“Boldness, be my friend!””

— Cymbeline Act I, scene vi

LOCATION: Mykonos, Greece

HEAD SCARF: Claire's

While I was on a yacht sailing to the island of Delos, I had the thought of writing this blog about solo travelling, which I often do. As women, we still get that tired old response of "WHY?!" Why travel alone. As if that even requires a response. That led me to thinking about Shakespeare's play Cymbeline, for some reason. I mean, the shit Imogen had to go through in that play was crazy. From Iachimo's ridiculous generalizations that all women are sluts, to Posthumus' decision to murder his wife he "loves" (Imogen) because he thinks she slept with another man, to Imogen literally having to change her identity to a man because it's the only way for these men to see her for who she truly is. (I mean, come on, P should be grateful that Imogen married him anyway, and look what he turned around and did!) Actually, these are really common Shakespearean themes…… filled with egotistical thoughts about women. Unfortunately, nothing new under this post-dynastic sun….but it's still crazy. Women are still doing/saying/explaining things to justify who we are, who we want to be, look, act ,etc. When in truth, there is no justification ever needed.

MYKONOS. Beautiful island. I went there alone, and had a great time. I'm not a huge party animal, so don't believe all the hype that Mykonos is just for people who want to party till they drop.

Solo travelling is something I'd recommend everyone do. First off, if you're inclined to do something, then do it. You don't have to convince anyone that what you're doing is the right thing. If it's right for you, then it's right.

People think there are these invisible rules you have to live your life by. They believe you have to do things in a certain way just because. If there were rules on how to live YOUR life (because everyone is unique), you would have come out of your mother's uterus holding a life manual. The fact that you didn't should tell you a lot. You don't owe anybody an explanation for doing what is right for you. Someone's opinion, good or bad, does not reflect on you in any way.

This Carolina Constas off the shoulder dress was a perfect choice for the hot, Mediterrean weather of Mykonos. The long, billowy sleeves matched the waves of the Aegean sea, all the while protecting my arms from the unrelenting heat of the sun. The length was great for the yacht as well, still keeping me cool.