Did you travel alone before? The chance is pretty high that you didn't.
Only 11% of the travelers are going solo but that number is rising every year.
I was sceptical about it before, probably like the remaining 89%—isn't it going to be weird? Are people going to judge me? The answer to all those questions in your head is NO!
Over the last year I traveled solo twice, a month in the USA and a week in Madeira.
There are so many benefits when taking a trip on your own and honestly it was a true revelation to me. Here are 5 good reasons you should start doing it too.
1. Discover yourself
Sorry to kick off with a cliché but like it or not, they are usually true.
When was the last time you were alone for more than 24 hours without social contact from family, friends or colleagues? (Lockdowns do not count!)
During your solo vacation you'll get to really discover what your priorities are, your likes and dislikes. Traveling with more people means that there are dependencies. Assertive people in groups are most likely going to do what they like, while non-assertives probably just hop along even if they don't like it. This is your chance to get to know the real you!
2. Do whatever the fuck you want
Want to sleep until noon without alarm?
Want to skip breakfast and just go explore the city?
Want to have a geeky day at the museum?
GOOD! Nobody will be there to judge or tell you to do differently.
Perfect example of this was at my last solo trip in Madeira. I love nature, sunrises and sunsets. So I woke up a couple of times at 5AM to hike a mountain peak to watch sunrise and went back the other day to watch sunset and hike back during the night. My friends would probably just kill me if I would propose them that during our vacation!
3. Boost your confidence
Doing whatever the fuck you want is great, but it also comes with responsibilities. This time you won't have that friend with you who plans everything while you don't need to worry about a thing. You are the one who needs to research all of those things upfront, how to get around, booking tickets and planning the days. If you are not used to this, it can be a great confidence booster. You can do this!
4. Talk more to strangers
You need to seek social contact in different ways and it is something to get used to honestly. More likely you will have a small chat with the local bakery owner or the person sitting on the bench who is waiting for the same bus, which is nice—you'll discover the local lifestyle instead of talking to friends you talk to daily back home.
5. Experience precious moments more deeply
Imagine, you are on a mountain peak watching sunrise above the clouds during sunrise. It is an extremely peaceful moment, but your talkative extrovert friend decides it is a good moment to talk about relationships.
Wouldn't it be nice to be there alone and enjoy in silence? Right!
If you were not into solo traveling before you started reading this post, and this convinced you to do once—my mission is accomplished.
I would love to hear your experiences from your solo travels. Drop a comment below!
At your service,
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