# I've Traveled to 38 Countries Solo: 5 Mistakes I've Learned From Valuable lessons from solo travel experiences. - **Source:** [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-20 - **Topic:** [Career Growth](https://brifing.si/c/growth) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c9bf6a89-3211-4baf-8c44-b279c410baa0 ## Waiting for Perfect Conditions Annmarie Gajdos realized she was waiting for perfect conditions to travel. She postponed her life with excuses like taking time off work or traveling with friends. However, she learned that perfect conditions are unrealistic and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. ## Trying to Manufacture Magic Instead of Living in the Moment She learned the importance of living in the moment rather than trying to recreate magic. Every trip is different, and forcing experiences often leads to disappointment. ## Not Implementing Safety Protocols Initially, she neglected safety measures. After a few scary experiences, she became more aware of her surroundings and downloaded Google Maps and Google Translate for emergencies. ## Planning Every Minute On her first trip to Paris, she planned every minute and didn't truly experience the city. Now, she travels with a flexible schedule and lets local friends guide her adventures. ## Traveling for Content She realized that making content creation the main goal was a mistake. Instead of focusing on Instagram-worthy photos, she prioritizes enjoying the moment and new experiences. ## Lessons Learned from Travel Annmarie Gajdos has become a more confident traveler by learning from her mistakes. Flexibility, safety, and living in the moment are key takeaways from her solo travels. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.businessinsider.com/travel-mistakes-lessons-learned-frequent-solo-traveler-2026-7 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._