Everyone’s been hit by the travel bug but if you’re signing up for a group tour or trying to get your friends together to plan that epic vacation, we suggest you hit the pause button. There’s a reason why everyone spends so much time talking about solo travel – it’s because it’s something you have to try, at least once! Take a look at what a good idea it would be to pack your bags and jet set across the globe, alone.
1. Be social!
Travelling with a group of friends is fun – but, imagine coming home with a new one! Travelling alone gives you the opportunity to meet and mingle with a number of great people, so you can step out of your group of familiar faces and meet other, like-minded people from across the globe. You’ll learn new things, have stimulating conversations and make some lifelong friends that share the same interests as you. And, what travel enthusiast wouldn’t want to add a few new travel buddies to their list?
2. Celebrate your freedom
No matter how much freedom you have in your own city, there’s a certain sense of freedom that travel gives you, even when you’re travelling with companions. When you’re alone however, there’s an incredibly unmatched sense of freedom that you can’t fathom unless you try it. Whether you want to gorge on insect legs or abseil down that rock face, you don’t have to depend on anyone else’s preferences to do so. You make your own plans, do exactly what you want, when you want and no one can tell you otherwise.
3. Grow up
Everyone always has a little growing up to do – and one thing is for certain, travelling alone puts everything in perspective. In fact, if you’re terrified of strange and unfamiliar places, you are the perfect candidate for a solo trip. The further you go, the better it will be to boost your confidence in the long run. You will have no one to depend on, no one to make your decisions for you and nowhere to hide when you feel like giving up. So pack your bags and get going, you’ll feel like a whole new person when you’ve completed your first solo trip.
4. Get some ME time
When was the last time you spent an entire day by yourself, doing things that you love to do, instead of things you have to do? Can’t remember? We thought so! Grab your suitcase and head off on a solo trip because it’s the best way to take some time off without any distractions whatsoever. Use your vacation to pamper yourself, give yourself a break from the chaos of daily life or get your adrenaline pumping like you never could with a 9-5 job or a packed study schedule. Going on a trip with friends will include a lot of socialising, leaving you with little or no time to lay by the beach with your favourite book or indulge in a little soul-searching among the mountains.
5. Make your life easier
There’s another reason you really should leave your friends and family behind and make a trip by yourself – you’ll actually make the trip! Co-ordinating with people can take weeks, months and in some cases, years. This means that you’ll take fewer, shorter trips and spend most of your time planning how to co-ordinate leave dates and finding a balance between everyone’s budget. When it’s just you, all you have to do is pick a place, decide on your own budget and get going!
6. Be a local
Think of it this way – you’re alone in a foreign land, with no friends and unfamiliar surroundings. Instead of running to the first hotel you recognise and looking for a food item you recognise on the menu, befriend a few locals and get into the heart of the culture. When you travel alone, people will be more receptive about helping you out, whether it’s to find your way around, try a local dish or learn a few phrases to get you around town.
7. Save more
Travelling alone is definitely cheaper than travelling in a group. Think about splitting the bill at restaurants, booking activities and getting around the places that you visit. Paying for one is always cheaper!
8. Be a new person
Think you need a little change? Forget getting a haircut, travelling alone will give you so much time with yourself; you’ll have no choice but to think about things that you should be doing. Whether it’s an unexpected change or a chance to reflect on what you’ve been missing out on, this is a great way to create a new persona.
9. Tick things off your list
Always wanted to stay on a houseboat? Want to go skydiving or bungee jump into a deep water body? You don’t have to wait for company to do so if you’re travelling solo. Tick off everything on your bucket list.
10. Spontaneity counts
This is the one time in your life that you will get to be the most spontaneous you will ever be. Whether it’s a last minute invitation to a party or a quick change in plans, travelling alone means that you can do what you want in the blink of an eye without having to check with anyone about it first.
11. You’ll come back stronger
Learn about new cultures, learn how to be independent – travelling alone makes you a stronger, more intelligent and empowered person.
Taking a solo vacation is the perfect way to make that step into being independent.
Nicole
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- 11 Reasons Why You Should Travel Solo at least Once in Your Lifetime - September 11, 2021
