Five Reasons Why You Should Travel Solo At Least Once!
I experienced my first solo trip last November, when I spent four nights on my own in Adelaide, South Australia for a convention. Going on my own ended up being a last minute thing, as I was hoping someone would come along with me, however I do not regret my decision to bite the bullet and travel solo!
Solo travel isn’t necessarily “unsafe”, neither is it the “safest option” (I suppose). I definitely feel more secure with other people, especially in an area that I am not too familiar with! However I took the time to research the area and took some extra precaution and ended up having an awesome time. So here are five reasons why I suggest that everyone should travel solo at least once!
ONE: Do what you want, when you want.
This is a big one for me, as I love to get up early and start exploring the minute that the sun rises! However for other people who love to sleep in and rather experience the night life instead, I can see why this would come across as annoying. The best thing about solo travel is that you get to spend each and every day how YOU want to. The schedule of your day revolves entirely around you, and therefore there is no one else to worry about other than yourself. This makes it easier to make decisions if things don’t turn out to plan and you don’t have to feel the guilt of potentially “ruining” someone’s trip!
TWO: It builds confidence.
Travelling solo can be terrifying; I was definitely terrified and so were my parents! However this experience allowed me to build some much needed confidence, especially as someone who is quite introverted. If you hit a road block, and don’t have anyone else to back you up, I can see why this would feel quite scary or unsettling. However, to be able to trust your own resourcefulness and be able to get yourself out of a tricky situation, can bring a whole new level of self-confidence and faith in yourself. You can learn to push yourself in every situation.
THREE: You can travel more often.
“The world is just too big to have to wait around for someone to go with you every time you want to go on an adventure.” – Forbes Daily.
This is an important one for me. As someone who loves to travel often, I find it difficult to find people or convince my friends to come along, as our schedules may clash or they might just not be interested! The best thing about solo travel is that if you cannot find someone to come along with you, you can shrug it off and go on your own! Why miss out on an amazing opportunity? Go get it!
FOUR: You’ll learn to make things happen.
“There isn’t anyone around to decide for you! Simple as that!” – @robertopaoloferrone
If you want something; you’ll do anything to get it and you’ll do anything to make sure it happens. You want to go skydiving but your friends might too scared? Or you want to go climb that really tall mountain? Or you want to set out at 5am in the morning to catch the sunrise at the beach? Or you want to go bar hopping and experience the night life? If you really want to do it, nothing and no one can hold you back. You are in control, and it feels awesome!
FIVE: You’ll get the travel bug!
You are going to have the most amazing experience seeing everything you want to see, and doing everything that you want to do, that by the time you get back home, you’ll be ready to pack your bags again! And if you loved your solo trip as much as I did, I guarantee that the minute you’re back at home, you’ll be researching the cheapest deals and the coolest places to visit. I have already started to list some of the places I would love to see on my own! Coming back to my regular 9-5 grind feels like such a drag now and I now spend most of time on travel websites, dreaming about my next destination!
I experienced my first solo trip last November, when I spent four nights on my own in Adelaide, South Australia for a convention. Going on my own ended up being a last minute thing, as I was hoping someone would come along with me, however I do not regret my decision to bite the bullet…