The Escape Journals

Traveling After A Break-Up

Heartbreak, distance, and the trips that helped people find themselves again.

Featured Stories

Never Wait for Someone Else

Lydia

A part of me knew I needed that trip after my breakup. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have bought my ticket less than a month after ending a seven-year relationship. What’s funny is that when my ex broke up with me, I told him, “Wait a few months, and you’ll see me traveling and doing all the things I didn’t because I was waiting for you. Then you’ll regret what you’re doing.” And I did.

I had always wanted to travel—especially to Hawaii—but I never went because I wanted to experience it with him. That breakup made me realize you should never wait for someone else to do something you really want to do. Taking that trip felt like something I needed to do to find freedom and peace of mind. I won’t lie, though—at first, I wasn’t sure if I was doing it for myself or just to prove to him (and everyone else) that I could.

Now that it’s over, I can say I was living my best life and putting my best self out there. I got to rediscover parts of myself and my personality that I had toned down over time. I met people who helped me realize those sides of me weren’t wrong; I just hadn’t been around the right person to nurture and appreciate them. I now know what I truly need to work on.

Part of what made the experience so liberating was meeting so many amazing people. The best decision I made while planning this trip was to stay in hostels. You can have your alone time when you need it, but you’re also surrounded by incredible people if that’s what you’re craving. My advice? Seek out good energy and go for it.

The energy in Kauai and Oahu, for example, couldn’t have been more different, so I had to adapt. I would’ve been miserable if I’d tried to hold on to Kauai’s laid-back vibe while in Oahu. The key is to let go of what you think you need and embrace the good energy around you, wherever you are. That’s what will truly bring out the best in you.

Caye Caulker and a Loyal Friend

Anthony

I went through a vicious break-up with an Italian. We dated for almost a year, and when I ended things, he wanted to make sure I paid a heavy price for it. Despite his constant message barrages and guilt-trip attempts to win me back, about a week and a half later, I traveled to Caye Caulker, Belize, with one of my best friends. Caye Caulker is a small island, a 45-minute ferry ride away from Belize City. With no cars, young and chill tourists, friendly locals, and a pounding Caribbean sun, it was the perfect place to unwind and regroup. Swimming and kayaking through the shallow turquoise waters allowed me to take a step back from it all. Of course, I still had many sad moments and tears, but with such a loyal friend and a perfect paradise atmosphere, it was, overall, a wonderful trip.

The Precious Ache of Being Alone

Min

Breakups—or traveling during difficult times—are, for me, the ultimate therapy. It’s my personal “fuck you” to my ex, Khloé Kardashian revenge-face moment, dye-my-hair-and-change-my-clothes way of coping with heartbreak (or just tough times in general). And I prefer to do it alone—probably because it’s the last thing I feel like doing, and that’s exactly why it’s so important.

I see it as my way to run away and reset. In today’s hyper-connected world, we’ve forgotten that being alone and even feeling loneliness can be profoundly positive experiences. As I’ve entered my 30s and grown older, the word alone has somehow taken on a more negative connotation, and I’m not sure when or why that shift happened.

A friend once told me that feeling lonely is one of the most precious emotions we can experience as humans. She said to soak in that feeling because it’s rare to encounter such raw bitterness. That advice has stuck with me, and I’ve really taken it to heart.

Take the Trip. Live It. No Regrets.

Anonymous

After my breakup, all I wanted was to chase my dreams, and that’s exactly what my solo trip to Australia became. It gave me the freedom to go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I just felt this overwhelming need to get as far away from my home country as possible. Traveling felt like the escape I desperately needed—a way to avoid the constant reminders of my ex in familiar places. I craved a massive change of scenery, and that’s exactly what I got.

Being newly single and traveling was incredibly liberating, but it was also extremely lonely at times. During the day, it was all fun and games—exploring new places, meeting people, and making friends. But the nights? Those were tough. Crawling into bed alone with nothing but my thoughts was hard, and hearing a song that unexpectedly brought all the feelings rushing back hit me like a ton of bricks.

