With the “new year, new you” slogan blaring from every television screen and social media platform, the pressure around self improvement can exacerbate symptoms of what I like to call the NYE blues. In 2017 I wasn’t about to fall victim to this mumbo jumbo. I had the typical options on the table, but as a single 33 year old, hanging out with married couples or my parents just wasn’t going to cut it this year. I yearned for something a bit more exciting and what was really stopping me from getting just that?

I expressed this need to my father and within seconds he found a deal on the computer for a stay in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It didn’t take me long to be spellbound by the idea of sunshine, fruity drinks, and a book on the beach. I had become accustomed to traveling alone so trading in my plush winter jacket for a bikini on a whim was the obvious choice. With a bit of luck, my nerves for flying were quickly washed away by the taste of sweet wine.

On the plane I had planned on coming up with some form of itinerary. How would I get around? Where would I spend New Year’s Eve? I never claimed to be much of a planner, although I did plan my outfit for New Year’s Eve of course. Who could pass up a shimmery gold jumpsuit fresh off the rack at Target? As the plane landed, I traded off my wine stained napkin for the nearest exit.

The room of the hotel was a bit musty kind of like the inside of a tennis shoe worn a few too many times. The Uber app was now my lifeline to the beach. The most wonderful thing about traveling alone is the freedom to go where you please whenever you want. I spent my days running on the beach, reading, eating ice cream and exploring the few small shops the area had to offer. NYE was just around the corner.

I had started this trip thinking that I HAD to meet someone to have fun. Meeting someone meant that I wouldn’t be alone and that there would be the potential for plans that I wouldn’t have to come up with myself. To my luck, I did end up meeting a man who was a lawyer. His name was Nate. He was friendly and without hesitation showed me around the area. He took me to some cool bars and even drove me around on his golf cart from place to place. We ate conch fritters ( I was feeling adventurous because seafood is not my thing), danced to some bands, and called it a night. As I walked home, I realized that although he mentioned a NYE spot I could join him at, I had came here to do NYE on my own terms.

Is being alone on New Year’s Eve against the rules?

I had decided that the only way to shine my way into 2018 (besides the obnoxious gold jumpsuit) was alone among a sea of strangers. I ubbered my way to the area called Lauderdale By the Sea where the New Year’s Eve festivities were being set up. I had a few drinks. I hugged a palm tree on the beach. I watched fireworks.

The greatest part of solo travel is the personal growth. Each time you go away, you learn to become a little more confident, independent, and in tune with your emotions and desires. With my gold jumpsuit surrounded by a crowd of strangers, I had traveled just far enough to meet myself.