I Wasn’t Okay When I Left

I want to be upfront about that, because it matters. I drove Sioux onto the ferry feeling scared, exhausted, mentally not okay, and deeply uncertain whether I was making a catastrophic mistake.

The Decision to Go

The decision didn’t come from confidence. It came from knowing that staying where I was wasn’t working. Sometimes that’s the only clarity you have.

The Drive Itself

Solo driving across Europe is absorbing in a way that can be genuinely useful when your brain is trying to eat itself. I cried somewhere in France. I pulled over and cried and then I kept driving.

What I Want You to Take From This

  • If you’re struggling, please talk to someone — a GP, a friend, a helpline.
  • In the UK, the Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123.

Spain, Eventually

I made it. I parked somewhere with a good view and thought about how I’d driven here alone from England while not okay. That was something.