What keeps you from traveling someplace you have always wanted to go?
When you travel solo, there are so many fewer restrictions. You can choose where to go, when you want to go, how much you feel comfortable spending, and do what your want to do. Six years ago, when I finally saved up enough vacation time and money, I decided to take my first trip abroad to Ireland. Rather than try to find travel companions, I decided to try another first: go on the trip solo. It was an experience I will never forget and made me realize how much I was capable of.
- You can do whatever you want.
When it is just you, you do not have to find things you and your other travel companions will all enjoy. You can do whatever you feel like, when you feel like it. On my first day in Belfast, after my Black Taxi Tour, I was exhausted. I took a mid-afternoon nap, no other plans prevented me from this nap and it was glorious.
On any trip, I always like to spend hours strolling the streets of a new city. Sometimes there’s a few landmarks I want to walk past, but besides that, my goal is to take in as much of the city by foot as possible. Spending that much time wandering around is something most travel companions are not up to. Not having to compromise on what you want to do is incredibly freeing. You’re truly away from any obligations in your life, and you can allow yourself to just be.
2. You have time to think.
Being an introvert, going by myself, and not having many people to talk to was a huge plus. One day was dedicated to walking around in Dun Laoghaire which is a coastal town south of Dublin. After I had my fill, I took a commuter train up to Howth, another coastal town, but this time north Dublin. I wanted to hike the Cliff Path. It was just me, the cliffs, the sea, and some German tourists I would pass from time to time. It was a simple day, but it is a memory I think of to calm myself. What exactly did I think about along the hike in Howth? Mostly, what I would do if I slipped and fell down the cliffs to my death, among other deeper thoughts.
Being far from anyone that knows you, and disconnecting from your phone is a wonderful escape. With the craziness of daily life, you hardly have a moment to really truly think. On your own, away from your routine, it allows you to block out the noise.
3. You Gain More Confidence In Yourself
When solo tripping, you have no one else to rely on but yourself. Going to Ireland all by myself, and figuring it out made me realize I could go anywhere. Before I went to Ireland, countless hours were spent on Google Maps figuring out how to get around, so I was beyond prepared. After I came home from my Ireland trip, I felt so accomplished and couldn’t wait to plan another solo trip abroad.
When I went to Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany last year, I did not prepare as much. In Germany, I met up with friends, but in Belgium, and the Netherlands I was on my own. Amsterdam, was a breeze to navigate even though I did not spend much time mapping out the area. Brussels felt like a maze with all its winding streets, and I was constantly getting lost. Even though I lost my way, I still was able to find my way went it counted: to my hotel at night, and then the train the next day to leave!
It’s up to you to navigate your surroundings. It’s up to you to figure out your itinerary. Once you have successfully gotten around new surroundings, and planned an enjoyable trip, you feel like you can conquer anything.
Where’s my next solo adventure? This fall I’m heading to Windsor, UK for a few days before meeting up with my family! I consume the British Royal Family history with fervor, so these few days will allow me to really explore Windsor Castle and hopefully get to see some great exhibits in honor of King Charles III’s coronation.
Let me know in the comments about your solo travel questions and experiences! I love to hear them all!
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