It’s been quite a year hasn’t it? I think we’re all feeling antsy to start living life again, but at the same time, feeling stuck in the stay-at-home mindset that’s been forced upon us for so long. Now more than ever, we have to actively choose to get out of our comfort zones. Traveling solo is the perfect way to get back into the world and manifest positive vibes for the future.
If you’re looking to have a life-changing experience after months of being stuck at home, or maybe you’ve always been curious about solo travel, then you’ve come to the right place! I’m going to share the top 10 lessons I’ve learned during my time traveling solo in the hopes that I inspire you to do the same.
On each of my solo trips, I’ve learned so much about myself that was only possible because I put myself into a new situation. So let’s get into it!
1. I can become friends with a stranger.
One of the toughest things about growing up and “adulting” is how hard it can be to make new friends. Everyone’s busy and has their own life… the struggle is actually real. Maybe you even think something’s wrong with you if you’re not making close connections very often.
When you travel solo, you might be afraid of being alone the whole time. Or you might think it’ll be hard to make friends because it’s hard to make friends “in real life.”
But I’m here to tell you that my solo trips have been my most social trips! I’ve made friends with complete strangers and then spent the whole day with them, talking and laughing and having a great time. And some of these friendships have lasted beyond travel, too 🙂 You will be surprised by how easy it is to make friends when traveling solo, especially if you stay in a hostel. It’s such a confidence booster and special thing to experience.
2. I can be a social butterfly.
One of the limiting beliefs I had about myself was that I was introverted and shy to the point of awkwardness. I was reserved and didn’t talk much to people I didn’t know well. But then I traveled solo and stepped away from people who put those negative thoughts in my ear. And I was amazed by what I found.
For me, I found I could comfortably strike up a conversation with anyone. And that I was open to people striking up a conversation with me. I have the fondest memories of these interactions, and the confidence they inspired is something I carry with me to this day. Here’s my best tip, simple as it may be: a smile goes a long way.
Traveling solo is the perfect way to test some limiting beliefs you might have and change your life for the better. I think you’ll be surprised to find how capable you are, whether that comes to socializing or problem solving.
3. I can say yes to crazy experiences.
I have stories from my solo trips that I couldn’t have come up with if I tried–they’re that unique and unexpected. It feels good to access your spontaneous side and take risks, and solo travel gives you plenty of opportunities to do so. Of course, always be safe and make good decisions, but just be a little more open-minded than usual.
4. I can drive on the left side of the road.
This may seem basic at first glance, but it actually really changed things for me. Before my solo trip to Turks and Caicos, I had never driven a car on the left side of the road. But that trip forced me to do so, and I’m so glad. I learned a new skill that’s literally opened up my world. Now I feel like I can plan a road trip anywhere and get off the beaten path more (whereas before I would have avoided certain places due to not feeling comfortable driving).
5. I’m better with directions and navigating than I give myself credit for.
Traveling solo forces you to learn some practical skills instead of pawning them off on someone else. Just like learning how to drive on the left side of the road, I’ve also gained confidence when it comes to directions.
I get turned around easily and rely on Google Maps too much, so when I traveled solo, I challenged myself to pay attention more. I found that after about a day of relying on my phone to get around, I could comfortably navigate at least the basics just from memory (like how to get to my hostel or the closest grocery store or train station). It was a huge win for me!
Going on a solo trip is the perfect situation to try out a new skill. If you mess up, no one’s with you to notice! It also forces you to pay attention and be present in a way that really isn’t required in your day-to-day life back home, where you can exist on auto pilot. It feels so good to be living in the moment (it’s like getting the benefits of meditation without having to meditate lol).
6. I’m strong, physically and emotionally.
As I embarked on my first solo trip, I wasn’t feeling my best. I was shaken by recent life events, unsure of my future and unsure of myself. I honestly didn’t know how I’d manage being alone in a foreign country, but something told me to go on that journey. I had such an amazing time that I immediately started to plan a second solo trip.
There’s a popular travel quote that you’ve probably heard before: “Not all who wander are lost.” This implies that many who travel are doing it as a distraction. Travel can be seen as a way of running away from life or problems, but that’s never been my experience with solo travel (you’re spending so much one-on-one time with yourself with nowhere to hide). Solo travel always brings me closer to myself and lets me explore versions of myself that I want to be.
You will find that you are more emotionally strong than you think. And physically strong too… you’ll be carrying luggage around by yourself, walking a lot, and signing up for new experiences like ziplining or surfing to name a few examples. I know you’ll be reminded of your strength and resilience.
7. I can handle things going wrong.
Out of the 2 months I’ve spent traveling solo, I have cried zero times haha. And it hasn’t all been sunshine and life-changing revelations– things have definitely gone wrong.
Solo travel will solidify that you can handle the challenging moments in life. That you’ve got your back. It’s very empowering and something you can take home with you to tap into when things get tough.
8. I enjoy my own company.
This is such an important lesson to learn despite being a bit morbid. We come into this world alone and ultimately have to die alone. Everyone will leave you in some way throughout life–you’re the only constant. So love yourself! It’s better to learn this sooner rather than later, and traveling solo gives you a chance to be alone and see how it feels to enjoy your own company. You are enough.
9. I’m allowed to do nothing.
I feel like life in the States is such a rat race. It’s normal to work more than 40 hours per week, get minimal vacation time, and have a side hustle. There’s this feeling that we have to be efficient at all times, constantly producing something that will make us money.
When you travel solo, you really do get a break. You can give yourself permission to do nothing (especially since you have no one with you to have to ask their permission).
Do you want to order room service and lay in bed watching Netflix? Do you want to spend 4 hours drinking a coffee, people watching, and reading a book? You get to make all the decisions, and I highly recommend leaving yourself some time to unwind and even be bored. You’ll leave feeling truly rested and recharged.
10. It’s ok to put myself first.
This is more for the ladies out there. I feel like as women, whether it’s in our nature or a cultural thing, we are used to catering to others. There’s an expectation to be selfless that doesn’t extend to men. What does my friend/partner/child/coworker want to do? What do they need? What can I do to help them? What do they like? What would make them happy? What does society expect of me?
I was almost shocked on my first solo trip when I realized I literally had only myself to think about. It honestly took me some time to figure out what I wanted to do because I wanted to. Not because it’s something I used to do with a partner. Not because it’s what I would do with friends. I was mindful of every decision I made and spent my precious time doing things that made me feel like me.
You’ll get to dive deeper into your interests and what makes you happy while traveling solo. Discovering yourself is so good for the soul. I bet this will be one of the biggest highlights of your trip!
Bonus: The world is a good place full of good people.
It’s hard to remember the good in the world when all we see on the news is bad. And then add being stuck at home for over a year because of a global pandemic. It’s a lot. I turn to memories from my solo travels quite frequently, when I feel I need a reminder that things aren’t as bleak as they seem.
I know you will be touched by the warmth of others when you take your own solo trip. You’ll have someone go out of their way to help you. You’ll share smiles and stories. You’ll realize that we’re all human, with similar hopes and struggles, just doing our best. You will experience kindness and have kindness inspired in you.
Here are my blog posts from the 3 solo trips I’ve taken if you’d like to read more:
Solo Female Travel in Turks and Caicos
Solo Female Travel in Western Europe
Thanks for reading! Please share on Facebook or Pinterest if you found this helpful or inspirational. And if you want more specific examples from my solo trips, you can reach me via email (contact info is on the “Work With Me” page) or you can send me a message on Instagram! I look forward to hearing from you and chatting about solo travel 🙂
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