5 Reasons Why You Should Solo Travel
Almost 30 solo trip in Tel Aviv, Israel
Life isn’t about the destination, it’s about the people you’re with. But sometimes the destination is much better by yourself. When you start loving yourself and becoming completely comfortable in your own skin, you become your best company (and sometimes your more preferred company).
Solo travel has expanded my consciousness to levels I’ve never thought possible. Looking out of the airplane window waiting to explore unfamiliar places with unfamiliar faces is a feeling that every person should experience at least once in their lifetime. Here are 5 reasons why your next trip should be a solo trip.
1) Travel on Your Own Schedule
Sometimes traveling with others is stressful; scheduling activities to satisfy the entire group and cooperating with loved ones who have different interests. When you solo travel the world is yours. You can wake up whenever you want and do whatever you please. So take your damn time at a museum you’ve been dying to go to and wait on an unreasonable 2 hour line at the best restaurant in town.
Tokyo ramen quest complete - waited on a 2 hour line at the popular ramen joint ‘Ichiran’
2) Meet New Friends
I normally stay in my bubble when traveling with family, friends, or Mikey. But when I’m traveling solo, I’m my friendliest self. Sometimes I purposely extend conversations since it’s a relief to talk to people other than myself. I’ve met some of the best human beings while traveling alone. The connection is instant with like-minded travelers (I mean, how many people are crazy enough to do what we’re doing?). Conversations with international travelers have much more substance - less gossiping and more stories about worldly subjects and experiences that matter.
Friends who became family after spending a month at Ayur-Yoga Eco Ashram in India
3) Meet More Locals
Before every solo trip, Americans love to scare and warn me be about evil monsters who eat solo travelers for breakfast (even though I’m already a New Yorker with trust issues who usually has pepper spray in her travel bag). Solo travel has broken my guard down immensely. You’ll find that people are more willing to help you when you’re alone - whether you’re lost or need help translating a menu. Locals have treated me more like family than I would’ve ever expected while watching American news. Plus locals abroad love practicing English and are always curious to why a young Filipino-American girl is traveling solo in a small town in, for instance, Sicily. Locals are just as curious as travelers, and you’ll learn quickly that we’re all more similar than we are different.
Visited a Japanese tea farm owned by the friendly Kinezuka family
4) Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Solo travel will push your limits and force you to say “f*** it”. You have the choice to be those meek travelers with headphones on in the corner of the hostel lobby or be those who truly challenge their boundaries. You can reinvent yourself while solo traveling and be whoever your heart desires. So if you want to overcome your fear of heights, try hang-gliding in Brazil. If you’re normally anti-social, join the local pub crawl with your hostel. You’ll be surprised at how comfortable you feel when you get out of your comfort zone.
Women “caryatid statues” at the Acropolis during my first solo trip in Athens, Greece
5) Self Care
Solo travel has become an obligatory yearly activity for me for this main reason: self care. Whether it’s splurging on a luxury hotel or sleeping in the entire morning, it’s so important to take time out of your busy life to treat yourself. This is obviously easier for single 20-something year olds who live at home with no kids, but if you care that much about yourself you will make self care happen. Solo travel refreshes your soul and connects you more to your true self. From my experience it has made me a better friend, girlfriend, daughter, yoga instructor, travel blogger, marketing professional - whatever label it is, a better version of myself.
Treated myself to a lux hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel
Solo Valentine’s Day in India
What are you waiting for? If you’re constantly waiting on your friends to agree on a date or waiting for your significant other to accrue PTO, go on your own! Expand your horizons and spend time with the most important person in your life, yourself.
Why do you solo-travel? For first time solo travelers feel free to contact us for recommendations and advice. More tips below!
