Travel.Relationship.Therapy.Repeat

Tag: solotravel

  • The Infamous 50/50 

    It’s no shocker because finances are a common issue in relationships or “marriages” and, it was one of our biggest downfalls. Not because we didn’t make decent money or couldn’t pay our bills but because I was paying 50/ 50 for all things, mortgages that didn’t have my name on them, bills, vacations, and even groceries. At the time, I didn’t know this would drain me and no longer make me respect him but I couldn’t change it.

    Three years into our relationship we finally decided because he made three times as much as me, it was fair to adjust the bills. I remained paying a large portion of all bills just not exactly 50/50 but if he spent more on his mortgage I would pay more on other bills. The bills were never comfortable for me and I would spend the next 6 and a half years fighting to keep up with bills, investments, and vacations, while paying for two degrees and a certification, on top of medical bills. I did it, and then some but it created a chip on my shoulder because I was also cooking three meals a day, planning dates, and essentially taking care of myself, while taking care of him.

    It wasn’t until 4- 6 months before our relationship ended that I was blessed with two random lump sums of money from solo investments I made that would pay off my remaining debt and help me set myself up. Then, while I was on my trip, he accidentally totaled my car (he was fine), giving me another large payout because my car was in great condition and almost paid off. These were all signs that in the moment, I was very fortunate to see they were blessings intended to help me leave my relationship.

    Being spiritually aware, and staying consistent in prayer with God, was helping me stay strong,  but also SEE the path he was creating for me to leave that situation. 

    Because of my relationship with Jesus and God’s word, this situation was the toughest but easiest choice and process, I have had the pleasure of experiencing, and it makes me so excited to see where He is leading me. 

  • Eating Alone….

    Eating alone is interesting because it is completely normal to eat alone at home but for some reason the second you go outside, it’s frowned upon if you are by yourself, eating. Even when I was in that relationship we made habits of doing things alone, for example, I went to see movies he didn’t want to see ( I don’t like scary & he didn’t do all musicals)  or I would grab lunch he didn’t have a taste for but it’s better eaten there, like tacos and Sushi! Gotta admit tacos are a little better right there at the restaurant.

    I got familiar with going out alone, starting with the movies! My favorite place! I get to go, by myself, buy everything ( without complaint, sit back and relax. This was a good start for me, my next step was to take my notebook or homework to a restaurant during lunchtime and sit and eat as I worked on my homework. Once I became comfortable with that, I started going out to eat with nothing to do and turning my phone off. 

    I once saw this video and she said “If you can eat alone, you can go out alone, if you can go out alone, you can fly alone and if you can fly alone, you can travel alone.” Again, I didn’t start doing these things with the intention to travel or be alone, they are things I did that showed me I had the tools to travel and be alone, when the time came. 

  • Sorrento, Italy

    One of my first stops, Sorrento Italy….

    Sorrento can be reached via local train from Napoli Central Train Station ( 5 euros) which is how I got there because I had no idea there was a bus that went straight there. After Surprice Rental Car wanted 1000 euros as a deposit in cash because I didn’t have a EU license, I left it… anyway….

    Sorrento is a great hub for your stay because it has connections to other parts of southern Italy. For example, the local train back to Naples central train station is connected to the bullet trains to go up north, and the Sorrento train station has connections to buses that drive the other beautiful parts of the coast, Amalfi, Positano, and the hidden gem Ravello. You can also access the ferry to get to Capri and Sicily from the Marina in Sorrento.

    The bus cost is no more than 10 euros a day depending on where you are going anywhere on the coast. The ride is 45 min – 1. 5 hour from Sorrento to Amalfi and you may need 4 hours, depending on what you want to do. Same for Positano and Ravello https://sitasudtrasporti.it/campania/

    ( The bus from Napoli airport to Sorrento Train Station 14-20 euros depending on the season https://www.curreriviaggi.it)

    Taxi’s are expensive: Sorrento to Positano or Amalfi can range to 120 -200 euros, which Is the same cost to the Airport. For airbnbs that look like up in the hills ( Massa Lubrense) taxi’s can be 40 -70 euros to and from Sorrento train station.

    Sorrento is a good central location but also has a beauty and charm of its own, beaches, restaurants, and plenty of shopping. I recommend either using Sorrento as a hub or spending 2 days there to see all it has to offer and decide on what souvenirs to grab as Sorrento has the BEST and CHEAPEST on the coast.

    Restaurants I like:

    Bar Monnalisa –Via Padre Reginaldo Giuliani 18 80067 Sorrento NA Italy O’ Schizzaiello – Via San Cesareo 79 80067 Sorrento NA Italy
    Zi’Ntonio-Via Luigi de Maio 11 80067 Sorrento NA Italy
    Fauno Bar S.r.l – Also has Night club – Sorrento Piazza
    Pizzeria Aurora – Sorrento Piazza
    Shub Wine bar -Via Santa Maria della Pieta 3-5 80067 Sorrento NA Italy

    Other things to do and See in Sorrento:

    Lemoncello Factory

    Boat Tours of the Coast

    Night Clubs

    Rent a Scooter

    Wine Tasting

    Cooking Classes ( closer to Napoli)

    I Love Get Your Guide! ( take it or leave it ) haha