Afraid to travel alone? Not anymore after I tell you how amazing solo travel is and why personally, I think its the best way to travel!
You Decide the Itinerary
There’s little more frustrating than having different itinerary types while travelling. As someone who likes to keep the loosest of schedules, I’m positive that I annoy those around me who like tight minute-by-minute schedules. The easiest way to solve the tension? Solo travel! Traveling alone means you get to decide your own schedule. If you feel like switching it up at the last minute, there’s no one else to run it by. It doesn’t get much better than that.
You Get to Travel at Your Own Pace
Similar to planning your itinerary, one of the best things about solo travel is being able to travel at your own pace. I don’t mean just how many places you’re cramming into one day. I mean how fast you hike, how quickly you walk through the airport or to your next destination, how many pictures you take along the way – they all improve significantly when you’re not keeping up or slowing down for someone else. Personally, I’m always self-conscious when I hike with others because I know I’m a slow hiker. I also always want to take a thousand pictures or look around.
I actually had a friend say the sweetest thing to me on our last hike. I’ll never forget it: I was so out of breath and felt like I’d taken way too many breaks. I needed to stop for a minute but there was no shade, so I told her she could keep hiking and wait for me in the shade. She told me no, I’m out here to spend time with you not to finish this hike in a certain time. She is the absolute kindest.
You Get the Bed All to Yourself
…or hotel room, or tent, or van! When you have your space all to yourself, the only person you have to answer to is you. So maybe that’s starfishing on the king sized bed, spending hours in the bath, or just letting yourself spread your things out all over. Even what time you go to bed can depends on others, but not when you’re travel solo. Whatever the case, it can be so liberating!
You Control the Music
I’m a road-tripper at heart. Air travel has nothing on getting behind the wheel and just enjoying the scenery as it passes by. I’m sure that’s a shock to no one. Its also no surprise how much I love singing in the car. Traveling with others is a good time to talk but traveling alone is the time to sing. Nothing beats some good tunes. Its even better when you get to choose what you’re listening to and no one else can say a word!
My go-to Spotify playlist is Indie Rock Road Trip. I also made my own playlist called 90’s Chick Vibes. It’s what I listen to when I want to scream Bitch by Meredith Brooks at the top of my lungs. I highly recommend it to any solo female traveler.
It Boosts Your Confidence
It’s no secret that having to rely on yourself really boosts your confidence. Simply the independence of solo travel really makes it easy to do things you might not otherwise do. Think about it – eating alone, striking up conversations with strangers, exploring – all things we might struggle with, but when you’re out somewhere new and its just you, you really find the pleasure in these things. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. That and the time spent being introspective really makes you feel like the strong, confident person you are!
I’ve flown, camped, and road tripped alone. It makes travel so much less stressful and I really recommend everyone try it at least once. You might surprise yourself with how much you love it! And, if you’re nervous about safety when you’re a solo traveler, make sure to check out my blog about safety HERE.
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