My Solo Trip to Universal Studios Hollywood: A Game Changer

 As a 22-year-old in college, I never thought I'd end up going to a theme park alone. I’ve always associated places like Universal Studios with big groups of friends or family trips. But when I got a free ticket through my job at NBC, the opportunity was too good to pass up—even if the idea of going solo gave me serious second thoughts.

I'll be honest, I was nervous. I worried about looking out of place or being judged for being alone. Theme parks are usually social environments. Would it feel awkward standing in line without anyone to chat with or having no one to scream with on the rides? The whole experience was way out of my comfort zone, but I wanted to challenge myself. I knew that stepping out of that comfort zone might just be worth it.

And it totally was!

The moment I walked through the gates, I felt a weird sense of freedom. I could do whatever I wanted. I wasn’t stuck following someone else's agenda or debating what to do next. I hit all the rides I was excited about (The Mummy and Jurassic World were musts), took snack breaks whenever I felt like it, and even had time to just sit and people-watch while enjoying some butterbeer in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The entire day was at my own pace, and it was unexpectedly relaxing.

There were definitely moments where I felt a little awkward. Like when I saw families laughing together in line or groups of friends posing for pictures. But I quickly realized no one really cared that I was there alone. Everyone was so wrapped up in their own fun that my solo status went unnoticed. And honestly, being able to focus on my own experience made it even better.

By the end of the day, I had so much fun that I was already thinking about when I could go again. It completely changed my perspective on doing things alone. For the longest time, I thought solo activities had a built-in stigma, but this trip proved otherwise. Now I’m not just okay with the idea of doing things by myself—I’m excited about it. It feels empowering to know I can enjoy something like a theme park without needing someone else there to "complete" the experience.

Stepping out of my comfort zone didn’t just make me feel more independent; it also showed me that some of the best memories can be made when you’re just hanging out with you.