Still, landing in a new country felt like a fresh start. I loved that no one knew what I was running from. That anonymity was strangely freeing, like shedding a part of myself that didn’t need to follow me.

If you’re debating traveling after a breakup, I say FUCKING GO. What are you waiting for? Get out there and chase your wildest dreams. The pros of traveling after a breakup are endless. As for the cons? Honestly, I can’t think of many, except maybe a bit of reckless behavior. I had zero shits to give—drinking too much, hooking up with strangers like it was a sport, and smoking way too many cigarettes (and I’m not even a smoker).

Do I regret it? Not a single thing—except for that one cute girl I should’ve kissed but was too shy. Moral of the story: take the trip. Live it. No regrets.

Before You Know It, You’ve Moved On

Sian

I went through a pretty tough breakup in university and decided to take myself away for six weeks. I was sad, but I needed to get away and focus on myself. For the most part, it was liberating. When you’re traveling to a new place, you don’t often have the time for constant reflection. You stay busy meeting new people, exploring new places, trying different foods, and before you know it, you realize you haven’t thought about your ex for a week, a month, or longer.

That said, I think it’s important to be in the right frame of mind before embarking on such a trip. I had been single for two months before I left. I’d advise caution about traveling immediately after a breakup because, during that time, you’re still very vulnerable. You need to be strong enough to make sensible decisions and take care of yourself.

Wait until you’re out of the “duvet days,” starting to get back on your feet, and then think, screw it!—go experience something incredible.

A Blank Slate

Justin

After my breakup, traveling became an incredible opportunity for soul-searching and figuring out what I wanted to do next. Of course, it came with its difficulties, but at the same time, it was liberating and gave me a renewed sense of freedom to do what I wanted—for myself.

I think the most important thing is to be self-aware. Read books. Ask questions. Be vulnerable. Write. Traveling while doing all of these things provides a blank slate to start fresh and rediscover yourself.

Heartbreak Became Liberation

Carola

Traveling after a breakup is a classic move. In my case, the breakup became the liberation I needed to finally chase my dream of a longer solo trip, rather than the reason I decided to travel in the first place. For me, it felt incredibly freeing. That said, I was still healing when I left, but taking off helped immensely. Stepping away from familiar surroundings and immersing myself in the world opened my eyes to all the opportunities out there. It also taught me a lot about myself and the relationship that had ended. I’m so grateful for those lessons and realizations.

I’m absolutely in favor of traveling after a breakup—it offers a fresh perspective, as travel always does, not just in the aftermath of heartbreak.

If someone hasn’t always dreamed of traveling but starts feeling the urge after a breakup and doesn’t know where to begin, there are so many ways to approach it. For example, you can explore different networks or research destinations based on what you’d like to experience. Mountains? Beaches? Cities? Warm weather? Cooler climates? A peaceful yoga retreat? Or maybe a lively party scene?

If you’re unsure of what you want, start by writing down what you don’t want. That process can help you gain clarity about what you might enjoy or need—especially if your heart and gut aren’t giving you clear answers right now.

Pause, Breathe, Then Go

Josh

Now for the flip side: traveling after a breakup. It can be rough, depending on the circumstances, but for me, it was liberating. There was literally no one to answer to, no one to check in with. My plans were entirely my own.

While creating amazing memories and experiencing breathtaking views is incredible, I understand the desire to share those moments with someone. However, don’t let that take away from how those experiences make you feel, whether you’re enjoying them alone or with someone else. They will change you, whether you realize it or not.

To anyone considering traveling after a tough breakup, my advice is to pause. Take a deep breath. Don’t rush into it. The urge to escape is real—I completely understand that—but it’s not a good enough reason to leave less prepared than you should be. Take the time to plan and be intentional about your journey.

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A Girls’ Trip to Alaska

Chelsea

The first trip I took after my four-and-a-half-year relationship ended was a much-needed girls’ trip—with my friends Whit and Christina. We went to Alaska and had such an amazing, carefree time.

