Yeah. Same.
When people ask how I decide where to go, they imagine some dreamy, well-researched process involving mood boards, spreadsheets, and perfectly curated Pinterest vibes. And while I do have a decade-old planner filled with sticky notes and dreams, the truth is a little messier. My travel decisions usually come down to gut instinct, a vibe shift, and a sprinkle of travel chaos magic.
One night while scrolling TikTok (as one does), I saw someone post “FIBI” short for Fuck It, Book It, and it stopped me in my tracks. That is exactly how I travel. That’s my entire travel planning process wrapped up in four reckless, beautiful words.
If I feel pulled to a place, I FIBI. I’ll figure the rest out later.
The Dream Scroll
It always starts the same way. I’m minding my business, sipping a matcha latte, and suddenly I’m 37 videos deep into a TikTok spiral, watching strangers live their best lives in places I hadn’t even considered. One minute, I’m dreaming of Bali; the next, I’m pricing out solo cruises through the Norwegian fjords. I save everything. I research nothing. I want it all.
I once had a trip all lined up through a travel company I used to love. For months, I bounced between options: Albania? Norway? Maybe even South America? Then one day, deep in doom scroll mode, I stumbled on a video of a travel creator exploring Albania. I was instantly obsessed. The content, the scenery, the energy—it all hit. I knew I had to go.
So I did what I do best. I FIBI-ed.
But the plot twist: the travel company went under 5 months prior to travel. Total emotional gut punch. To make it even better, I already had non-refundable airline tickets to Norway. So what did I do? I rallied and booked a ten-day cruise through Northern Europe instead. FIBI strikes again.
The “Change My Mind Four Times” Era
Here’s the thing: I always change my mind. I’ll declare that a trip is “it” and then pivot three more times. Budget? Flight times? The weather forecast in July? All totally valid reasons. But sometimes it’s just vibes.
Maybe I don’t want to sweat through Morocco in the middle of summer. Maybe I want cool air, layers, and a glass of wine in a quiet European café.
At one point, I had a comprehensive four-week Balkan itinerary planned, but I ended up scrapping the entire thing for a cruise. It’s not that the trip wasn’t amazing on paper—it just wasn’t right for the version of me planning it.
If you looked at my calendar, you’d wonder if I even understand how ink works. It’s full of scratched-out cities, arrows, and question marks. But once I hit that limit—when I just can’t overthink anymore—I book. And when it’s booked? Now it’s real. Now it’s time to plan.
That Sweet, Spicy FIBI Energy
Then it hits. That gut-level moment when I just need to feel something. And that’s when the magic happens. That’s when the FIBI moment arrives.
I’ve booked flights at midnight. Cruises with two months’ notice. Said yes to trips with zero prep and no idea what I was walking into.
While living in Mexico City, a travel group I followed sent out an email about their new wellness retreats. I hesitated for about five minutes—checked flight prices—and booked it. Just like that.
The retreat was one week in Israel (pre-war and pre-my deeper understanding of the region). I had never been, but something inside me said go. So I did.
FIBI to Tel Aviv for three weeks. Then on to Athens, Greece for three months.
Best decision I have ever made.
Greece was everything. It healed me. It inspired me. It reminded me of who I am. My soul? Still there. Somewhere between the Greek ruins and a plate of Spanakopita.
[Optional: Add a personal photo or journal-style snippet from Greece here. You know we want to see it.]
The Real Secret?
I don’t travel to check boxes or hit a country count. I travel where I feel called. Sometimes that means sipping wine on a rooftop in Italy. Sometimes it means hiking solo in Greece. And sometimes it’s crying happy tears in a thermal spa on a cruise because everything just feels right.
If I wait for the perfect plan, I’ll never go.
If I wait for someone else to join me, I’ll never leave.
But if I trust the pull. If I listen to that quiet little voice even when it changes four times, I always end up exactly where I’m meant to be.
So if you’re spiraling about where to go next…
Maybe it’s time for you to FIBI.
XO,
Single Girl Travels