Two weeks ago, I returned from North America on my 4th solo adventure. It was a tough trip mentally, fighting jet lag and catching morning flights. Deprived of quality sleep for 72 hours, I contemplated at one time whether I made the right decision to backpack across the States.

Fortunately after the initial jitters, my body clock finally adjusted to the new time zone and I no longer struggled to stay awake and get through the day. I learnt that having a good night’s rest really made the difference in how much I enjoyed myself.

This trip also marked the first time I stayed in a hostel on my own, which is a huge step out of my comfort zone as I prefer my private space to retreat to after a long day out. The experience couldn’t be better as I found new friends who made the stay infinitely better.