Why Every Woman Should Try Traveling Alone
*As originally published by The Everygirl in April 2019.
My first solo trip wasn’t exactly intentional. After deciding I was ready for a longer travel journey overseas, so began my difficulty finding a friend whose schedule aligned well enough to join me. Even with some heavy bribing, it became clear that none of my closest friends could coordinate travel plans. Determined (and desperate?) enough to make my vision happen, I began messaging any mild acquaintances who’d indicated interest in travel. (We signed up for the same yoga class, AND you visited to the Indiana dunes this summer? Must love adventure, let’s spend a month together abroad!) Unsurprisingly, this approach did not yield many results.
At this point I was left with a choice. Did I wait to postpone the trip until a friend could join me? Or did I go for it on my own, because I had the resources and desire to do so now?
Fast forward to me buckled into Qantas premium economy, soaring 10,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Chicago to Australia — on my own for the first time. It was terrifying, electrifying, and most notably, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My one-month solo journey led to discoveries I never could have anticipated (along with many more solo travel experiences!), and may provide the same reasons you should plan your own solitary adventure.
1. Solo travel reveals your independence
Before my trip down under, I’d always considered myself independent, yet I’m not sure I’d ever been forced to rely upon myself completely. Now, I arranged the full extent of my travel plans, navigated my way through unfamiliar locations (with major help from Google Maps), and simply discovered I could have fun on my own. I wasn’t dependent on anyone else to show me a good time! Eating in a restaurant alone? I’ll take a seat at the bar, thanks! Spontaneous waterfall tour? Let’s jump on (and into) that. You’ll feel great scouting out original places to explore, making plans that suit your interests, and most importantly, trusting yourself.
2. No need to compromise
Along those lines, one of the most freeing aspects of traveling by yourself is that there’s no need to compromise! My previous trips with friends grew tricky when differing travel styles or disagreements over plans emerged. Now, I could pack and plan my schedule based on my preferences alone. It was liberating! Each day was an adventure I organized to my liking, which resulted in a trip without any regrets. Want to skip that “must-see” museum to check out some cool street art instead? Go for it! You’ve got no one to answer to but yourself.
3. Opportunities to meet new people
We all know how easy it is to remain isolated from others when you’re with your best friends. Why chat with the stranger or sit with an unfamiliar face on the bus when you’re already having a great time with your own group? Traveling by yourself eliminates this crutch, but also frees you to strike up new conversations. You’ll be emboldened to put yourself out there when you’re alone, plus this gives you the opportunity to connect with a diverse range of people. Some of the closest friends I made while traveling Australia were fellow travellers who I visited again in Europe!
4. Become more present
Without the constant distraction of a travel companion, you’ll notice you become a lot more present and aware of your surroundings. During my solo trips overseas, I spent so much more time appreciating where I was and fully taking in each moment. I was able to soak in the scenery and appreciate the depth of each experience, which heightened my enjoyment of it all. This calm, present state of mind has become a feeling I still chase to this day.
5. Discover more about yourself
Perhaps most profoundly, all of these factors result in learning an insane amount about yourself! Not only does alone time provide an incredible opportunity for reflection, but it also showed me who I am when faced with unfamiliar circumstances. I learned that I problem-solved stressful situations with relative calm, enjoyed living on a more spontaneous schedule, and overall discovered how inspired I am by exploration and adventure. My time solo traveling abroad has taught me more about myself in a few months than I’ve learned in some years, and provided me with the insight and clarity to change my goals and lifestyle, forever.
*The Everygirl’s ‘Travel’ column has since been archived.