Solo in the 6ix – The Truth About Traveling Alone

I’ve been in Toronto since the end of July, and won’t leave until September 4th. On paper, it sounds amazing—living in a new city, exploring, working, creating content, and just being Morgan. Everyone says, “Wow, your life is so glamorous!” And don’t get me wrong—it absolutely has its sparkle. The scenery, the food, the fashion, the freedom of planning my own days—it’s all incredible. But what no one tells you about solo travel is that it can also be… isolating.

Some days, I get hit with this wave of loneliness that I didn’t expect. I miss my Mom, my dog Ralph, and I think about my Dad constantly—especially since losing him. Being away from my “normal life,” from the people and routines that ground you, brings all those feelings to the surface. You start reflecting, sometimes a little too deeply, about life, family, and everything in between. The mental load of managing grief, missing loved ones, and feeling “far from home” is real.

It’s not all dramatic, though—I’m still working. That’s the point of being here in the first place. I’m managing projects, meetings, content, and deadlines all while trying to enjoy this city. But solo travel is a constant juggling act. I have to actively manage my mental health because there’s no “home base” to lean on. There’s no quick hug, no familiar conversation, no late-night venting session. I’ve had to learn how to check in with myself, give myself grace, and find little pockets of joy—even when I’m missing everything else.

Some people think being a solo traveler is all about freedom. And it is…sometimes. But it’s also about patience—waiting for payments, waiting for opportunities to land, and navigating a city that’s new to you, without a built-in support system. You learn quickly that you can only control your actions, your attitude, and your self-care. You also learn the importance of carving out space for stillness, reflection, and even a little indulgence—like sitting in a café with an iced matcha, just watching the city breathe around you.

I’ll be honest: I’ve had moments where I wanted to just cry in my hotel room or talk to my dog on FaceTime like I used to. And that’s okay. Part of traveling solo is giving yourself permission to feel fully—whether that’s joy, awe, loneliness, or longing. You can’t have the highs of exploring a new city without the quiet moments of reckoning.

Toronto has been beautiful, inspiring, and full of opportunities for growth. But the reality behind the scenes is that solo travel is emotionally taxing. It requires balancing the dream with the grind, the excitement with the solitude, and the work with the reflection. And it teaches you something that’s easy to forget in everyday life—you can survive, thrive, and find magic even when you’re doing it all on your own.
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So yes, I’m here, solo in the 6ix, living my best life on the surface, while also sitting with the complicated, emotional, messy layers underneath. And honestly? That’s what makes it real. Because the sparkle isn’t just in the city—it’s in learning how to hold space for yourself, even when the distance feels long and the nights feel quiet.