I've traveled with different types of people in my life—family, boyfriend, friends, backpackers, friends of family, strangers, and cheapskates—and the experience is different with each group. But I will always go back to my favorite travel buddy—myself. My best travel stories happened when I was by my lonesome self, trotting the globe with only my gut and one-piece luggage to keep me company. If you have yet to experience the joys of traveling alone, allow me to share my top eight reasons for booking a ticket for one.
You do what you want when you want it. There is no travel buddy or family member's special needs or tastes to consider when making decisions. No one outvotes you when it comes to choosing the next itinerary. You can be as selfish and self-centered as you want. You even have the bathroom all to yourself!
There is no parent or responsible older friend to rely on for planning and decision-making. You become your own boss, bodyguard, nanny, navigator, and nurse. You polish your ability to make contingency plans and key decisions. You learn to trust your gut and go with your instincts.
When traveling with a buddy or groups, you get preoccupied with chatting, planning, and even arguing in between destinations. You tend to become so engrossed with your group that you don't notice the little things, like the beautiful scenery on the train en route to your next spot. Solo travelers get to absorb everything and stop and smell the flowers, as they say.
I don't know about you, but I hate being treated like a gullible tourist. I like being able to blend in with the locals. When you travel alone, you become more curious and dynamic in your new environment. You learn about the place and interact with the locals on a deeper level instead of falling for the usual tourist spots.
Being a solo traveler may sound lonely, but it's actually the time the world opens your doors to new friends, experiences and adventures that you never would have had if you stuck to a group. From conversing with a complete stranger to getting invited to a random party, the possibilities are endless. I know people who met their best friends and partners while traveling alone.
Cliché, yes, but there's a reason why workaday people go on self-imposed sabbaticals. Going out of your comfort zone and getting into challenging situations and new environments make you figure out what you really want and who your really are. Solo travel molds you as a person in ways that your school or office cubicle cannot provide.
I have so many wonderful stories of friends who discovered new passions and careers while traveling alone. If you think you've seen it all or have already figured out what you'll be doing for the rest of your life, try booking a solo ticket to a place you've never been to and see if you come back the same person.
Ever noticed that people who have just returned from amazing trips exude a positive and inspiring radiance? It's as if their adventures and experiences injected a triple shot of happiness into their bloodstream that lasts for weeks and even months. Lone traveling has that effect, and when the glow wears off, all you have do is travel again.