Ten years ago, when I’m still in my 20s, if someone asked me to travel alone by myself to a foreign land, I would have said no immediately and throw that idea out of the window. Now that, I’ve travelled solo by myself, I could not get enough of it and will be planning another independent trip again.
Sure, the uncertainty and discomfort of being in a new place all by yourself is nerve-wrecking.
However, once you took the first step and just YOLO it, you’ll find that it is one of the best things that you could do for yourself.
Below are some of the best experiences I encountered while travelling by myself:
I only need to plan for myself
To be honest, I do have friends and family members that too love travelling and they’d asked me when should we go to this place or that country again. And I would be more than happy to go with them.
However, when it comes to the actual planning for the trip, there would be so many factors and constraints to consider.
The schedule for the trip, what works out for you may not work out for them. My friends and loved ones are all working adults, have their own families and kids, with busy schedules. To commit to the same dates for a trip would sometimes prove extremely challenging and even impossible. Going by myself means I could choose the best time to go for the trip.
I am free to go wherever I want and when I want
All of us have unique interests and preferences. If I travelled to a foreign land, I would like to visit the different historical buildings, explore and trek in the wild nature, understand and appreciate the new culture etc. I love carnivals, museums, conventions and so on. I’d prefer to taste the local cuisine and move around like the locals.
However, I have friends that would just prefer to stay in the malls and fancy restaurants all day long. So, as you can see, our interests are totally different. Travelling by myself means I do not have to compromise on anything. Everything would be based on my own preferences and timing. I could take all the time I want to explore and appreciate the things I like.
Meeting new people
If I went in a group, I would usually stick with my group-mates instead. Travelling solo really does open up the barriers to meet and talk with new people. I have met a few friends during my trip (also solo travelers), and it’s amazing to hear their experiences.
I remembered sharing a room with two other girls in the hostel and they were such nice people. We’d share our experiences each night and when it’s time to part ways, we hugged and said we’d missed each other. I couldn’t get that type of experience if I were to travel in a group.
I'd learn to be more self-confident and independent
Being a sheltered kid and always the "shy" and "quiet" one, being by myself on this trip also means I'd be more independent. I'm now in charge of everything. I made the first move to approach people, talked with them, seek their advice and opinions, sometimes exchanging contacts. It becomes second nature to just talk with strangers, something which I'd usually never do.
I could make last minute changes easily
I'd remembered when I'd missed a timing for a certain event, and I'd have to make other arrangements. Being only me, I could just make these changes easily. I could make impromptu decisions and just decided to go somewhere else at the very last minute, just because I'd feel like it and I can. There are a number of items in my itinerary which are totally unplanned. I couldn't afford that same luxury if I'm in a group.
To rejuvenate and give myself some breathing space
The first time I decided to go on a trip by myself was because I wanted to get away. I'd just ended a relationship and was feeling really low. I need to get out, do something or else I'd go mad. Even I was tired and sick of myself for moping around and crying so much.
Going by myself gives me the breathing space I need, to think and to refocus my values, and to get over myself. It provides a platform so that I could see there's so much things to do and learn in the world, instead of focusing on myself.
I came back feeling better and with a renewed purpose.
Therefore, on an ending note, I highly recommend for everyone to at least try taking a solo trip once in their lifetime. It's an interesting and satisfying experience, definitely one which I'd have no regrets doing and would continue to do so.
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