The Wild Freedom of Being Twenty in Rome
Film taken by me in Rome 2019
When I was twenty, I joined some Au Pair groups on Facebook in various countries. I posted an about me and had messages from families pouring in. I had a call with a family in Rome and shortly after bought a ticket. 3 months later I am now living in Rome with a family I met on the internet…Great.
Finding My Way in the Eternal City
The family was actually really good to me. They provided me with my own room and bathroom and would take care of groceries, along with a weekly stipend, for only having to watch the kids for a couple hours a day. Before picking up the twins from school I would spend my mornings wandering the city, discovering tiny cafes, piazzas, and little corners of the city that felt completely mine.
I can’t lie though, the little girl I cared for was challenging. Her father told me she was the devil the first day I started (yikes). She’d tell me I was the “worst nanny ever” and fight me over everything. Some days I cried in my little room, deeply frustrated and questioning what I was even doing here. But even then, I was learning about patience, resilience, and how to find joy even when things aren’t perfect.
Nights Out and New Friends
Outside the house, Rome opened her arms. I met other Au pairs—girls like me, restless and eager to discover something new. At night we’d meet up in the Piazza, then find ourselves wandering into the bars and clubs. I’d flirt with boys for free drinks then disappear back to my friends and share with them. Men are too easy. Fridays at G bar were wild, They had unlimited shots on Fridays, we would bring a pen to mark tally’s on our wrist to keep track. We’d then find ourselves in a pizza shop at 2 am, sprawled across the tiny tables, laughing until our voices disappeared into the city. Those friendships became my sanctuary, a reminder that I was still me.
Magical Moments
There were quiet, magical moments too. On a bus to Siena, an older woman sat beside me, told me she was hosting a yoga retreat in Tuscany and we shared a taxi after the bus ride and she invited me in for wine. That motherly warmth, unexpected and gentle, softens an ache you might not even know you have when traveling alone.
I took a few trips with girls I had met in Rome, Its so beautiful how people you can just meet become sisters so quickly. We’d explore new cities together, eating gelato, and toasting limoncello shots along the way. Those trips were so silly and special, and made me feel more connected to this part of the world than I ever expected.
I had some friends invite me on a trip to Malta, I somehow booked the tickets for the wrong dates, so I took a solo trip instead. It was liberating to say the least. I spent the days wandering the streets, discovering beaches and walking the silent city. I barhopped with strangers I met at the hostel and ended up skinny dipping under the Mediterranean stars. Saltwater on my skin, the moon spilling light over the sea, I was wildly, beautifully free.
Wildly Free Self
Those four months were messy, fun, challenging, and alive. I sometimes cried, laughed a lot, flirted maybe a bit too much (i’m a Libra, what can I say) almost missed trains, and found people who became sisters to me.
Rome, and the little journeys beyond, It wasn’t perfect. and maybe that’s the point. Each journey takes me further inside myself, A glimpse of the untamed, fearless version, I’m just beginning to know.
The Ultimate Packing Guide for Solo Women Travelers
Traveling alone as a woman isn’t just a vacation—it’s an act of empowerment. Whether it’s your first solo trip or your tenth, traveling as a woman comes with unique challenges and joys. Packing the right essentials can make all the difference between feeling vulnerable and feeling unstoppable on your journey abroad.
This feminist travel packing guide highlights the best gear, safety tools, and empowering books for women traveling alone. I have compiled this list of things I personally like to travel with, to support independence, confidence, and conscious exploration.
Solo Female Travel Safety Gear
Safety is usually the biggest concern for traveling alone as a woman, Here are some of my favorite things to bring along with me to help ease my mind and enjoy my trip.
Anti-theft purse/bags
I really like the travelon purses on Amazon, the zippers clip so you don’t have to worry about someone breaking into your bag (yes this has happened to me right under my legs) I then switched to one of these bags and it has been a game changer for my mental load.
RFID Blocking Wallet
to keep your cards safe, I like this one because it has a clip so it makes it easy to find in your bag.
Personal Safety Alarm Keychain
I thankfully have never had to use this but I always keep it on me just in case. you never know if you’re going to end up in a situation where you need to draw attention to yourself.
Portable Door Lock/Door Stop
These are great for staying in hostels, airbnb’s, and hotels. To give you some extra security and help you sleep peacefully.
Solo Travel Tech Essentials
These small devices take up little room and help to keep you connected, organized, and stress-free.
Portable Charger/Power Bank
never let your phone die when you need to use maps or translation apps
(bonus tip: Always download the map of your area you are traveling to use offline)
Universal Travel Adapter
If you are traveling abroad, this is an absolute necessity. Find a universal one that is compatible everywhere, You can use throughout all your travels.
Airtags/GPS trackers
slip these into your luggage, purse, and wallet to track belongings anywhere.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
These are essential for me for travel days, but women PLEASE be aware of your surroundings when wearing headphones. I usually keep one off the ear if i’m walking in public spaces to have extra awareness.