That said, you definitely shouldn’t go on a trip when you’re feeling too vulnerable, especially if you’re alone. In that state, you might make decisions you wouldn’t normally make, and they could be dangerous or reckless. So, you’ve got to be smart about it.

If you have the opportunity, going on a trip with friends is probably the best option in this kind of situation. I found that being in new surroundings and experiencing new things really helps. It allows you to create positive, happy memories that can make you feel better.

A Year Later, Free

Anonymous

It took almost a year after my breakup, but I finally started my biggest journey to Asia and Australia. By then, I had my thoughts under control and felt secure in knowing that the breakup was the best decision for both of us at that moment. While traveling, I felt free and didn’t have any close ties to a girl back home in Sweden, which I was happy with.

Just Book It and Go

Mahta

DO IT! From my experience, traveling after a breakup was exactly what I needed. Whether it was with family or friends, I personally needed time away from everything to regroup, recharge, and feel like myself again.

My advice? Plan a trip with your closest friend or two, and make it spontaneous. Don’t get caught up in overplanning—just book it and go! Leave the details, like where to eat or what activities to do, to figure out along the way. It gives you something to focus on while you’re there, and the spontaneity adds to the fun.

That said, you might find moments on the trip where you’re tempted to text or reach out to your ex. My suggestion? Stay busy. Keep yourself occupied with the people you’re with and the new experiences you’re having.

The pros of traveling after a breakup? You can shut everything else out, focus on the trip, reconnect with your friends, and, most importantly, reconnect with yourself. The cons? Well, those really depend on the person and the kind of relationship you had with your ex.

Travel to Grow

Vuk

I never connected my relationships with my travels, so this is a difficult one to answer. I don’t suggest trying to find yourself through traveling. I strongly believe traveling should be a tool for growth. If you want to find yourself, that’s a different mission altogether, at least from my perspective.

Life in a Different Light

Alanna

Sometimes, getting away after a breakup is exactly what you need. Every place you visit and every person you meet shifts your perspective in one way or another. Traveling somewhere new propels you forward and makes you think differently. For this reason, I would encourage anyone who wants to travel after a breakup to do so. I believe it will give you the insights and clarity you need. It may not fix all your problems, but it will help you see life in a different light.

Enjoying Things Without Compromise

Maguie

I have never been in this situation myself, though I can imagine it to be liberating. After a break-up, I personally always needed to strengthen myself as an individual. You spend so much time making compromises with your partner, and that’s great up to a certain point! But after a break-up, I always needed to enjoy things without those compromises—not having to think about anyone else’s opinion. I needed to learn how to enjoy myself again and, through that, strengthen myself. That’s why I can absolutely imagine going traveling solo after a break-up, just getting yourself out of the situation that can sometimes be painful. You will meet many people along the way and have plenty of distractions.

One downside I can imagine, though, is that you might miss out on your support system through close friends who genuinely know you. And later, when you decide to come back, past emotions you pushed away could resurface. Just be aware of that. :-)

How Much Was Holding You Back

Lauren

I had never actually been in an official relationship before I started traveling, but I had dealt with my fair share of heartbreak before I left, so I know how it feels to go looking for freedom and liberation in your travels. I’ve met plenty of girls along my journey who were using travel as a sort of post-breakup therapy. It definitely helps, in every way. You learn to function on your own, meet new people, and establish an identity for yourself independent of relationships. It’s honestly one of the most therapeutic things you can do. New places, new faces, new experiences, and a hell of a lot of growth. So, my advice to anyone going through a breakup and looking to get away: do it. Pick somewhere that calls to you—somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. Book a hostel, talk to people, go out, and enjoy yourself. It’s not going to be easy, and it’s not a magic pill for healing. You might feel distracted at first, but the feelings will still creep back. You just have to keep going and use the experience to see how much more is out there—how much you were holding yourself back before you left.

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