesting things. No, you’ve got to stay really Kelli Wall (15:50) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (15:56) crystal clear and just sort of, and go to the gym. you can walk outside also, but it’s sort of like there’s something interesting for like an hour to just like put your headphones in and you know, you’re just chilling out. walking. So yeah, but I do agree. Like I sometimes would kind of definitely business travel took a while to figure out like, you had to have some rules like you can only eat salad and you have to go to the gym in the morning or you kind of lose it. Kelli Wall (16:10) Yeah. Mm-hmm. I know calories don’t count on vacation until like the couple days in and then you feel like absolute crap. Like maybe, maybe they should start to count again. Osa Hirsch (16:32) I think like if you sort of say they don’t count but am I gonna be happy with afterwards and like but there’s different times in your life you could be in a stretch of your life where you’re just like I’m eating whatever and then you could be in a period where I’m buckling down like everyone I think kind of navigates that differently that was learning for me Kelli Wall (16:44) Mm-hmm. my gosh, I’ve learned so much, Osa, and I know you’ve done so much travel. So I’m curious, since you’ve done travel, is there a trip that stands out to you, maybe one that challenged you or surprised you or just an unforgettable experience that you want to share? Osa Hirsch (16:55) you I think it would be really that San Diego trip that I did mention. Like I found that studio that really kind of changed me. I’m still on their mailing list. and I hear about them and I, and I go back to that memory of being there. And I remember, you know, being in a pose and a yoga pose and hearing Kelli Wall (17:16) Mm-hmm. Osa Hirsch (17:25) You could hear voices from the neighbors and there was someone who was screaming to their kids, dinner time, and I can remember that. And that sort of brings me back to that moment of peace and wow, know, like that was great. And also even like looking at photos, I’m gonna include a photo that maybe you’re gonna have on Instagram where from the beach there was like a doll that I found in San Diego and it’s just such a random, little, I took a picture of it, it’s like a girl with an orange skirt. Kelli Wall (17:44) Yeah. Osa Hirsch (17:53) And it’s just such a cute, Beach ornament or something like that. And just those random experiences are just so amazing. think that just adds so much value to your life to have different and different things hit you. they sort of, like I said, help you during crisis moments. Hopefully you don’t have any, but if you do, it to draw on. Kelli Wall (18:09) Yeah. you take you to those moments of calm. Yeah, I love that. Osa Hirsch (18:17) Definitely. Kelli Wall (18:20) Well, thank you so much, Osa. I have absolutely loved chatting with you. You have memories and tips to share with our listeners. So to wrap up the show, We are going to today’s episode with how we end every Solo Travel Unpacked episode asking you these three questions. The advice I’d give to someone considering solo travel is, Osa Hirsch (18:20) Thank you so and tips to share with our listeners. So to wrap up the show, are going to end today’s episode with how we end every solo. The advice I’d give to someone considering solo travel is go for it. You’re going to have so much fun learning about yourself, meeting random people, and kind of finding a new path forward that you hadn’t considered. I just recommend doing it. Go for it. You’re brave. I believe in you. Kelli Wall (19:00) love it, do it. My favorite part about solo travel is. Osa Hirsch (19:07) My favorite part about solo travel is the freedom that you don’t have to consult anyone. Wherever you want to eat, you can go. Whatever you want to, what time you want to wake up, you wake up. You want to eat ice cream at midnight, you eat ice cream at midnight. You want to go to the pool at two in the morning, you do that. It’s just amazing that you can just, you don’t need to compromise with anyone else. And it’s just, that freedom is wonderful. Kelli Wall (19:31) You do you. Something I learned about myself during solo travel is… Osa Hirsch (19:38) Something I learned about myself during solo travel is that it’s okay to be like uncomfortable in your skin sometimes. Like I said, I sometimes I have been lonely and it’s fine. It’s like an emotion, you just deal with it and then go with it. And I learned that I’m okay feeling uncomfortable sometimes and that I’ll be fine and then you just… things randomly change and it’s just kind of like being comfortable with the uncomfortable but knowing that everything’s gonna be fine Kelli Wall (20:09) love that. Osa, this has been such a great conversation. I’ve loved getting to know you and you’ve highlighted the ways that solo travel can be a powerful tool for wellness and self-care, which so many great examples. Your insights on embracing independence and using travel as a way to reset are so inspiring. I love your yoga story. I think that’s really special. So everybody listening, if you’ve been thinking about taking a solo trip to focus on yourself and step away from the demands of life. Osa Hirsch (20:21) insights on embracing independence and using travel as a way to… listening if you’ve been thinking about taking a solo trip to focus on yourself and step away from the demands of life. I hope this episode has… Kelli Wall (20:36) I hope this episode has given you the motivation to go for it. Osa, thank you so much for coming on today. Osa Hirsch (20:40) Thank you so much for coming on today. Kelli, this has been so much fun. I appreciate it. Take care. Kelli Wall (20:46) Awesome. Take care. Kelli Wall (20:48) Every episode brings a new perspective. So be sure to subscribe and join us next time to meet another incredible solo traveler. If you love this episode, let’s keep the conversation going. Follow us on Instagram at Solo Travel Unpacked Pod or on Facebook at Solo Travel Unpacked. And if you have a solo travel story to share, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out to be a guest. Until next time, let’s explore the world one solo travel story at a time. Kelli Wall (21:15) Trips are all about meaningful connections with people, places, and experiences. You’ll see the must-visit highlights, embrace unexpected moments, and have the freedom to make the journey your own, all while traveling alongside like-minded solo adventurers. Ready to go? Check out the link in this episode description to find your soloish adventure today.