I’d like to say I started traveling solo after an Eat, Pray, Love type awakening.  Venturing out into the great unknown to discover myself and the world around me.  Instead, I happened upon solo travel like you trip over a crack in the sidewalk.  It was unexpected, jolting, and not something I was necessarily looking forward to.

But after my fella and I took a disastrous trip that ended in our dog’s nervous breakdown (complete with a chewed hole in our wall and my mother swearing she’d never watch her again), it was clear we wouldn’t be traveling together for a while.

So out of necessity, I started exploring the world on my own.  And what I found is that solo travel is actually one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had!  Sure I love jetsetting with my guy or friends, but there’s something unique and completely wonderful about seeing destinations on your own.

Here are just ten reasons to travel solo, and why these types of trips will forever hold a special place in your heart.

1. Freedom!!! (exclaimed in Braveheart voice)

One of the most obvious benefits of traveling by yourself is the freedom it affords.  You can simply go where you want, when you want, for as long as you want, and how you want.

Sleep in, stay out late, run from one thing to the next, enjoy a day of relaxation.  It’s entirely up to you!

Traveling to a new place and experiencing it exactly how you wish is unlike anything else.

2. Focusing On Your Destination

Unlike traveling with others, when you travel alone you aren’t insulated from the experience.  Rather than focusing on conversation or managing expectations, you get to see your destination with an unfiltered lens.

This allows you to pick up on nuances that may otherwise go unnoticed, try things you may not try otherwise, and plug into the experience instead of each other.

3. Ability To Change Plans

We all know how long it can take to come to a decision when we’re with other people.  “Where do you want to go for dinner?”  “It doesn’t matter to me, what sounds good to you?”  “I really don’t care, what are you in the mood for?”  “Whatever, I’m open.  What do you think?”  “Hmmm… I don’t know.  Why don’t you just pick a place?”  “Well, what would you like?”

And so on and so on, until you both starve to death.

But when you travel alone, you can decide to change your plans without the inane back and forth.  If you have tickets to a museum but decide you’d rather enjoy the beautiful day outside, you can go to a park instead!  If you made reservations at an Italian restaurant but have a hankering for some sushi, you can eat elsewhere!

Solo travel gives you the opportunity to go wherever the wind blows you.

4. Time for Reflection

Countless things pull at our attention, and traveling with friends and family is no different.

Will they be ready and out the door on time?  Should we find a place to eat because they’re getting hungry?  Would everyone enjoy that activity or should we look for an alternative?

But with solo travel, you have the opportunity to truly get away for some hushed “me time”.  Without the chatter, expectations, and worry, you’re free to actually listen to your inner thoughts.  You know, that little voice that often gets overshadowed by everyone else’s?  And believe it or not, it can have some pretty powerful things to say.

5. Building Self-Confidence

Nothing builds self-confidence like having to rely on yourself.  When traveling with others, it’s easy to sit back and let someone else take the reins.  But with solo travel, you’re it.

And as scary as that is, it’s also immensely rewarding.

Simply finding your way from Point A to Point B without assistance is a win.  And if things go wrong, having to navigate a solution by yourself leaves you with a sense of accomplishment and pride (and teaches you to be more self-reliant in your everyday life too.  Bonus!)  It’s by far one of the best reasons to travel solo.

6. Meeting New Friends

A common misconception is that solo travel is lonely.  Quite the contrary!  It’s amazing the friends you meet along the way when traveling alone.

Because you have no one else to talk to or depend on, it forces you to break out of your comfort zone and engage others around you.  Whether it’s fellow travelers or the locals, there’s always someone to chat up.  In doing so, you open yourself up to new perspectives, experiences, and even new friendships that will stand the test of time.

7. Doing Things You’ve Put Off

We’re all guilty of it.  Buying that bestseller and never getting around to reading it.  Wanting to finish that project we haven’t even started.  Failing to watch that movie that’s already out on DVD.

When you travel by yourself, you have time to focus on all the things you keep putting off.  Take advantage of it!

8. No Apologies

Another reason to travel solo is not having to apologize for the things you love to do.  Want to wake up early for the sunrise, or stay up late for the witching hour?  No problem!  In the mood to take 100 pictures of the same thing?  Go for it!

You can do whatever you want and not have to apologize for it (which is incredibly freeing, and a whole lot of fun!)

9. Total Financial Control

Another perk of solo travel is being able to control how much it costs.  If you’re trying to pinch pennies, you can stay in accommodations that your friends or family may not be up for.  Or if you want to treat yourself, you don’t have to be concerned with whether your travel companion is willing to splurge.

When you’re not worried about someone else’s wallet, you can spend as much or as little as you want!

10. Personal Growth

If travel is one of the best ways to learn, then solo travel is the equivalent of a PhD.

There’s no better way to discover the world around you (history, literature, science).  And in doing so, you grow into a more rounded individual with a broader perspective.  You uncover what drives you, what intrigues you, what you’re capable of, and what sets your soul on fire.

There’s no better way to accelerate personal growth!

When it comes to travel, some of the best experiences happen when you’re on your own.  Quiet moments of awe, invigorating exchanges, and seemingly endless opportunities for adventure.

The reasons to travel solo are as abundant as the memories you’ll make.  What are some reasons you love to travel solo?  Comment below, I’d love to hear them!

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