The Importance of Solo Travel: Embracing Freedom and Growth

Why Solo Travel Matters

How many times have you planned a trip with a family member or friend only for them back out? Did the thought of going alone not cross your mind? Did you decided to wait for that person or people only for years of your life to pass without the trip every amounting to anything but a pipe dream? The thought of solo travel is scary for some people. Traveling, navigating, eating alone is a scary concept, especially somewhere unfamiliar. But, why not re-frame that? There is so much freedom in solo travel, there’s something incredibly liberating about exploring the world on your own terms.

Benefits of Traveling Alone

One of the most significant benefits of solo travel is the freedom it offers. When you travel alone, you have complete control over every aspect of your itinerary. You can go on the exact dates you want, exactly where you want, eat the food you want, when you want to, see the weird museum exhibits or just stroll in a local market all day. Whatever YOU want to do, you CAN do! It's really refreshing, there is no compromising.

Besides freedom, solo travel can foster a sense of independence. Navigating unknown territories builds confidence and problem-solving skills. You learn to adapt to different situations, overcome challenges, and become more resilient. This newfound independence isn't just limited to traveling; it spills over into various aspects of life. You may find that small tasks seem more manageable in your day-to-day routine!

Lastly, even though you are solo traveling, you open yourself up to meeting new people & new opportunities you may not have if you were with another person. I have gotten to talk to & meet so many people I likely would never have if it weren't for me solo traveling. When I was in Mexico City I did a group tour to see a Lucha Libre match and afterwards spent the evening bar hopping & eating tacos from street stalls with a couple on their honeymoon from the UK and a few others on a trip together from Canada. It was one of the highlights of my trip! I decided to take that tour the day of, because I decided last minute I wanted to go!

Challenges You May Encounter

Of course, solo travel isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There are challenges you might face along your journey. For instance, feeling lonely is a common hurdle and the thing that likely comes to mind. When you’re alone, it can sometimes be easy to feel a bit disconnected. However, this solitude can also be a profound opportunity to reflect and recharge. Remember the trip is only what you make of it, if you are lonely - take that group tour, stay in hostel, sign up for a cooking class or something that will get you engaging with others.

Safety is another concern many people have about traveling solo. While it’s important to remain cautious and aware of your surroundings, solo travelers can take effective measures to ensure their security. Research your destination beforehand, keep your belongings close, and trust your instincts. By being prepared and proactive, you can mitigate risks and enjoy a worry-free trip.

Personally, I find being the only one to navigate myself from place to place sometimes the most exhausting part of solo travel. At first it was more so that I was taking the wrong train or bus, but that is a skill I have semi-mastered over the years, but just the general navigating in an unknown city can be tiring. Always having to use your phone & making sure your battery doesn't die in the middle of the day can be stressful! So I have learned to not to overwhelm myself with planning for a ton of things in a day which means I have to navigate from place to place less & to always bring a portable charger with me so I am not as worried about my phone battery. Whatever might be the thing that concerns you the most about solo travel is what you should focus on alleviating the pressures of as much as possible.

Embracing the Experience

All in all, solo travel offers a unique combination of liberty and self-discovery while overcoming challenges that lead to personal development. You might just come back feeling empowered and equipped with invaluable life skills that foster more confidence in your day-to-day having to do things or tasks on your own.

Personally, the biggest drawback of solo travel is how I enjoy it almost too much! It is my preferred way to travel so now I don't tend to even ask others if they are interested and just plan my own thing! I prefer the freedoms of being by myself, over being in a group or waiting for anyone else to align their time off with mine. Ever since I started to solo travel more frequently it is how I end up traveling about 95% of the time.

I have solo traveled to Japan, South Korea, Morocco, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Mexico, Colombia (& maybe more if I am forgetting any!) So, if planning your solo trip feels a bit daunting I would love to work with you to craft the trip of your dreams! Reach out & let's get planning!