“Will anyone be joining you Miss?” I was so happy she said “Miss” that I was distracted for a moment. I have gotten Ma’am a lot these days looking like the tired mom I am, but wow today I am Miss Noya.
“No, it’s just me thank you.” As I said it, the sheer joy almost jumped out of my smile and filled the room. Yes, It is just me, on a 10-day journey through the Caribbean on the Viking Octantis filming for The Jet Set. JUST ME.
After almost 2 years of zoom school, zoom meetings, same routine, same location, canceled events, canceled celebrations, the collective feeling among my friends, especially my mom friends is “I want to break free” just like the Queen song.
Mom’s around the world have had a very interesting time through this pandemic. Our roles changed, A LOT. I was used to being on a plane heading to a location, filming, doing Dress For Success, theater, being a wife, mommin’ hard but being out in the world. Then the world melted and after a few months I lost myself for a hot minute.
As the world is (well at least today) opening up a bit, and the opportunity to work on this trip came up, my first inclination was: that’s a long time to be away, then: can I do a big trip like this by myself I will not know anyone, then I thought: how will I get footage for our show I am not a camerawoman, then I told myself – stop – hold on, stop. Wait a minute. YES. Yes I absolutely can. I can make friends, I love being alone, I love an adventure, I will learn how to use a camera, and I will work hard and enjoy every single second of this trip. I WILL REINTRODUCE MYSELF TO MYSELF.
How many of us out there need to do that? and you know what might be the answer? Solo traveling. A me trip.
After being onboard for 48 hours I felt energized. I felt interested, and curious. I felt grateful. I sat down to write this and thought my daughter might read this one day and hoped she would be proud of me.
While on the sailing, we were on an excursion to hike this very beautiful, but extremely strenuous hike. At the halfway point I felt really awful, nauseous, out of my element, and really struggling to climb this mountain. I thought I was in pretty good shape but I was dying.
At the halfway point a lot of the group had reached their limit, turned around and began to go down the mountain. I was seriously considering turning back.
I sat on a rock for a while looking out at the absolutely breathtaking view and thought, wait a second. You can take your time. You don’t have to be the usual Nikki Noya and be in first place up the mountain. Take your time, take breaks, listen to your breath, listen to your body, and slow down.
It’s kind of like getting back into traveling, especially solo travel. Take your time, make a plan, listen to your gut, and get up that mountain. I did make it to the top, and it was the best feeling.