Eco-Friendly Travel Gear for Women
Many solo female travelers also identify with eco-feminism—caring for the planet while caring for themselves. These swaps are sustainable, practical, and cost-effective.
Menstrual Cup/Period Undies
I have been using a menstrual cup for about 6+ years now. These have truly changed my life. It saves so much money on tampons, They are so easy to clean and reuse and honestly have reduced my cramping so much. Majority of tampons are made with harmful ingredients that should not be absorbed by your cooch (and if you’re from the US like me, a lot of other countries don’t make applicators with their tampons which could be a culture shock and learning curve for some.)
I ADORE period undies for the days where you don’t feel like sticking anything up there and wanna just let it flow (as our bodies are intended to do). The Period Company makes their undies with non toxic ingredients, and it doesn’t feel like your wearing a diaper like you do (at least I do ) with pads.
Solid Toiletries
When traveling, I like to use solid shampoo, conditioner, and soap. It’s compact, you don’t have to worry about liquids spilling in your bag, TSA-Approved, and its plastic free!
I like to use a toothpaste powder instead of travel size toothpaste tubes which tend to run out quickly. Toothpaste powder is an eco-friendly alternative that will last a lot longer compared to paste.
Reusable Filter Waterbottle
Stay hydrated without buying endless plastic bottles.
Versatile Clothing for Women on the Road
Dresses/Skirts
When i’m traveling, I personally love something simple that I can just throw on and head out, I don’t like to spend too much time getting ready when i’m traveling, I try to spend as much time out exploring while I can. I love these dresses and skirts with built in shorts for comfort. I like that you can dress it up or dress it down, you can wear them out adventuring or a night out.
A Pashmina/Scarf
this is one thing I cannot travel without. It is so versatile. If you are in a country where you need to cover up to enter somewhere, pull out the scarf, you can roll it up and use it as a pillow, or cover your head on the plane. It’s lightweight and packs small.
Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a game changer for organization. Especially if you are traveling out of a backpack, It saves so much time and energy to know where everything is and not have to pull out your entire bag to look for one thing.
Quick Drying Towels
Quick Drying Towels are an essential if you are moving around a lot, or staying in hostels, or just simply want something to sit on at the beach or park. They are incredibly compact so it doesn’t take up much space in your bag
Best Books for Women Traveling Alone
Empowerment doesn’t stop at your backpack, Bring inspiration with you
The Alchemist - One of my all time favorite books ever. I bring this on every trip I go on as a reminder to trust myself in my journey. All the answers are within.
Women Who Run With The Wolves - A compilation of stories of the Wild Woman Archetype. Beautiful reminders to be unapologetically yourself.
Eat, Pray, Love - A beautiful reminder to embrace the journey of self discovery. It’s okay to change your mind and take time to discover yourself. You never know what could happen if you never put yourself out there.
Bonus Tip: Pack these books on a Kindle to save space and weight
Packing for a solo trip is more than just logistics—it’s about equipping yourself with tools that build confidence and freedom. After 8+ years of travel I have found that these are items that help me to feel safe, supported, and empowered to explore the world on my own terms. My goal is to help you feel the same.
So the next time you’re preparing for a trip, remember: your suitcase is not just luggage—it’s your toolbox for independence.
Here you can find all my favorite travel essentials on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/shop/lizardkissez/list/242M5NNYLA4D4?ref_=aipsflist
Enjoy your journey
peace & love
How affirmations have helped me trust my intuition
I spent years talking so poorly to myself. I was my own worst critic. I would say things to myself I could never imagine saying to another human, so why me? Why do I feel so comfortable talking so harshly to myself?
Something had to change. I couldn’t keep living this way. The negative thought patterns suck you down into a hole so fast, it can be quite hard to climb back up if you don’t change your frame of thinking. I started counteracting every negative thought with a good one. I tend to always have a song stuck in my head, so I starting listening to songs filled with uplifting lyrics and affirmations.
I started listening to affirmation podcasts in the morning while I get ready, and repeat the affirmations in the mirror. If you aren’t used to talking out loud to yourself it might feel kind of funny at first but the more you do it you will see the confidence rising in yourself. (one of my favs is Madison Mindset the Podcast).
I made myself Affirmation cards to lay around my house or tape on the mirror for gentle reminders throughout the day. (You can find these Affirmation Cards in my shop, download and print to put around your home). https://www.rootedinsacredflow.com/shop/p/10-card-affirmation-deck-empowerment-intuition-printable-pdf
Daily affirmations have truly changed my life, They have helped me to be more in tune with the rhythms of my body and be more aware of the way my brain works, and have helped me learn how to trust my intuition with the feelings and thoughts that enter my body when I am in certain circumstances. Try repeating affirmations in the mirror to yourself for a month and see what changes in your life, you might be surprised.
peace & love