Pro's of Traveling Solo
I get it, traveling by yourself can seem intimidating!
You don’t know anyone in this new city, you probably don’t know the language, and you might be unsure of yourself. But I can PROMISE you there are many upsides to being a solo traveler. And what better way to be an empowered female in todays society than to be able to take on anything, especially in a foreign country??
Below are just a couple of my top reasons to travel alone:
No wait at restaurants you want to try
I know, what a weird one to start with. BUT typically when you land in your new city, the first thing besides going to your accommodation will be to find food. I typically eat at the counter because you get served quicker & because you can get good tips on where to go from your local bartender. If you are weird about sitting at the bar or are worried about “creeps” ( honestly I’ve met the most interesting people at the bar but I get it! ), then you can usually ask for a corner table so you don’t feel like EVERYONE is watching you.
I understand this is a hard one- I used to DREAD eating alone.
I would usually order room service, or just grab something convenient from a cafe along the streets to eat on the go or in my hotel room. But one night in Austria, I went down to the hotel restaurant on a quiet night & sat at a table and brought my safety blanket (aka a book). But immediately after ordering my food and thinking I’d retreat into my book, another couple came up and asked me a question in German. They thought I was a local! After that, I got more comfortable with eating alone in public.
So I encourage you, if you are eating alone don’t be the one your phone. Look up, people watch, take in the surroundings and different culture. Be present & in the moment and ENJOY. THAT. FOOD.
You can do EXACTLY what you want to do
No more compromising your trip so your boyfriend can go to that soccer arena you couldn’t care less about & none of him groaning about going to see yet another painting by Monet (not speaking from personal experience or anything…..lol). This is your time to be selfish and do what you want, when you want to do it. Matcha making class in Japan? Do it. Sing-along bike tour in Austria? I’ve done it. And it’s as touristy and amazing as you might imagine. Also it’s totally judge free! Let’s say you traveled to a beautiful destination and all you want to do is sleep until noon then go explore? You do you, no one is going to tell you how to vacation.
You get out of your comfort zone
Just like going to a restaurant by yourself, or joining a group tour, solo travel pushes you to try new things you wouldn’t normally do in your home city.
You become more open minded & aware of your surroundings
When I travel alone, I find myself learning along the way. Whether it’s about the local culture, the history, the food, or the scenic landscape….I’m always looking around instead of looking down at my phone. I usually have done so much research about the place I am going, that I want to absorb as much knowledge as I can about it.
You make new friends along the way
Just during my last trip to San Diego, I went on a sunset sailing group cruise as a single gal. On this cruise, there was a family with two girls in their mid 20’s, like me. We ended up chatting the whole time, and made plans to meet up the following night. Had I been traveling with a group of friends or a significant other or family, I’d probably never gotten to know them! Luckily, in todays world of social media, I’ve been able to keep up with people I’ve met from China, Australia, Austria, Italy, and now within the US!
You become more confident
Doing all these things that push you out of your comfort zone & require you to make your own decisions leads to being more confident. By traveling alone you prove to yourself how much more you are capable of.
Not only do you find yourself more confident, but continue to gain confidence in knowing who you are. Solo travel is almost therapeutic to me now because each time I go, I discover something else new about myself. I get time to reflect internally, to pray. I truly feel like I’m able to listen to God better, no matter how busy the tourists streets get. It’s a freeing feeling and I love that each new city I get to bring a little piece of it back with me.
Still not sure?
Solo travel doesn’t have to mean going on a week long international trip by yourself! It could be as simple as adventuring to the next town over to explore for the day, or going to a city to visit a friend and spending the day roaming by yourself. Or maybe you are like my old roommate and enjoy solo Disney trips. I for one just became a Passholder and am loving the days I go to the park by myself. Do what works for you!
Have you ever traveled alone? What are your own reflections on solo travel?
