I feel like we don't talk about the beauty of solo travel enough. Enough in this case is the beauty pitted against the ugly which generally gets more attention. Try googling solo travel and take note of what pops up. I am glad that in the recent past, search engines present more of the beauty than before. Most searches, unless that is tied to my algorithm, tend to focus on the beauty which includes majorly the lessons learnt from solo travels among other elements. I am sure glad it’s less of dangers of solo (particularly female) travels. Now this does not in any way mean that the dangers do not exist and that there is no ugly. Of course necessary precautions have to be taken and especially when travelling solo. A dedicated post is coming soon on the ugly side of solo travel.
This post is meant to hail the beauty of solo travel in all its glory. So without further ado, here are beauties we need to acknowledge more and I hope they serve as good reasons why you should take that solo trip if you haven't already.
Planning is hard to eliminate in any form of travel but with solo trips there’s a lot less to work with. For a successful group trip the needs of all parties involved have to be factored into every plan i.e. Does so and so hate window/ isle seats? Would …… be comfortable in a bed that’s not queen size? Would…. be comfortable eating at a shabby joint to cut costs? Do you reckon ……..’s leave will be approved ? .…… has exams next week so maybe we should postpone this trip. It goes on. We all know there are many trips that have been canceled for want of cohesion or even worse last minute withdrawals once everything is set. That you only have to consider your interests (as selfish as that sounds) makes it way more easier to plan and even better, to execute.
This is more like the previous point. Considering you can just up and go and while gone you do not have to cross check with others what works for them you can easily shift gears, ply different routes. You can easily take random trips in the middle of the week, month or year. You can join people heading East when you were initially heading West and you only need to be accountable to yourself. Your impulsive tendencies can come out to play with no judgment or backlash.
Making choices doesn’t get easier in travel than when on a solo trip. When to leave, whether to take a detour, whether to switch routes; when to return home or whether to stay for longer/forever. What to eat/ when to stop or whether to alight in the middle of nowhere. It’s all your choice and that it doesn’t affect another traveller, even better. Besides, it’s a perfect opportunity to put yourself first.
These advantages are starting to seem more similar than I initially thought they would but so the beauty sinks in I’ll just keep going. Independence in solo travel goes as far as snoozing at your own peril. The risk of missing a sunrise or a bus/train/flight is all on you.
All losses are on you but so are the wins like making it up a summit in time for a sunset. Anything you set out to do is entirely up to your efforts to see it through and you can neither be blamed nor blame others for it not happening.
Another aspect of independence applies to bills and general expenditure. On what and how much you spend is all on you. You therefore need to be savvy with your monies before you splurge because on the other hand independence means you might not have anyone to save you should need arise for extra money. That there is no dependence on others also means you are on your own on everything else unless of course you can reach your people or you find kind and generous humans. I won’t expound further on this lest it makes you reconsider going solo.
In this context I mean literal open mindedness although it does not mean that in a group one wouldn’t be open minded. On a trip with friend(s) you are likely to carry along tales from your daily routines i.e. work talk, relationship talk and stuff you already know about and are merely catching up on. If solo, save for the thoughts in your head most encounters with people are likely to be as fresh as it gets. From finding out people’s names to where they are from where they are headed. Perhaps I should get a better term for this? But you get the point right.
Seems misplaced? I know. And while I will list it on the ugly side of solo travel post, I tend to think there is a positive angle to it. There’s often a protective sense that group travels offer as the old adage affirms; there’s safety in numbers and indeed there is. That being said solo travels are not always an opportunity for danger to present itself. When any form of danger or the risk of it is present our vulnerabilities tend to be exposed.
Your vulnerabilities will force you to get in touch with and face your fears. It also exposes you to certain challenges that could easily be countered in a group. They might even point out to you privileges you might have otherwise never considered for instance having a constant supply of food and water.
While this is achievable in any other form of travel, solo trips take travel therapy to a whole new level. Existing in the moments with mostly, just yourself to think about is blissful. There’s less room for worry about the next person’s wellbeing as far as the trip is concerned. i.e. Are they having as much fun/ Are they bored? Just remember to leave your worries at home when you leave to experience the full potential of inner peace that comes with solo travels.
Also chances of group travel dramas are eliminated because who are you going to get dramatic with? I am drawing majorly from those Rich Housewives girl trips on this one because I have no personal experiences with vacay drama. But if that is a representation of possibilities then solo trips are a sure way of getting drama free travels.
It is easier to make new friends you are not enclosed/encapsulated in your usual friendship bubble. If you bring your own company, chances are lower that you’d be on the lookout for company let alone be more open and approachable. Even when taking the solo trip with a group of strangers one is more likely to be interactive if alone instead of sticking with your usual friends throughout the trip.
You know that loud voice that keeps repeating to you how much of a bad idea something is? I am not talking about the one in your head. That overly-cautious friend of yours whose warnings are always all out of love. Or that, for lack of sugar to coat this with, killjoy friend who you love so much but your interests and approaches never seem to align especially when it comes to adventure. With a solo trip, both friends can worry from a distance without getting to your head in the heat of the moment. Once you manage to quite the voices in your head, you can bungee off that cliff or do whatever it is without other people’s hearts leaping into their mouths at the cost of your thrills.
If there’s a word to sum all this up freedom would be it. Solo travel frees your body, mind and soul. Having gone on about the other advantages of solo travel I don’t think it’s necessary to expound on this. When it comes to travel, solo is the epitome of freedom.
Note: Group for purposes of this post includes couples and this post is not anyway meant to bash any other form of travel. The goal is to encourage travel whether solo or not. If there’s a tinge that seems a bit selfish just remember SELF is an integral part of solo travels. This does not however mean inconsiderateness as I think being considerate and mindful are universal in whichever circumstances. Therefore, as a good traveller(solo or not) be mindful: Of others- those taking the trip with you if in a group/ fellow travellers if using public transportation; Of the environment and this cannot be overstated (It is actions as simple as not littering); Of animals if your trip involves a safari of sorts (Don’t provoke or harm them in any way); Of the communities and the culture (Leave it to them to guide you as you will come and go while most traditions go way back); and of yourself and the space you occupy on this planet.
