Most people that travel the world solo is a little different than the girl next door. They have the feeling that there must be more to life than this! Whatever that might be.
I went on a year long solo-travel to explore the world and myself. This is what i found to be true for me.
1. Experience the world first hand
Traveling in a group often feels like being in a bubble with the other travelers. You experience things as a group in a distance. Being herded from one place to the next – not really taking in the adventure.
As a solo traveler, you get to experience more of the world first hand. You will feel and react as you – the real you. You are more aware of your surroundings and the people and places you visit. The experiences feels so much more authentic when you are mindfully present. You also get to know more locals and therefore get a deeper understanding of the cultural experience.
2. Making friends that are just like you
The desition to go solo travelling often comes after finding that there is no one to travel with.
Solo travelers often stay in hostels and other social accommodation and get to know new people on a daily basis. These people probably have many things in common with you. Chances are you will meet people that will be your friends and possibly travel friends forever.
3. Increases your self-confidence
Traveling solo, you have only one person to rely on – yourself. That means you have to get yourself out of situations along the way. Being alone- on the go- with only yourself to rely on- in unknown territory- with no safety net, will boost your self-confidence
4. Get to know yourself
Traveling with others you will have great friendship to share the adventures with, but traveling alone you might find yourself.
You might find what excites you, terrifies you, makes you cry and feel love. You might experience gratitude and friendships – solitude and excitement in ways you never did before. You may find your deepest values and have life-changing adventures in your suitcase coming home.
5. Leveling up your standard
If you are indecisive or often procrastinate, a solo journey could give you a push to level up your game to be more productive. Nobody wants to waste travel days and if you love traveling enough to go solo you will be creative to get as many adventures as possible given your time slot off work.
Bring this thinking back home and there is no goal to big to reach. Do what you got to do to get that goal.
6. You can change plans any time
Most people like to plan the vacation ahead leaving no room for spontaneous last minute changes. Whatever suits you best is the way to go when traveling solo.
Traveling alone gives you the freedom to do exactly what you want, whenever you feel like it – So if you Want to stay longer in a great place, or move on sooner!
Or, you want to go diving or sky-diving – Go ahead
7. Time to declutter your head
Traveling solo is a great space to sort out the clutter in your head. While you are away from the known surroundings and people. Get rid of the weed and organize your brain. It is a great space to do meditation, set goals and change old habits that keep us from leveling up.
Traveling solo also gives us the time we need to journal. Journaling is a great way to work through issues in our lives and put them behind us.
I spent a month in Bali starting the day at dawn with different Yoga classes before I went on adventures or spent the day working in a coworking place. It gave me clarity and filled me with gratitude every morning. An amazing start of the day for both the body and mind.
8. You will never be the same again
Traveling solo changes you in many ways. An important result of a solo trip is that you will learn to trust yourself – your ability to make desitions and your ability to handle whatever life throws at you.
You will develop growth and problem-solving mindsets that will help you move past the obstacles standing between you and your goals. You will also probably wish to travel solo again. Maybe even prefer it to travel with others.
