Holidays are always viewed as a time for family and friends, but traveling alone can be especially liberating.
You may be hesitant at first, but don’t let your apprehensions stop you from taking that step. Heading out alone that first time will make you want to do it over and over again.
Challenge yourself to travel on your own and see how it helps you grow as a person.
Here are a few reasons highlighting the benefits of solo travel.
- It will change you for the better.
Traveling to an unfamiliar land all by yourself forces you to leave all of life’s troubles behind you. Nothing teaches you to live in the present like being by yourself in a strange land.
Exploring a new place on your own will force you to be conscious of the people and places around you. You can’t be lost in the worries that drown you in your daily life when you’re traveling on your own.
You know how people go on those cleansing diets to rid their body of toxins? That is basically what traveling alone does to your spirit.
It changes your perspective. If you really are running away from problems in your life, whether it is the stress of your job or a bad breakup, being on the road by yourself has a way of making your problems look much smaller. Knowing that you have an escape is comforting for the soul.
- It forces you out of your comfort zone.
Back at home, you’ve probably got a group of friends that you spend time with at your regular hangouts. It’s familiar and a little predictable. You’re not growing as a person when you’re constantly doing the same thing over and over again.
Traveling alone pushes you out of your comfort zone. You get comfortable with the idea of “winging it,” and you go where your heart takes you. You are more open to taking risks while still being in survival mode.
- There’s so much out there.
The moment you land in a new place, you’ll be a little baffled about where to start because there is so much to explore. When you’re traveling with others it’s easy to get distracted, but visiting beautiful places on your own will allow you to really soak it all in.
There are places out there that will take your breath away, and if you’re looking to really connect with the rich history and culture of a place, then you need to visit it by yourself.
- You will meet new people.
Traveling alone is a great way to meet new people; not your usual run-in at the bar, but people who come from different backgrounds and places you aren’t familiar with.
You’ll meet other travelers and people from the places you visit. There will be things about them that shock you, but there will be so much more that connects you.
Also, through traveling on your own, you’ll realize that people are inherently nice. No one wants to come across as rude in the short time you spend with them. They will do their best to be helpful and accommodating. It’ll restore your faith in humanity.
- You learn to trust yourself.
Traveling on your own teaches you to trust your instincts. On your first solo trip you may be a little flustered, but the moment you begin to navigate by yourself, each destination and activity will feel like an accomplishment.
Many events in our daily lives can cause our trust to waiver, but when you’re out there on your own with nothing other than a heavy tote bag, with no one but yourself to count on, you’ll realize that you’re stronger than you think.
- It will widen your horizon.
You are more open and accepting to new cultures and beliefs when you travel on your own. Think of it this way, when you’re traveling with family or friends, you’ll still be thinking of “us & them.” You won’t do that when you’re on your own. When you are by yourself, you’re more likely to open your mind and embrace other customs; you don’t want to be seen as the close-minded “other.”
- Get to know yourself.
Being by yourself will give you the opportunity to be alone with your thoughts. You’ll find that you have more clarity when you’re away from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. Every now and then in life you feel “stuck,” but traveling on your own gives you new perspectives and you are able to process your thoughts differently.
- You won’t come back the same.
When you return, you’ll find that you have renewed energy and more motivation. You have more faith in your capabilities because you know you can survive on your own in a strange land. You’re more confident, you’re wiser, you took risks and they paid off.
After you return and you go back to your regular life, you’ll know that you have an escape plan when things get mundane…and that is when you can begin planning your next trip!
