If you’ve been in the CGS Community for some time now, you know we’re all about leveling up our travel game (within budget, of course). Well, how about traveling solo? There are plenty of reasons why you should travel solo!
I don’t know about you, but there have been times when girls’ trip plans would fall through (money, scheduling, etc.) or you were in a season of singleness and didn’t have a travel partner (me for years haha)…sometimes it’s better to take the journey solo than waiting for someone, and that’s okay!
I’ve taken a few solo trips, and have done solo excursions while on a trip of some sort, and let me just say this…there is nothing like it! In fact, I prefer to travel solo because I have the best time and I think I’m great company haha! Therefore, I’m going to share with you 5 reasons you should travel solo and I’ll even share examples from my solo travels.
5 Reasons Why You Should Travel Solo
#1 Freedom to Plan YOUR Vacation!
I’m going to start with my favorite reason and it’s all about freedom! You can plan your vacation and all the things that you want to do without having differing opinions, arguments, no compromises, no picky eaters, and mixed interests. If you want to go lay by the pool or beach all day with a good book, you can do it! If you want to do multiple excursions in a day, you can! It’s your vacation 🙂
I took a solo trip to Los Angeles for a makeup convention a few years ago, and I literally did anything and everything I wanted! In addition to the convention, I drove to Malibu and Laguna Beach (because I was a huge fan of the show), I went to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles more than once, went on a random TMZ bus tour, and I even went to see a BTS movie at a local theater (yes, the K-pop band and I had nothing planned).
I vividly remember thinking to myself in the theater “wow, I don’t think I could have done this with family” …and I had an amazing time because I was free to do whatever I wanted.
#2 Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
I don’t know about you, but I’m discovering that in my everyday life, I just thrive on routines. I have my morning, afternoon, and evening routines down and I am quite happy with them during the week. I usually work from home, besides the occasional library or cafe, but every day is pretty much the same for me, which is fine.
Now while traveling solo, you get a chance to get out of your routines. You can try out a new activity, a new restaurant, and wear that fancy dress to that fancy restaurant that you have reservations for! If you’re in another country, this is going to be even more out of your comfort zone but look at it as having the opportunity to learn a new language and a new culture.
#3 Builds Self-Confidence in Yourself and Your Decisions
Another one of my favorite reasons to travel solo – it builds your confidence in yourself and your decision-making. Since you’re the only one who must make decisions on your trip, you don’t have a choice but to trust yourself. If you’re in another country and you’re able to communicate with locals in their language, that’s another boost to your confidence!
While I did not travel solo when I went to Seoul, South Korea and Tokyo, Japan I did, however, have to travel back home from Tokyo by myself. Learning the subway system to get back to the airport, navigating the huge airport on my own, and getting on my flight were things I was so proud of myself for doing on my own! I learned to trust myself and my instincts.
#4 You Can Meet New People Easier
I would consider myself to be an extroverted-introvert or an ambivert. That means I can still get shy around new people sometimes. However, I have noticed that when I’m traveling solo (or just out by myself), I somehow get the confidence to start up a conversation with someone. This usually happens when I am at a restaurant or on an excursion! I think people are just curious about why I’m doing something alone on a trip, especially if it’s a tourist attraction.
Also, I’m usually reminded of how kind people are, no matter how scary the world may seem. I have learned that people are helpful, kind, and mostly good, especially when you’re lost in a new place. I’ve even stayed in touch with a few people who I’ve met during my solo travels. Now, always use good judgment when meeting new people 🙂
#5 Find and/or Reconnect with Your True Self
Last but not least, solo travel can have healing properties, and this includes reconnecting with yourself. I’m sure you’ve heard people say they are going to travel to “find themselves” and even though it may sound very cliché, it’s very true! I put this reason last because once you’ve planned your trip, got out of your comfort by trying new things, gained some confidence, and met new people…you’ve also connected with yourself.
You will know yourself a little better than before and trust me, you’re going to want to do it again and again! Most likely, you’ve learned of some things that you like doing and may want to pursue when you get back home. I know when I visited Puerto Rico and took a salsa class, I found that I was quite good at it LOL! Now I want to take more salsa classes!
Related: 6 Ways to Become a Successful Solo Traveler
Let me know if you’ve ever taken a solo trip, and if so, where did you go? If you’ve never considered traveling solo, I would highly encourage it, even if it’s a staycation at a nice hotel in your hometown. I promise you won’t regret it!
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