“I think it’s very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person.”
– Oscar Wilde
Many ‘steady’ people can’t imagine themselves travelling on their own so they always take their friends with them, partners or join the organised group trips. Why? There are many reasons such as It’s scary! I don’t want to feel lonely! I need a buddy to have a beer with! Who would take pictures of me!? Nevertheless, travelling solo is getting more and more common as it can be a lot of fun and more unique experience for adventure hunters. It may sound paradoxical, but the more you explore the world outside, the more you explore the world within. Solo travel gives you free rein for the exploration of both the external and internal world.
Actually, the advantages of travelling solo are enormous.
1. You become self-sufficient
Traveling alone teaches you to be independent, be responsible and able to solve the problems with your own efforts. Self-sufficiency is an invaluable byproduct of solo travel.
2. You meet new people
Even if you didn’t plan making new encounters, you will be forced to talk to new people, no matter where you go, unless you will close up and spend 24/7 on your own. Otherwise, standing in the crowd among the same travelers creates a certain atmosphere pushing you to share emotions.
3. You become more easy-going
While traveling alone and meeting new people you naturally improve your conversational skills. You will be less scared to start the talk first and won’t be afraid to approach people and start the conversation.
4. You will learn feeling comfortable even if you are not
Traveling solo means you will never be in the comfort zone, as you are always influenced by such factors as excitement, adrenaline and adventure. But you know the saying, all cool things happen beyond your comfort zone.
5. You will become more flexible, free and spontaneous
This is the best part about traveling on your own. You are in charge of everything during your trip. There is no need to ask anybody else to stop for a coffee if you want. You just do it and that’s the pleasure of traveling by yourself.
6. You are able to put yourself first
This reason is connected with a previous one. Traveling on your own gives you a unique opportunity to do whatever you want, whenever you wish and follow your own desires and wishes.
7.You get to know yourself
When you have to do things on your own and spend time alone, getting to know yourself better is an inevitable side effect. You become more self-aware , but in a good way. You find out your habits, emotions, patterns and deep aspects of yourself.
8. The lone wolf aura
This term implies to people who are confident when they are alone in the new place. It is enigmatic feature which attracts the others.
9. It’s a pilgrimage
You are the main hero in your own movie. And a part of any hero’s journey is a form of pilgrimage.
We are all surrounded by people. We work with them, we socialize with them daily. We also need a break from them and traveling solo seems to be a perfect way to know yourself better, leave your comfort zone and go into the wild, get to know other people, hike, dance, learn to cook, smile, talk to strangers, eat new food and see the sunrise on the beach.
source: simplecapacity