6 Reasons Why You Should Travel Alone
Travelling is a part of everyone’s lives. We travel every day to our
work, to buy stuff, to pay bills, to pick up our kids, etc. We also travel
whenever we want to see our friends or anyone important in our lives.
Travelling is also a reward for a hard day’s work; we plan to travel
either locally or overseas, but 98% of the time, travelling is for the entire
family or a group. Very seldom we travel alone for pleasure.
I am sure one way or the other, someone has read an article, a blog, a
documentary or a video in YouTube of how awesome it is to travel alone, and how
we wished we can do that.
Worry not, it is never too late, nothing is too late so long you have
the drive and desire to do it. Preparation and Research
is the key.
Below are the EXPERIENCES you will get when travelling alone as shared
by lone backpackers who had travelled, and still are, the 4 corners of the
Earth.
1. You will meet amazing people.
Travelling with friends or a significant other can be a lot of fun, but travelling
alone for a certain amount of time can prove to be one of the most rewarding
things you’ll ever do because of the great people you’ll meet. When we travel
with friends or a partner, we tend to stick to that little group of familiar
faces and even though you’ll meet new people, the dynamics and interactions
won’t be as deep and fulfilling. While you’re on your own on the road, you’re
much more eager to meet travel buddies, team up with other travellers and
generally reach out more in order to socialize.
2. The overwhelming sense of absolute freedom.
When you travel alone and starts meeting people and making friends,
you’ll probably team up with travel buddies and end up expanding your travel
plans. You’ll probably change your plans once you hear about those amazing
waterfalls, that incredible desert beach, the opportunity to bungee jump from a
high bridge, or taste a special delicacy you’ll only find off the beaten track.
When you’re travelling, you’re open to changes and you’ll welcome it with open
arms. The great thing is that you don’t have to fit into a group’s agenda, give
explanations or disappoint anyone; you can follow your rhythm, desires and move
freely like the wind.
3. Travelling alone
challenges your fears and insecurities
This is a big one, especially if it’s your first solo experience. “What
if something goes wrong?” “What if you get into trouble?” This is normal and
perfectly human; fear exists for our own protection and boosts our awareness.
But we shouldn’t let it control our lives. Safety can be a great comfort, but
common sense is the key. Read and research a lot before you travel, check out
hostel reviews, and research feedback from other travellers in forums and
blogs. Respect the local culture and you’ll be fine.
4. You can take the
time to nurture yourself.
If you have a stressful life back home, either studying hard or working
too much, travelling on your own can be the time to take some time off and
nurture yourself. Whether you’re a backpacker travelling cheap or if the sky is
the limit as far as your budget goes, you can use this time to pamper yourself.
Indulge in rich and delicious local meals which will boost your energy and
health, take long walks on the beach by sunrise, or get a massage. Do some yoga
and relax a lot. Enjoy all the wonderful things you deserve, and understand
that happiness is a birthright, not a privilege.
5. You’ll have a
chance to recreate yourself and be who you want to be.
While travelling solo, you can leave your grumpy, tired old self behind
and start to be a new you. Explore parts of your personality you are not very
comfortable or familiar with. When on the road, you might be challenged by
unexpected factors and be positively surprised how well you respond to them.
Empower yourself by unleashing the wonderful, irresistible and intelligent
person you are, but whom you’ve neglected in your everyday routine.
6. You can finally
take time to leave everything else behind.
Just disconnect from the world for a while. Turn off your mobile; “forget”
to check your emails for a few days, don’t think about the bills, the
responsibilities, the duties and problems. Leave them behind. Some of the most
intense creative times or the ones where we find the solutions for all our
problems are actually the moments when we disconnect and stop worrying. Have
you ever tried to remember a name or a date and you just can’t spit it out, but
after you quit trying it pops out? It’s the same for the rest of life.
Sometimes our brains need to get rid of old thoughts in order to be able to
create space for new ones, better ones. So just disconnect yourself from
everything and you might be amazed by how fresh you’ll feel once you get back
home.
Travelling alone is awesome in so many angles. A sense of freedom,
spontaneity, responsibility and fulfillment is best felt when travelling alone.
Although, there are some who prefers to travel with a group or with
someone out of fear, at least one point in time, everyone should experience
travelling alone.
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