Millennial woman suddenly divorced in her 30s, does something "empowering"
Forget Emily in Paris, it's time for Julia in Paris as one New Yorker celebrated starting over again in her thirties by booking a solo trip to the city of love.
Getting a divorce at the age of 35 certainly wasn't what screenwriter Julia Yorks envisioned for herself, but that became her reality in 2024. Since then, she's had to make some difficult decisions, such as renting an apartment alone and freezing her eggs. Refusing to see this as a setback, she's embracing the challenge of starting over.
To celebrate this new chapter of her life, the millennial booked a four-day trip to Paris in December, to end the year on a high. She told Newsweek that Paris was where she got married and she hadn't returned since. So, this felt like the perfect opportunity to "take it back" for herself.
"Last year, the holidays looked very different for me, since my unexpected divorce. I knew that staying in New York, while so many of my friends were gone, would make me feel too isolated, so I decided to take a solo trip," Yorks said.
She flew out on December 26, ready for four glorious days of French food and wine, as well as shopping at Le Grand Epicerie and Galeries Lafayette and taking in historic sights including Notre Dame. She loved wandering around the city and finding hidden gems dotted around.
Traveling solo had never really been on her agenda before, but returning to Paris after her divorce felt "very full circle" for Yorks. She had a fabulous time taking it all in and having her very own 'Eat Pray Love' moment.
Yorks said: "My favorite thing to do in Paris (or in any city) is to just pick an area and get lost in it. So that's what I did. I loved dining alone too, as it was like taking myself on a date for every meal.
"Traveling alone also makes you so much more open to sparking conversations with strangers, and everyone I met was so lovely and always had a great recommendation for where I should go next," she said.
While it was undoubtedly a memorable trip, that isn't to say there weren't downsides too. Yorks explained that she had "moments of loneliness" at times, but then she remembered where she was, the opportunities that opened up before her, and that she had the power.
For a long time, Yorks felt as though life just happened to her and she had to let it wash over. But finally, in Paris, she came to realize that she has "the ability to make life happen" how she wants to.
"The last time I was in Paris was for my wedding, so it was definitely more of an emotional experience than I anticipated," she told Newsweek. "But it was really eye-opening to realize that I don't have to wait for the perfect time to plan a trip or base my travels around other people. I can just go by myself."
The Online Response
Yorks has been documenting this new era on social media (@juliayorks on TikTok), as she often shares insights about what she's learned since starting over at 35. She even documented her solo trip with daily videos detailing the once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Social media users couldn't get enough of Yorks's European adventure, as the day 1 video amassed over 53,300 views, and day 2 got 14,700 views on TikTok at the time of writing.
By sharing these experiences, Yorks hopes to encourage others who may find themselves in a similar situation and show that it's only just the beginning. "The reaction has been incredibly supportive, and it's so rewarding to inspire others who are starting over to book their own solo trips," Yorks said.
Among the hundreds of comments on TikTok, many people praised Yorks for her honesty and positivity.
One TikTok user wrote: "I am very inspired! Starting over myself and I need something like this. Thank you!"
Another person responded: "Your vulnerability and honesty are inspiring. I am headed to Paris in March to do a very similar trip. solo trips are the next best thing."
A third comment reads: "I'm loving following this adventure with you. Must feel so empowering!"
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