Many people are scared to travel solo not from the lack of companionship but because they think that it would be too lonely, sad or even dangerous. However, every solo traveller knows that they couldn’t be more wrong. Because what travelling alone teaches you, is seeing the life from a different perspective.
Updated: 15th February 2021
There is a huge difference between going alone and being lonely. Travelling alone opens your mind, your eyes, as well as your heart.
Indeed, travelling solo can result in a far more rewarding life experience. You will have instances where you wish you could stop time and stay at that moment for the rest of your life.
Travelling alone teaches you the important life lesson of how to enjoy every second and not to take a single moment for granted as well as how to be alone without feeling lonely.
This is what travelling alone teaches you:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1, Always Believe in Yourself
Solo travel teaches you to rely on your own knowledge, skills and personality. Every single step you do during your trip depends entirely on you.
You may be faced with situations where you think you are out of your breath. There will be obstacles, misunderstandings and other challenges you must overcome. But you are already strong enough because you’ve already found the courage to go solo!
Most people will never have the courage to travel alone. On the other hand, they would be terrified! If you’ve already completed the first step of deciding to wander the world alone then taking the plunge is easy!
Don’t listen to anyone saying you can’t do it – your friends, family or especially the ant inner doubts – you will do better than anyone expects! Get your backpack and go to study your soul, reach the sky and humble your fears. Find the ground and believe in yourself. You will never ever hesitate!
How My First Solo Travel Boosted My Self-Confidence!
My first solo travel was actually an accident. I was supposed to meet up with somebody else, but this person had never arrived. I have to admit that the first few hours were pretty depressing.
Me, a girl all alone in an unknown town. I thought this is sad, this is something what shouldn’t have ever happened. What a terrible trip this will be! You know what? It was amazing!
I realized I can have fun on my own, I can enjoy the food, the drinks, the place, the people, the history, the culture, the vibrancy without anyone else. I am the best companion for myself!
Furthermore, I overcame my shy side and I got to know some pretty interesting people. I explored the town and met locals on my own. All this made me certain that I can do the next solo trip completely on my own again! Because I finally started to believe in myself.
2, Always Believe in Your Dreams
Travelling alone teaches you to focus on your goals, believe in your dreams and take actions to make them happen. Write your travel goals down on a piece of paper, stick it onto your wardrobe, wall or door, and look at it every single day.
You don’t even have to think about how exactly you are going to make it. You will find a way to get to your dream destination eventually. It’s happened for me and not only once.
When travelling alone I spend the time daydreaming of where to go next. The places I am in can inspire me so much that I always come home with a new dream and mission to complete. I love it guys, and you will love it too!
3, Enjoy Every Here and Now
You will never be younger, and you will never experience the same moment again. Don’t waste your time, set up the goals and meet them.
Plan and use every single second of your trip. Don’t confuse planning with boredom! Scheduling doesn’t mean you have to skip on spontaneity.
When you plan ahead on what you want to see, you avoid wasting the time hesitating or just walking purposelessly around. Know your targets and try to meet them – you’ll soon see that the time for crazy, unplanned stuff will always come along.
Take your time, be focused on details, and step aside from shallow exploring. The most beautiful memories are those which are carved into you after you experience things to their fullest.
The more and deeper you delve the more you will experience from that moment and the more vibrant memory you will always have. Your brain and soul are the best cameras you will ever have. Sometimes it is not the scene but the feeling that you remember.
4, Be Open to Meeting New People
Have you ever thought about how many interesting people you may never meet in your life? How many of them you couldn’t meet just because you were too focused on your travel companions? I know that going with friends can be great fun but going on your own is enjoyable too!
Therefore, when you travel alone you are more open to meeting new people, and you can find other lone wolves having their own adventures. Those people might come from absolutely different cultures or distinct backgrounds, and they can introduce you to a new perspective of opinions and beliefs.
Stay open to random people appearing and disappearing during your journey. They can bring you wisdom, or they can cheer you up.
Travelling alone teaches you to discover new opinions and views on life you’ve never considered. Be open to everyone and listen to what they have to say.
Meeting new people can also introduce you to new travelling destinations you never thought about. You can visit each other in your home countries and explore parts of the globe you wouldn’t have known existed if you hadn’t taken the time to meet them.
How I Met People on My First Solo Travel
On my first unplanned solo trip I met some really nice and helpful people with their own amazing backstories. This wouldn’t have happened if the person I supposed to meet there had arrived. I would have probably spent all the time just with him/her.
I would have lost the opportunity to hang out with the guys I did. They spoke Spanish only and I spoked English. We used legs, hands, fingers and face expressions to communicate – it was like playing charades!
Despite of this it was an awesome unforgettable night! They took me to a roof party in the center of Valencia with amazing views to all over the city. I am pretty sure I would have never ended up there.
The next day I hung out with a group of solo travellers from USA, Australia, and England. The third day I bumped into Spanish and German guys to enjoy some beach time and explore some rural tapas places! I met so many people in only three days! As I said, ‘alone’ doesn’t mean lonely.
5, Fear is Just in Your Mind
People usually don’t regret doing something, they only regret not doing the things they wanted! There isn’t probably a better recipe to overcome the fear than to face the activity you’re afraid of itself.
If you’re dreaming about a faraway getaway, but you struggle to find a companion, and you’re afraid of travelling alone, just travel alone! You’ll later find out that solo travel isn’t a thing to be scared about. You can rely on yourself, your guts and wise planning and decisions made.
Later you’ll be laughing on the ‘chicken’ you were, and you’ll be so proud of the new brave yourself.
Find the Power and Courage Inside You
Travelling alone teaches you how to be fearless and brave.
You won’t have any of the comforts of sharing the travel responsibilities. No-one holds the map for you, no-one asks strangers for the directions. When you get lost there is no-one to find the way back for you.
When your first plan screw-ups nobody comes up with an alternative. Yes, you will be scared, and you will face your fears when browsing the world alone.
Later you’ll understand that the fear is only in your head. You’ll overcome the anxiety and will never be afraid of anything again.
Photo: magdeleine.co, pexels.com
I like this article. My first solo Trip were exactly like yours, I was supposed to fly with 3 friends to the Domenican Republic and ended up flying alone. This was 22 years ago… still one of my best trips. I like your website!
Hey Heiko!
I am very happy you liked the article and even happier that you shared your first solo travel experience with me and wesolotravel readers. Yeah exactly, unexpected trip circumstances can turn out in the best possible way! 🙂