Most people think it's strange to travel alone to an unfamiliar place. Some will laugh at the idea and say it's only for people who do not have family and friends. Others completely shun the thought because they see it as no fun, dangerous, or expensive.
People may think you're a weirdo, and I know the feeling when friends, family, and colleagues look at you intently and say, "Are you serious?"
But for me, solo traveling is reserved for those courageous souls who not only wish to experience the beauty of nature but also want to better understand themselves through their journey. I believe spending time alone in an unfamiliar place is essential for the mind, body, and soul.
I enjoy traveling alone as well as having companions; both allow me access to different experiences and life lessons.
However, at some point in our lives, we should try to travel solo. Here are five reasons why I think everyone should try it.
Traveling alone helps us develop the confidence that we can do things we thought we couldn't. There's great joy when we arrive at our destination safe and sound. It may not be easy, but the adventure is worthy enough to chalk it up to experience as we learn and discover new things.
It also tests our courage to face our fears! What can be more liberating than overcoming our fears?
Being close to nature and away from the busyness of the city helps us reflect on our relationships, life's purpose, and dreams.
Most of the time, we worry and complain about many things—about the people around us, not getting the lifestyle we wanted, or others living our dreams. Going to a place outside our comfort zone makes us realize that there are still many reasons to be grateful, and life can be beautiful if we choose to.
Spending time alone silences our busy minds, and sometimes our dependencies confront us too. We can be dependent on those things we can't stand without—like technology, work, or unhealthy relationships that we can't seem to let go of. Clearing our minds helps us think thoroughly by allowing us to weigh what's important, what is beneficial, and what's not.
Being alone can be scary if we're not used to it. Traveling solo gives us an opportunity to trust God more. He will help us meet good strangers along the way, guide us in the right direction, and provide us with the things we will need to reach our destination.
It may sound funny, but it is the truth. Every time there's a lot of uncertainty around us, we tend to pray a lot—and that's a good thing! Being alone with only our wit and God's grace guiding us provides us plenty of time to really communicate with God, to be honest with him, and to tell him every thought, worry, and joy that we're experiencing.
Traveling alone gives us the benefit of enjoying the majestic beauty of nature and, at the same time, spending precious moments with the Creator of all things.
Of course, it is fun being with our family and friends, but most of the time, large groups can defeat the purpose of traveling, which is to explore. Why? Because what usually happens is we're waiting for everyone to get ready so we can do our planned activities. Some don't like the heat, others are afraid of reptiles and insects, and the rest have allergies.
Even hiring a tour guide or a travel agent can lessen the fun because they are time-restricted—they make sure the itinerary is followed. We end up in a hurry, take some photos, and then leave. If we really want to get to know the place and truly discover its beauty, we need to spend more than 30 minutes!
When we travel in groups, we usually have to take into consideration what the majority wants. But sometimes there's no majority—others are allergic to seafood, or they don't eat pork, and some are vegetarians—so we end up buying different menus to suit everyone's preferences.
When choosing our accommodation, some will say they can't sleep without AC or would like to have a good view from the window. It seems like everyone wants to get the "perfect room." When traveling alone, we have the liberty to choose what suits our needs and is subject to our means.
So why not try traveling solo? There are more reasons and benefits than what I can list here, and it will always depend on your experience. But before you go to the place you've always wanted to visit, here's a simple piece of advice from me—make sure to do your research about your destination: where to go, where to stay, how to get there, what to buy, and at what price. Always prepare before traveling; it will help you have a smooth trip.