Solo, But Not Sad: Why You Should Try to Travel Solo Even Once in Your Life
“Travel solo? Are you out of your mind? Who’d take pictures of my OOTD?” This might be what you’re thinking right now, but hear me out; there are different psychological benefits to traveling solo. Besides, you can just buy a tripod before the trip or, better yet, ask someone else during your trip to take a picture of you.
Travel Solo to Become More Independent
When you’re alone, you don’t have anyone else to rely on. It will be easier for you to step up and take charge. Now, when you need extra tissue, or you want to find out when the next train’s going to be, you can’t be shy to ask for help since no one will come to your rescue.
While solo traveling can be intimidating, it’s also incredibly empowering. Not only will it make you more independent, but it will also boost your confidence and help you feel more at ease being alone.
You Can Set Your Schedule
One of the advantages of traveling alone is that you don’t need to follow anyone’s schedule except yours. Want to sleep in? Go for it! Just spend your afternoon roaming around the city at your own pace. You can do whatever you want without checking if someone else is okay with it. You can wander around anytime and anywhere instead of following a strict itinerary. Hello, spontaneous adventures and hidden gems!
Discover More About Yourself
Brokenhearted people change their scenery to do soul-searching while mending their hearts. Don’t wait to get heartbroken to try and travel solo! You might be amazed at what you discover about yourself when you explore on your own. You might be surprised that you still remember some basic conversational Spanish you learned in school—something you might not realize if you were traveling with a Latina friend.
You Can Go on a Culinary Adventure
If you travel alone, you can go on a culinary adventure and sample foods from different cultures, even exotic ones! If you travel with someone who is a picky eater, you’ll end up eating food that you’re familiar with instead of trying new flavors. Traveling is the perfect opportunity to indulge in authentic cuisine.
Overcoming Hesitations About Solo Travel
It’s understandable why people, women especially, feel hesitant to travel alone since there is the concern for safety, language barrier, cultural differences, boredom, and loneliness. But preparing before the trip can help ease those concerns. Consider choosing safer destinations, learning key phrases in the local language, familiarizing yourself with the culture, packing some good books to read, and learning to enjoy your own company.
