A heartbroken woman has shared why she decided to fly 5,000 miles from Scotland to Asia to start a five-month solo trip after getting dumped by her ex.
Katarzyna Matczak was stunned when her former partner ended their relationship.
Left homeless and relying on couch-surfing on family and friends’ sofas, she decided to use her savings to take a huge risk.
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The 32-year-old bought a flight to embark on a journey as a form of her very own ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ experience.
Although some parts of her trip have been incredible, there have been challenges as a solo traveller too – from being harassed to dealing with her “unfinished” business back home.
“I went to India because my long-term partner broke up with me,” Katarzyna, who has just returned back to Glasgow after her big trip, told Luxury Travel Daily.
“At first I struggled to find myself there – but I realised it has nothing to do with the place, it’s all within myself.
“Once I overcame my own demons, my experience was amazing.
“When I was leaving Scotland, I left a little bit of a ‘mess’ there that I have to sort out [now].
“I love Scotland with all of my heart, but people really need to relax and worry less.
“We are meant to touch grass and hug trees, not climb corporate ladders and deep-fry everything we eat.”
In a video, Katarzyna reveals how her heartbreak-healing trip was “the best decision I have ever made”.
Wording across the clip describes how she was “heartbroken, homeless, couch-surfing at friends and family” before uprooting her life.
The micro influencer, who has just under 19,000 followers, describes the experience as her “self-preservation instinct” kicking in.
She said: “After nearly five months, I am coming home with fresh energy, inner power, a head full of ideas and confidence to achieve whatever I feel aligned with.”
During her travels, Katarzyna started in Goa, where she spent six weeks before heading to the “yoga capital of India” – Rishikesh – and the holy city of Varanasi.
She went on to visit Thailand and Nepal, where she spent a few weeks in Kathmandu and a bit of time on a farm in Pokhara.
One of her most memorable experiences included going on a 50-hour bus journey to the Himalayas.
On the negative side, Katarzyna has been forced to deal with some “unsafe” situations, such as the time a man who wanted to take her photo followed her through a forest.
But she remains positive about solo travelling as a woman.
She said, “In my opinion, if you’re willing to accept the discomfort, you will find the best spiritual teachings and meet the most interesting souls, and this will turn into the best experience you’ve ever had.”
Katarzyna, who is currently unemployed, plans to start some side hustles and jet back off to Asia as soon as she can.
She says her friends and family are very supportive of her decision.
The micro influencer said: “It feels bizarre [to be back in the UK].
“One day I am roaming around mountains and villages in the Himalayas, the next day I am in a taxi going to Delhi Airport.
“A few weeks ago, when I thought about going back, my body was filled with anxiety and fear.
“The plan is to last here [in Glasgow] for a few months, clean up my unfinished things, focus on growing side hustles and bolt off asap.
“I have to sell and donate all my belongings and close all ties to become truly free of attachment.
“Nothing and nobody has the power to stop me.”
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