I know I haven’t shared much about my India trip yet. That’s mostly intentional; I’ll probably unpack it properly after I’m back (no pun intended). That way I can share pictures, and reflections about what I loved and what I’d do differently.

What I will say is that a LOT of planning has gone into it. I had mapped out an itinerary that gave me time to see the places I wanted, but also left space for those reflections, and maybe even the occasional sleep-in.

It feels a bit indulgent to say that I made time for not doing anything especially when I’m lucky enough to be heading overseas at all. But I built that space in on purpose.

For me, the point isn’t just racing around taking photos and ticking things off a checklist. Part of the goal is to be rested enough to actually enjoy where I am, to soak it in properly rather than worrying about where I need to be next.

Of course, plans shift! What I though was all locked in, flights booked, accommodation reserved, has had to be tweaked a little.

Now there might be an opportunity for me to see a cricket match while I’m there. Not just any match, but the chance to watch India play in India alongside an Indian crowd. That’s not something I can pass up, even if it’s still a “maybe.”

Part of the slower, more balanced trip I built is starting to look a little bit more like a patchwork of packed days and travel reshuffles. I’ve still managed to hold onto some of the downtime in my schedule, so I haven’t lost all the space I wanted for rest and reflection. 

And this is where I’m grateful to past me. Because those buffer days I built in? They’re the reason I can even try to make this happen without missing anything else I really wanted to see. They’ve turned out to be less about indulgence and more about flexibility giving future me the chance to experience something that I’m sure I’ll never forget.

And honestly, that’s the beauty of solo travel; I don’t have to check in with anyone else to see if it’s okay. I can mix things up on the fly and take advantage of the moments and opportunities that really appeal to me. 

Have you ever had to throw your itinerary out the window for something unmissable? Did it end up being the highlight, or a headache?

Photo by Aksh yadav on Unsplash