Solo Travel

Never Say Never

Travel gives us permission to go beyond our comfort zones, to explore new places, cultures and do things we have never done before. This to me is the essence of travel. Yet for some people the idea of travelling sole is a line they will never cross but yet it can be so empowering if you do. With great risk comes great reward, take the gamble, do something you have never done before, there is a good chance you will love it!

Have you ever been away and saw someone laying on the beach or relaxing by the pool reading a book completely content in their own company and envied that person wishing you were them. I am often that person from the streets of Thailand, Paris and Madrid to the hiker camping solo at Barrington Tops. A party of one, content and at peace with the freedom to go my own way. I take myself out for dinner and coffee, I am the last person on the tour and often with the best seat, I rise and sleep as I wish.

There are however pros and cons as there always is. If you are travelling with a partner they can help with the luggage if you need it. The biggest con is you have to comprise on the destination and activities, the trip is not your own. If your travelling with your family, you will create the most amazing memories you will treasure forever, and I do have many of these and many more to come, but the work involved. It’s exhausting! You rarely come back rested.

Here some tips and benefits for solo travel:

Start small, a weekend away, just a few hours from home. Plan just enough to do, hike, beach, spa treatment or a good book.

Never choose a romantic destination especially if you are just recently single. Likewise don’t choose a family destination. Mother guilt is real!

Try a small group tour. You will most likely find someone else travelling solo, you will be reminded that the world is full of wonderful, interesting people.

Solo travel may be the only context in which selfishness isn’t a bad thing. You can spend each day anyway you like.

When you travel with other’s you tend to stick together. Traveling solo is invaluable in this circumstance as you are more ;likely to chat to locals and meet new friends.

You can rest as much as you like without feeling guilty.

When returning from solo travel you are less likely to feel stressed out. You will come home feeling more rested and inspired.

Research suggests that getting into vacation mode has the potential to increase our happiness levels. And spending time alone has been shown to stave off depression. Solo travel is good for your overall health.

Solo travel gives a boost to your confidence. Heading out into the world on your own with no social safety net and forging a path in solitude and making your way through the unknown terrain can do wonders for your self-confidence and personal authenticity.

Travelling solo forces you into making your own decisions and how you are feeling at any given moment. This means that while you are travelling solo you will learn more about yourself. A cliche it may be, but solo travel is a journey of self-discovery.