Real quick, let me add to the infinite number of articles floating around the internet explaining why you should try traveling alone. As cliche of a topic as it may seem, there is a reason why so many people who have experienced it for themselves are passionate about convincing others. Sometimes I feel like a broken record when I am always telling people to give it a shot, but I cannot stress enough how much of a life changing experience it can be.
Why I Originally Decided To Go For It:
Without having a specific destination in mind, I was dying to go on a trip somewhere. I was ready mentally, financially, and had a block of time available that I could plan for, but coordinating with a friend or family member was impossible. It can be really difficult figuring out a time to travel that works for both you and a friend, and I started to realize that was the only thing holding me back.
I was so eager about actually taking a trip that even though I decided on going solo, I thought little about what type of comfort zones I’d be leaving in doing so. To me the idea of getting on a plane and getting away seemed so exciting that I wasn’t focused on the reality that when my flight landed I would be completely alone in a foreign country. I know that being alone is usually the scariest part for most people, but there are so many reasons why everyone can benefit from it regardless of your comfort with the idea.
What I Learned As A Result Of The Trip:
Nothing could have prepared me for the reality of what it was like traveling in a different country alone. The experience was thrilling, liberating, nerve wracking, and empowering all at the same time. One of the biggest differences I noticed right away in comparison to traveling with other people was that I wasn’t distracted. With the freedom to do what myself and only myself wished, I was able to simply go with the flow and take in all that my surroundings were offering. Although I was of course alone, I didn’t feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness that I had been fearing. I was able to meet so many locals during my travels and made friends from all different countries and backgrounds.
Appreciating Your Own Company:
Although I would consider myself a fairly independent person, this vacation took my comfort in being alone to another level. It is an entirely different way to feel at peace with your own company, and can go a long way even once you go back to every day life at home. Sharing special experiences with another person can create a deep bond, but I discovered that this can be just as special to share by yourself. I hold some enchanting memories from this trip that only I myself can understand, and there’s a certain beauty to be found in that.
Confidence To Bring Back Home:
As mentioned before, I personally found the action of traveling solo to be one of the most empowering things I had ever done. If you understand the feeling of completing a race or passing a test that you didn’t think you were capable of, that same feeling you get as a result can be a comparison of how solo travel will leave you feeling. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself in the long run because there is so much to be learned from it. When you settle back in to the ‘norm’ in your daily life at home, you will have a new found confidence to tackle all obstacles that are thrown at you.
It is also very possible that you will become absorbed with an insatiable wanderlust the same way I did. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
