Savanna Crowell: Travelling Alone Made Me Stronger Than Ever (Founder - Solo with Sav, 91K Followers, New York City)

Savanna Crowell Interview

"Every single solo traveler I know or have met was scared to do it at first; heck, I still get nervous before every solo trip."

Q. What was the very first solo trip where you realized fear could actually be fuel?

The first solo trip I took was to Guatemala and it came out of that exact idea. People always think solo travelers are “fearless” or “brave”, but I took my first solo trip scared. I had just graduated from college and was overwhelmed by this newfound freedom that I had so I wanted to travel somewhere new. 

I found a cheap flight from the US to Guatemala and did some research, and I really wanted to go. I started asking my friends and family if they would go with me, but everyone said no, either they “couldn’t take time off work”, or “didn’t have the money to travel right now”, or simply “wasn’t interested in visiting Guatemala”. 

And that’s when I realized that if I wanted to go, it would have to be alone, and the thought of that terrified me. I took weeks to think it over and came to the conclusion that the thought of not going and not having this once-in-a-lifetime experience was scarier than the thought of going alone. So I let the fear fuel me, and I booked the flight!

Q. What’s the most surprising lesson you’ve learned about yourself while being completely alone in a new place?

Traveling alone has taught me that I’m capable of way more than I ever thought. When you travel with friends, a partner, or family, the planning and problem-solving is shared, or sometimes you don’t even have to plan at all. 

When you’re on your own, you’re figuring out the transportation, you’re trying to communicate with a language barrier, you’re carrying your 50 lb bags up staircases and down cobblestone streets, and you’re the one having to think on your feet in situations where you feel uncomfortable. You rely solely on yourself and trust your gut like never before. 

Along the way, you realize: you can navigate public transit in a foreign language, can meet new friends, can lift your own bags, can dine alone. You can do it all. That realization has completely changed me and has given me confidence in everyday life in ways I never expected.

Q. What’s a small ritual or habit that helps you feel grounded no matter where you land?

No matter where I land, I always take a little solo walk. No headphones, no creating content, no rush, just me getting a feel for the area, the streets, the sounds, and the energy of the place. 

It grounds me instantly and reminds me why I love traveling, especially alone, so much. I also bring a travel journal on every trip, where I jot down my experiences and sketch whatever’s in front of me. It’s a ritual I treasure, and looking back through those pages always takes me right back to those moments.

Q. If someone is hesitating to take their first solo trip, what’s the one line you’d whisper to them?

I’d whisper, “The hardest part is booking the flight”. Every single solo traveler I know or have met was scared to do it at first; heck, I still get nervous before every solo trip. But the difference between the people who take the trip and those who don’t is that they do it scared! Before my first solo trip, I almost didn’t book it. But once I did, it felt both terrifying and exciting, and that’s where the magic begins.

Q. How do you balance being present in the moment while also creating content?

If I’m being totally honest, this is still something I’m working on, and one of the hardest parts of my job. Every trip feels like an opportunity to work, so it can be tough to turn that part of my brain off and just be in the moment. 

What helps is waking up early to shoot content so it’s out of the way, and then I’m able to focus on actually enjoying the day. Some days I film day vlogs, but even then, I try to capture content first at each location so I can be present there afterwards. I also make sure there are moments I don’t record: dinners, new friends, quiet time for myself, because that balance is what keeps travel special for me.

Bio

Savanna Crowell is the founder of Solo with Sav, a platform empowering women to travel confidently on their own. Through her inspiring content on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and her blog, she shares authentic travel experiences, practical tips, and expert advice, helping solo travelers turn new destinations into unforgettable adventures.

Follow Savanna on Instagram


Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose