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7 Reasons to Travel Solo

Although, it is exciting and rewarding to travel to newer places with family and friends, but there’s something incredible about traveling alone. And that’s also because some journeys in life can only be traveled alone.  Don’t believe this? Well here are some compelling reasons to travel solo…

Reason #1 : It IS Empowering

There was a time, when I would feel extremely uncomfortable to eat alone at a restaurant. And then, I got over it. Traveling alone pushes you to move outside your comfort zones as you come across so many unfamiliar situations. Since, there’s nobody to handle these situations for you, you overcome all your fears and inhibitions and just plunge into them. And believe me, that’s truly empowering.

Reason #2 : It Recharges You

When you are traveling with family, (for a woman especially), it is not vacation, but just a change of location. You have to look after your family’s needs just like the way you do at home. Traveling alone will give you the all that is needed to rest, relax and recharge you. You don’t have to follow timetables, if you don’t want to and can enjoy a place totally at your own pace.

Reason #3 : You Discover Yourself

Solo travel gives you an opportunity to break-free from the regular routine and spend significant time alone. And this time gives you an opportunity to reflect on your thoughts, dreams and life as well as develop self awareness and you learn to be more comfortable in your own skin. I think one travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more.” — Thomas Jefferson

7 Reasons to Travel Solo

Reason #4 : It Builds Confidence

A friend who has traveled the world with her family, had to travel alone some time back. She was a nervous wreck by the time she boarded the flight. It was because, her husband took care of all things, always. And today, she is a pro. When you travel solo, independence isn’t something that you need to achieve; it comes naturally to you. You have to take care of your own luggage and find your way too. Facing all the challenges, makes you a problem solver and that makes you independent and certainly boosts your confidence.

Reason #5 :  It Makes You Richer

Solo travel is a life changing experience. It makes you rich in terms of adventures, memories, experiences, knowledge and insights. These experiences when traveling alone, tend to be more meaningful and profound.

Reason #6 : You Learn Skills

I had a poor sense of direction and believed in traveling with luggage which would last me for two trips. Some mishaps made me learn to travel light and become a better traveler.

Reason #7 : It Makes You Appreciative of Your Loved Ones

Days and weeks away from your family would make you realize how important they are in your life. Traveling solo certainly makes you appreciate your family and friends more.

Solo Travel can appear to be intimidating initially. But it is going to be one of the best experiences of your life. Go for it at least once a year and going for it once in your lifetime is MANDATORY!

Have you traveled solo? How has been your experience. If you haven’t, will you give it a try?

Linking this to the second edition of  BAR-A-THON by Blog-A-Rhythm

Theme – Seven

Day 2

barathon

48 Responses

  1. I don’t consider going on work trips travelling solo. I doubt I would enjoy going on a vacation alone: but you never know till you try, right?

    1. Though work trips are not strictly classified as solo travel trips, but I would consider it. That’s because, you are on your own, handling everything, everywhere and after work, you do go out and explore the city and let your hair down.
      Do try it out once, may be you will like the experience, Namratha.

  2. Oh its one of the most liberating feeling to be away form the rush rush of the itienaries, getting everyone ready, making sure they are fed and then carrying all the items for the day- I get exhausted on family trips. Solo ones are as you truly pointed out simply Liberating!!

    1. “I get exhausted on family trips”… I totally get that. We had once gone with 2 families and there was fussy child. While I empathized with the mother, but all the whining and devising strategies to make the kid eat got on my nerves.

    1. Oh yes, solo travel is truly liberating. It’s fantastic that you had a great experience, Natasha!

  3. I have travelled solo on work within the country; but there was always some one waiting to pick up and coordinate work for me. I have never taken a holiday on my own specially travelling a long distance, agree with what you say, but I would like to have at least a friend to share my thoughts 🙂 must try once 🙂

    1. Hope you get to make a solo trip sometimes soon, Genevive. I would love to hear your experiences 🙂

  4. I absolutely love solo trips. There was a time when I did it all too frequently but it has become less over time. And I totally agree with all the reasons you’ve cited here. Couldn’t help but nod along to all of them, Shilpa!

