Why Solo Travel is a Must Do Experience
Have you been considering a solo trip for years and been hesitant to pull the trigger? Does it seem too scary? Too expensive? Not fun? Keep reading and let me convince you why you have to make solo travel a must do item on your bucket list.
Travel is a great shared experience. I’ve made some of my favorite memories while traveling with family and friends but there’s something special about solo travel that makes it worth conquering any lingering doubts you may have. Why do I think everyone needs at least one solo trip in their lifetime?
Build cognitive skills: The mental load of being on your own in an unknown location cannot be simulated or really accurately prepared for. You don’t know what situations or issues will arise once you land and without a travel companion, you don’t get to use someone else as a crutch. When you travel with someone else, you have another brain to help you think and problem solve. On your own, you're forced to trust your own reasoning and figure out the best solution.
Boost confidence: Many of us suffer from imposter syndrome and downplay our abilities and successes. A successful solo trip helps to combat that issue because you can’t attribute our success to anyone but yourself. Sometimes I’ll get nervous about an upcoming problem but I remind myself I figured out how to navigate multiple foreign cities on my own and if I can do that, I can do anything.
Gain self-awareness: Solo travel provides a lot of time for self-reflection. Without the need to maintain conversation with travel companions, your thoughts tend to shift inward. You have the opportunity to find out who you are, independent of family and friends, and reconnect with yourself. In a world that’s so go go go, those quiet moments of reflection can be really valuable.
Get outside your comfort zone: While you’re reflecting on who you are, you also have the chance to redefine who you are and try things you never have before. With no one else to fall back on, you might be forced into situations you would typically avoid. This could be as simple as going out to eat alone or joining a group walking tour with a bunch of strangers.
Make new connections: You might be traveling alone but unless you’re also on a silent retreat, you don’t have to be alone the whole time. With people you know, you stay in your bubble of comfort and might not talk to anyone outside your group. Solo, you’ll find that people are more inclined to strike up a conversation with you and you get the chance to interact with someone you would’ve never met if you had your usual group with you.
Have I convinced you? If traveling solo sounds fun but planning a solo trip does not, let us help you! Book a free consult today so we can start mapping out your solo adventure!
Safe Travels,
Briana
