Woman Finds Self-Confidence After Living Alone Before Moving In With Boyfriend

A solo trip to Paris helped the author strengthen her relationship with herself before taking the next step with her partner.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:37pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a woman sitting alone at a cafe table, with the city street blurred in the background, conveying a sense of introspection and personal growth.A solo trip abroad helped this woman rediscover her self-confidence before taking the next step in her relationship.NYC Today

After three years with her long-term boyfriend, the author felt unsure about moving in together. To gain more confidence in herself, she booked a solo trip to Paris for six weeks, where she pushed herself out of her comfort zone and rediscovered her self-worth. This experience ultimately helped her feel ready to take the next step in her relationship.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of self-discovery and personal growth, even in the context of a long-term relationship. By taking time to focus on herself, the author was able to enter her new living situation with a stronger sense of identity and confidence, which can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling partnership.

The details

During her six weeks in Paris, the author faced language barriers and discomfort with being alone, but she pushed herself to try new things and become more comfortable in her own company. She fell in love with simple pleasures like people-watching and enjoying meals by herself. The trip also prompted her to take a closer look at her self-worth, which had become tied to her partner's validation. By the end of the trip, she had a renewed sense of self and felt ready to move in with her boyfriend.

  • A few months ago, the author and her boyfriend had the 'Should we move in together?' talk.
  • The author booked a flight to Paris, where she would spend the next six weeks living alone.
  • After three weeks in Paris, the author took a weekend trip to Nice.

The players

Bridgette Ugarte

The author of the article, who spent six weeks living alone in Paris before moving in with her long-term boyfriend.

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What they’re saying

“Sometimes we use relationships as distractions from finding out who we are on our own, but this experience pushed me to take a closer look at myself.”

— Bridgette Ugarte

The takeaway

This story shows that personal growth and relationship development can go hand-in-hand. By taking time to focus on herself, the author was able to enter her new living situation with a stronger sense of identity and confidence, which can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling partnership.