I have traveled in groups, with a best friend and alone. As crazy as it may sound, my most memorable travel experiences have all come while traveling solo. I understand that for many of you the idea of traveling alone goes against everything you think you know about yourself, but here are 5 reasons why you should travel solo. Don’t knock it until you try it!
1.) GET TO KNOW YOURSELF
Now more than ever, we are constantly bombarded by outside influences. Leaving us lost trying to figure out who we are as individuals. The only way to get to know yourself is to spend some time with yourself. Traveling solo is the best way to spend some quality time learning about you. When you completely separate yourself from everyone who knows you, this gives you judgement free room to develop your identity. Because of this, I have learned more about myself through traveling solo than any other medium.
2.) TRAVEL HOW YOU WANT
There is nothing more frustrating than feeling like you are traveling with an anchor. Whether this person is a vibe killer, lazy or just has different a travel style, the last thing you need when traveling is someone who is going to hold you back from getting the full travel experience that you desire. We work so hard and wait so long for the opportunity to travel, don’t come home with regrets. The best way to make sure you experience everything you want is to travel solo.
3.) MAKE NEW FRIENDS
The truth is, if you are not traveling solo, then you are traveling in a bubble. I find it hard to meet new people when I’m already with people that I know. There’s no reason to venture out of your comfort zone, so you stay in the bubble. Fortunately, traveling solo forces you to break out of your comfort zone and meet new people. Not only that but, as a party of one, other travelers are much more likely to approach you and other groups are much more likely to take you in. Bonds that you make while traveling are special and have a way of lasting. After a few trips, you will have friends from around the world that you can visit!
4.) GROW AS A PERSON
If you are looking to experience real growth, then travel solo. Anytime you are traveling you will come across obstacles. When you tackle these obstacles on your own you acquire skills that will be valuable throughout your entire life. For example, bartering, navigation, communication, situational awareness and most importantly, self reliance. There is nothing more empowering than knowing that you can 100% rely on yourself. Traveling solo is a great way gain that confidence.
5.) HAVE A TRUE ADVENTURE
As travelers, we all crave one thing, adventure. It’s what keeps us spending our hard earned money on cheap plane tickets. I can absolutely guarantee you that traveling solo will be the best adventure you have had yet. Once you try it, you will find yourself struggling to go back to the non-solo travel life you once lived. There’s something magical about traveling solo that always causes this unpredictable chain of events that leads you onto wild adventures. One second your alone sipping a Mojito at the bar. The next second your in the back of a jeep filled with locals heading down to the beach for a midnight bonfire. That’s just how traveling solo goes. Your down for whatever and that whatever always turns out to be an awesome experience that you can only get while traveling alone.
YOU HAVE YOUR REASONS. NOW SEND IT.
If these 5 reasons have convinced you to go out on your own, you are in for the adventure of a lifetime. I envy your solo travel virginity. There’s nothing like that first time. Get ready to learn things you never knew about yourself, travel how you want, make new friends, grow and experience the true colors of travel.
