Why traveling solo can give you the best company
Many people would like to travel, but they don’t want to go alone. So they forgo travel at all. Going sans company feels too out of their comfort zone. Our society doesn’t know what to do with people who go their own way in general—so they pressure them to stay home rather than take this social, emotional, and physical challenge. I’ve traveled both ways—backpacked around China, Japan, and Europe alone, and taken trips with others as well. They are very different experiences, and I can’t say one is better than the other.
Whether it’s short or long, if you’re in the position where you have some time, traveling solo can be a great experience. Traveling alone is not sad and pathetic, nor is it selfish. It’s healthy and self-full. Here are the 5 top reasons to take advantage of your own company:
1. You get to control the destination and everything you do there. You can follow your passion. Obsessed with 16th century ceramic shards that are on display at a tiny, expensive museum that you have to take a long bus ride to? Well, you can go! Since my passion is art, I might want to spend two days at a large museum, or go way out of my way to an obscure gallery. You don’t have to negotiate what sights to see, how much walking to do, where to eat dinner, or what form of transportation. Traveling involves many decisions, and the fewer people, the less conflict.
Tip: Carry a tablet where you can write, draw, take photos, and access travel apps. It really saves a lot of space in your daypack.
2. You can utilize the free time you have. One of my three-week trips was fulfilling my dream to backpack around Italy. I happen to have left a job very suddenly because I really didn’t get along with the boss. Suddenly, I was free! I had some savings, but I didn’t have a traveling companion. I couldn’t let that stop me. If I hadn’t simply stopped overthinking it and gotten on a plane, possibly I would never have gone to Italy to this day.
Tip: Getting last-minute tickets can be cheaper than planning ahead! Look up airline consolidators or Web fares. If you don’t mind a slower trip, Priceline is your friend.
3. It’s easier to meet people when you’re alone. You’ll be surprised at how many solo travelers there are. And of course, sites like Meetup, Facebook and many others make it easy to meet in group in a safe setting. When you’re alone, people see you and talk to you. You might meet a group. One a solo boat ride I took from Japan to China, I met a group of three travelers, and joined them for some fun adventures.
Tip: stay in a hostel, even if you’re no longer in your twenties. There are some really nice hostels out there; don’t pick the cheapest (unless you have to). Hostels are the new luxury hotels for the sharing world.
4. You’ll feel proud for having dealt with all the challenges of traveling all by yourself. It’s an accomplishment. When you get back home, you might well feel more in control of your life.
5. Traveling with others can be stressful. I remember my first trip to Europe, with my then-boyfriend back in our teens. We had many an argument. The relationship survived the trip, but relationships and friendships can suffer damage from the stresses of all the decisions and challenges of travel. By yourself, you’re more mindful about what’s around you, and less caught up in another person’s opinions.
Tip: you don’t need to plan too much ahead — just a few days. And if you stray off your path, even by accident, don’t sweat it. Focus on what you find in the moment.
You should certainly pick a destination that’s considered safe, know where the local embassy is, and let people back home know where you are every day. I avoid constantly posting pictures to social media, since it takes me out of the moment, but let a select few people know you’re safe. I’ve felt safer in many countries than in my home country, the U.S.
Remember, sometimes getting lost alone is the best way to find yourself. So, go get lost!
Alicia P. George is a writer, sketcher, and editor. She enjoys seeking out little museums.