  5. I haven’t made it to a solo trip yet. Been scared to take that leap all my life. Plus I did not know many places. How do you know where to go in a certain place and how do you know someone isn’t taking advantage of you? It would be great if you could write a post for travel beginners. 🙂 This was very informative and inspiring 🙂

    1. Now you have given me an idea for a new post, Ranjini. I would love to share some thoughts for travel beginners.
      Thanks for sharing that and glad that you found this post informative and inspiring!

  6. It has many good points. But, women have to be extra careful when traveling alone, anywhere in the world, especially in India.

  7. Wonderful post, Shilpa! I so agree with those seven reasons to travel solo. I’ve enjoyed trips with the family but my solo trips are especially memorable as I grew in independence and learned a lot about myself from doing them. In 2009, I went to England by myself to visit writing friends. While I was often nervous on my own, I learned to be more assertive which isn’t something that comes naturally. I learned to be resilient and rely on myself which was so empowering. Thanks for reminding me. I’m due for another solo trip. Just traveled in Ireland and Scotland with the hubs and son so it was different from being alone but I did enjoy it.

    1. So wonderful to know your solo travel experience, Cathy. All the very best for your next solo trip. Do share your experiences and have a great time. Cheers!

  8. I took a trip recently with my friends but after reading this post, I again feel bitten by the travel bug! I haven’t taken a solo trip but I will for sure some day!

    Thanks!

    Cheers

  9. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I did a week in Italy all by myself and especially enjoyed the Gelato lunches with no one to comment. I saw what I wanted to see and did just as I pleased…. And it was empowering and confidence boosting as well .

    1. Aha! Eating and doing things that your heart desires without a care is so thrilling, isnt it! Glad that you had a great time traveling on your own, Sunita!

  10. These are such great pointers! I have never travelled truly solo, Yes, I have travelled with my infant and toddler alone, and then took a solo trip with friends but just going out all alone and staying in an unknown territory is not something I’ve done. Feels intimidating but liberating at the same time.

    1. They say, solo travel can be addictive because it changes you as a person in so many ways. Hope you do take some solo trips sometimes soon, Uma 🙂

  11. I am with you on this. I love to travel solo. And for the reasons you mentioned. It gives you more time to be on your own, to observe more, to be more confident and one feels closer to family.

    1. They say that solo travel is one of the best gift you can give to yourself! Glad that this post resonates with you, Rachna.

  12. The explanation in Reason 2 saw me nodding because this is what happens to me. My mind is seldom free from thoughts of chores related to D, what to order for him, how to get that down straight to his tummy. It seems like the warrior in me can never die. The only difference is this warrior does not cook while on holiday. Only once I travelled alone to US many years ago and I was terribly terribly nervous. All your points hold value but first I need to be convinced myself to be able to spend some solo time.

    1. Yes, freedom from cooking is a big one for me too. 😀
      True, first you need to believe in the concept, then only you can plunge into it 🙂

  13. I have travelled alone from college to home and all that when I was in college. But I haven’t vacationed solo. With VT, I haven’t felt if vacation is just a change of location but I get your point. It’s not the same for all women 🙂

    1. We are truly blessed, Parul. Touch wood. It’s the same with KG, but yes, have seen a lot many women doing all that they do at home, when on vacations too. 🙄

  14. This blog post resonates with me. I love to travel and do it mostly with others, however I took an opportunity to do a solo 10-day sail. It was extremely challenging and rewarding. It broke barriers for me and gave me the confidence to do more. I highly recommend it.

  15. Shilpa, you have listed all the reasons why I went on a solo trip last month to Ladakh 🙂 Solo travel changes you somehow, makes you more aware of life and its intricate ways. As you know, I went to Ladakh last month for 6 days and had a wonderful time at the ripe old age of 53 🙂

    1. It’s so fantastic that you solo travelled and that too to Ladakh. I am sure that this trip would have changed your perspective on so many things. It’s truly empowering. I will be checking out your travelogue soon… Been so busy and pulled in multiple directions.

  16. although it does get lonely at times, you really get to experience more and see more when you’re alone. you just do you and go at your own pace. I have a one-way ticket to the Philippines in November so I’m excited to see where I’ll end up!

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