Traveling alone

Vacations are treasured commodities that we generally plan to be huge affairs were we go out of our way to find people (or we know people) who will travel with us to share the excitement (or burden) of getting from point A to B (or C to E etc). But rarely do people go out of there way to experience traveling by themselves.

You would ask "what's so different about going away by yourself vs company?" And I would be urged to remind you of any point when you arrived in a new area and you hopped in a rental car by yourself and you didn't know where the hell you were going. It can be a bewildering and daunting experience the first couple of times. Hell I remember my last trip to Florida, I hadn't driven in the United States for months so I felt a bit off (let's be honest, it was a keyless Jetta and I spent 15mins trying to figure out how to start the damn thing and I almost started out on the wrong side of the bloody road...actually later that night I did drive on the wrong side of the road in a parking lot and that's when I knew it was time to carry my tired arse home!)

My point is you have to approach challenges differently (sink or swim) and there is no one there to guide you along the way so you learn to trust your instincts more (no, phoning/texting a friend isn't the best idea in most cases).

When you're walking around (or driving) you're forced to initiate and develop your internal dialogue (yup, I'm saying you're gonna be talking to yourself more...unless you are constantly texting...which isn't safe...). Thinking about your decisions, or reacting internally to events/objects around you gives you a better sense of who you are. Either you gain a deeper understanding of yourself -- which will make you appreciate yourself more or see things about you that need to be changed or developed.

Traveling solo actually makes you appreciate people more. Let's say you are lost and not sure where to go, if you're on foot then ask (you'd be surprised how helpful most people will be). Or if you're at a monument and you're taking a selfie some people will surprise you and offer to give you a hand (that happened to me at Stonehenge this past week).

Traveling alone can be like going on extended date with the most important person in your life (you). There isn't any external dialogue or debate as what to do, it's just you and yourself going after the things you want to do, which can be a breath of fresh air since you aren't out to please, ignore or be cautious of anyone but yourself. You lead yourself on your own adventure that you can either share (later..not in the moment, put that damn phone away!) or keep to yourself to build up your own confidence (well, really developing a stronger sense of self).

Just because you travel alone doesn't mean you have to be alone. While you're on your adventure you are free to interact with the people around you. It can be frightening at first but what do you have to lose? You will either never see them again or you will build lasting connections. No one knows which until you give it a go.

So go on a solo adventure, it might be frightening at first but it is so worth it in the long run.