When you tell people that you’re traveling solo, they may be unsure how to respond. They might ask you why you don’t want to travel with a group, or they might think that it sounds like a scary adventure.
The truth is that travelling alone can be both rewarding and challenging. It can also be lonely at times.
1. You’re in charge
When you’re traveling solo, you’re in charge of deciding what to do each day, what highlights you want to see, and making changes as you go. It’s a great feeling, but it can also be exhausting. You’re the one in charge of deciding when to push yourself and when to pull back from something you feel is too risky or unsafe. It’s important to learn how to listen to your body and trust your intuition.
While this may seem like a no-brainer, it’s one of the most difficult things to learn when you travel solo. You can be doing something you’re incredibly comfortable with and then suddenly find yourself completely out of your element. It’s important to know how to be able to handle this when you’re traveling alone so that you don’t end up in a situation that could be dangerous or even life-threatening, says Genuine Adventures.
For example, if you’re hiking alone and it doesn’t feel right to you, then don’t do it! There’s always another trail or day to explore. Trust your gut and stay safe by always keeping a close eye on your surroundings.
2. You’re not alone
You’ll learn a lot about yourself when you take a solo adventure. Traveling alone makes you confront your fears head-on. And when you do, those fears lose their power. This gives you a deeper sense of resilience as you realize that no matter what comes your way, you’re in charge of overcoming it.
When you’re alone, it can be tempting to stray from the beaten path and find your own route. However, this can also put you in dangerous situations if you’re not careful. When you’re traveling solo, you’ll want to keep an eye out for anything that seems strange, like shifts in the landscape or animals acting weirdly. Staying aware will keep you safe and can help you connect with the natural world.
When you’re on a solo adventure, you’ll find that people go out of their way to help you. You’ll meet families who will insist on driving you across town to the bus station or travelers that will lend you their chargers without batting an eyelash. This is because people are genuinely kind and it’s part of what makes solo adventure so special. It’s a chance to see how the world really is and to make new friends along the way.
3. You’ll meet people
While some people may be scared of travelling solo because they think it will be lonely, the opposite is true. You’ll be surrounded by other travellers and will likely make some life long friends along the way. One of the best places to meet fellow travelers is in hostels. Hostels are set up to be a communal environment and are usually full of backpackers. You’ll also meet other travellers when you book an activity such as a tour or scuba dive and are part of a group.
If you’re shy it can be a little harder to meet people while travelling alone but it isn’t impossible. If you’re hesitant to talk to strangers then try to minimize the amount of time you spend on your phone and ear buds and instead smile, be friendly, and have fun. The more you do this the more comfortable it will become and you’ll find it easier to chat with people.
Another great thing about meeting people is that they’ll be able to give you some insight into the place you’re visiting. Many of them will have traveled to that same destination or at least have some experience travelling in it. This can be an incredible resource for information and is something that you won’t find from a travel guidebook. If you have a question just ask – it’s never rude to do so!
4. You’ll make new friends
A big concern that people have when thinking about travelling solo is that they will be lonely or won’t make friends. This is definitely a possibility at times, but it shouldn’t stop you from taking the plunge and booking that flight. I’ve found that there are a few key things you can do to make making new friends on a solo adventure a lot easier.
First off, you need to be approachable. So if you’re sitting in the hostel common room with your book and someone sits down next to you, go up to them and start a conversation. Talk about where they are from, what they’re doing on their trip, and what their life is like back home. If they ask you if you want to join them for drinks or an activity, be brave and say yes. The worst they can do is say no, and then you can go back to reading your book!
I’ve also found that learning a little bit of the local language helps. It opens up a whole other world when you can have conversations with the locals and learn about their culture. It’s a great way to connect with other people and make some lifelong friends!
5. You’ll be independent
Embarking on a solo adventure isn’t just about seeing the world; it’s about learning to love yourself. It’s about embracing your strengths and weaknesses and realizing that you are capable of navigating any challenge that life throws at you. It’s about recognizing that you are resilient and deserving of every amazing experience that this wonderful planet has to offer.
Traveling solo teaches you how to be independent, and it’s a lesson that is invaluable no matter what age you are. It’s a lesson that is learned in the darkest of times, when you are alone in your rental car on a road that shouldn’t be driven on (which you discovered too late), sweaty and terrified because you think you are going to fall off the side of a cliff and there’s no one to call for help.
It’s a lesson that is learned when you are stuck in an airport for 16 hours with a broken leg, when you have to figure out where your next stop is after your flight gets delayed for six extra days, or when you realize you have no idea how to make the best use of your limited time in this amazing city. But these are the moments that will make you stronger, better and a damn superhero. And that’s a beautiful thing. And that’s a lesson that can be applied to all aspects of your life, not just your travels.
6. You’ll learn to love yourself
Whether you’re hiking alone in the mountains or enjoying a glass of wine at your favorite bar, there will be times when you are just by yourself. This is a great time to take in the moment and enjoy yourself. It also gives you the opportunity to learn to love yourself and become comfortable in your own company. Too many people define themselves by the people they spend their time with and don’t realize how much they can benefit from some alone time.
It may sound cliche, but travelling solo really helps you understand yourself better. You don’t have anyone else to rely on, so you start to really know your likes and dislikes. You also begin to understand your fears and dreams. You’ll probably have some major epiphanies that will change your life forever.
There is nothing worse than going on a crazy adventure and coming back home to nobody who understands what you just went through. That’s why it is so important to tell those close to you about your experience and how amazing it was. They may not completely get it, but they will be there to help you through those rough patches when they come. And, they’ll be more than happy to hear all about the epic things you saw and did. That will give them something to be jealous of too! Just don’t forget to take photos!
