The power of solo travel and why everyone should try it at least once

Solo traveling is one big adventure and something more and more people are getting into. The idea to discover the world alone, without being dependent on your travel companions, maybe seems intimidating in the beginning. Nonetheless gives solo traveling a unique opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. But what other advantages does solo travel offer?

The first time I was traveling alone, I was so nervous. When I just made the plans, people often said: “But why do you want to go to the other side of the world all by yourself?” Which I always answered: “Why not?” As the trip approached and when I was at the airport, I started to have doubts (should I really be doing this?). On hindsight, I can say it was just nerves. After all, I was about to go to the other side of the world by myself (and I think a bit of healthy nervousness comes with that). Because what if something went wrong?

Once I was on the plane, things were fine, or rather, after I cried over the gift from my mom with a super sweet note inside (thank you, mom). The nerves quickly subsided and when I boarded the plan after my layover, I slept peacefully. Once I landed in Bangkok, the adventure truly began. How do I get from the airport to my hostel? I knew the metro was a good option, but the exact route? I had no idea—it was complicated. Of course I asked, but the names of the station were so difficult and pronounces completely different than written, that I got confused. After asking several people, who all gave different answers, I was completely lost. I thought I should get off at a certain stop, but it turned out not to be the right one. In the end, I took a tuk-tuk to my hostel and paid far too much for it. I was tired, hungry and just wanted a shower. This was day 1, hour 1 even, and things were already going wrong. But it was okay—I made it to my destination. And if things went wrong here but I managed, why shouldn’t I be able to handle the rest as well?

At that moment I realized that the freedom you experience while solo traveling is unique. I think it’s one of the biggest advantages. The freedom to make your own plans entirely, to decide which activities to do or not to do and to stay as long as you want in one place. Do you feel like watching the sunset in the early morning hours? Or spontaneously visiting a city? Or maybe tackling that difficult hike? No one is stopping you and everything is possible. Your way, your journey—a freedom that truly feels liberating.

Without the familiarity of friends and family around me, I had to rely on myself. You’re really forced out of your comfort zone. Navigating a new city, meeting new people and dealing unexpected situations—you learn to trust yourself and develop important skills (I’ve written more about this in: Traveling: a journey of growth and perspective). The personal growth that comes with solo travel may be the greatest gift you’ll ever give yourself. It’s definitely not always easy but with every challenge you overcome, confidence grows.

When you travel by yourself, you quickly connect with other people. You have new experiences and encounters, as a solo traveler, you make new friends easily, whether they’re fellow travelers at the same hostel or locals. Everyone is with everyone, no one is alone. You quickly get involved with other groups of travelers, play a game or do something else together. Everyone is curious about each other’s stories and one of the most frequently asked questions is: “Why did you start traveling?” Everyone has a unique and beautiful answer to that. Everyone had a reason for boarding the plane, which also makes it easy to make deep connections with people you might otherwise never meet. It creates a unique dynamic, one where it feels safe to truly be yourself and where you can grow.

Where, in daily life, you rush from one thing to another and almost never stop to think about yourself, traveling—especially solo traveling—gives you the space for reflection. You have so much more space to think about your goals, your passions and your personal values. This can lead to new insight and changes in perspective. Another questions I was often asked also got me thinking is. The question: “What work/study do you do?” And when I said I was studying to be a PE teacher, everyone was enthusiastic immediately. Where I had the same enthusiasm a few years ago, I no longer felt excited about it. So, something wasn’t quite right there and that got me thinking. I realized that teaching PE was no longer what I wanted (a new insight). There was time to think about what I do want and what truly made me happy. The answer to the second question came quickly but the answer to the first part came much later.

For anyone considering solo travel, I’d like to share a few tips:

• Start with something you’re most comfortable with. Some people dive straight into the deep end and fly across the world, while others prefer to start small. Both are fine! If the idea of a long or distant solo trip overwhelms you, opt for a city trip in Europe, for example. This can be a “preview” of a bigger trip without completely stepping out of your comfort zone right away.

• Prepare yourself. While spontaneity is a hallmark of solo traveling, do some research on things like culture, safety, public transportation and the best places to stay. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel.

• Trust your intuition! Although you’re almost never truly alone, pay attention to your safety and avoid risky situations as much as possible. Stay alert in unfamiliar areas. During my solo trips, for instance, I always share my location with my sister and let my make sure my mom knows the flight numbers and where I’m staying.

• Make sure you always have copies of important documents (like your passport). This could also be a photo on your phone. I also have a group chat with my mom specifically for traveling. This way, she can easily find it if something happens without having to scroll through our messages.

• Connect with other travelers by staying in hostels and participate in group activities for example. These are often other solo travelers who, like you, are looking for adventures and new experiences. Traveling alone doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. And as I always say: “You go alone, but you’re never alone!”

• Be flexible, if you love a place or feel at home and can relax there and you want to stay longer; go for it! It’s your trip so you decide 😉. If things don’t go as planned, that’s fine—it’s all part of the adventure and you’ll learn from it.

• Enjoy the moments when you are alone as well. It’s especially nice if you can appreciate these moments. For example, when I was alone at sunset on the beach. I was lying in a hammock, enjoying the stunning view with boats far buoying the harbor (and if you know me, you know that sunsets, the beach and a hammock are my favorite things). Simply savoring the peace.

• And maybe most importantly: enjoy!

What began as one of the most nerve-wracking things I’ve ever done turned into incredibly meaningful experiences. In my opinion, solo traveling enriches your life in ways you can never imagine beforehand. It offers freedom and gives you the change to truly get to know yourself. You start to see the world around you differently. I really believe that everyone should try this at least once. Not just because you’re waiting for an adventure, but because it’ll change you as a traveler and as a person.

So, book that flight, pack your suitcase and set off on an unforgettable journey—alone, but never lonely.

Love,

Sanne

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