Finding your footing again after a painful separation often unlocks a natural surge of empowerment, rooted in renewed self-trust and autonomy.
Solo travel can be daunting, but for Samantha Griggs, a travel photographer from Portland, Oregon, taking that leap and venturing out on her own proved to be the perfect remedy for reclaiming her independence. Over six months, she journeyed through British Columbia and nine western states accompanied by her dog, Sam. She came away not just with stunning vistas, but also with a powerful lesson: leaning into discomfort and staying present offers deep, necessary self-reflection.
People handle heartbreak in different ways, but there's always value in hearing how an unforeseen experience can spark profound transformation. We spoke with Sam to hear about the insights her journey revealed and how she met her beloved dog, Navajo.
Photo by Ashton Morgan
Valerie Pauley: Ending a relationship is never easy. What went through your mind right after you and your ex-partner chose to part ways?
Samantha Griggs: My mind was all over the place at first. I felt scared and completely lost. My immediate impulse was to curl up and shut out the world. He had been my closest companion, and I knew he would no longer be by my side. We had mapped out so many travel adventures together, and now he would be embarking on those without me. After plenty of tears and reflection, I understood that I had to forge my own path—so I chose to travel solo.
VP: How did you and Navajo first meet?
SG: I was traveling through Monument Valley, Utah—which sits on a reservation—with my ex-partner. Stray dogs are common there. Navajo approached us in a parking lot, just staring up at us. She was a tiny six-month-old puppy. Since we already had a dog, we tried to give her some food, but other strays crowded around and wouldn't let her eat. So I picked her up—it was around 20°F—and asked locals if she belonged to anyone. No one claimed her, so I asked my ex if we could keep her. He agreed, and we took her in. She wasn't healthy: very lethargic and distant. I checked her ears and found about 30 to 50 ticks, which I removed. She also had a severe infection in three broken teeth, so we had those extracted at the vet. Now she's thriving and full of energy.
Photo by Maisy Weiss
VP: What prompted you to embark on this journey, and what were your expectations at the time?
SG: Honestly, I had no expectations. I had been working through a lot of anxiety and had reached a point where I could travel without being overwhelmed by it. I simply felt a strong urge to go, trusting that everything would work out—and it did. Looking back, I still had no expectations for what the trip would bring. And I think that was the smartest approach; if I had set expectations, I might have convinced myself not to go.
Photo by Kelly Calvillo
VP: Did you discover anything unexpected during your travels?
SG: After my previous relationship ended, my self-confidence and self-trust had taken a hit. I never anticipated that I would regain so much trust in myself. Initially, hiking alone was frightening, but over time a surge of confidence grew. I truly learned how to be comfortable in my own company and rely on my own judgment—something I hadn't expected.
VP: You have a strong social media presence. Did that help or hinder your healing process?
SG: It actually made things harder. In past breakups, I could move on more easily because I wasn't constantly seeing my ex on my phone. This time was different because we have mutual friends, so even if I didn't follow him or check his profiles, he would still appear in other people's posts. Seeing him everywhere made the process much tougher.
I felt a strong pull to leave, trusting that everything would work out—and it certainly did.
Photo by Natalie Allen
VP: It's easy to want to run away from painful emotions or pretend they don't exist. How did you strike a balance between sitting with your feelings and pushing ahead toward personal growth?
SG: Being on the road forced me to face my emotions head-on—I was alone with no distractions. When I camped solo, it was just Navajo and me, and since she isn't much of a conversationalist, I spent a lot of time inside my own head. That allowed me to concentrate on myself and truly process everything I'd been through. I feel like I'm gradually rediscovering who I am, and I'm becoming more self-sufficient than before—something I had lost in my last relationship, as often happens.
Going in with zero expectations was the best decision I could make; otherwise, I would have likely talked myself out of the whole trip.
VP: What message would you share with someone in a similar situation right now?
SG: Keep moving forward—it's certainly not the end of everything. You were on your own before, and you can be again. Solo travel isn't for everybody, but if you're wavering because of a breakup, I say go for it. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made, and I encountered incredible people on the road. It's a memory I'll cherish forever.
Have you ever set out on an adventure to work through a tough time? What did you learn about yourself?
Feature image courtesy of Samantha Griggs
