Hey y’all, guest post this weekend. I’m a big fan of solo travel — I’m a highly independent person and I think having ultimate control over your travel itinerary is one of the best feelings in the world. You literally get to do whatever the hell you want for however long you’re on the road. It’s amazing.
Maybe I’ll write a more detailed article about my thoughts on solo travel in the future. Until then, guest blogger Shawn Michaels of The Smart Lad has a few more words on the topic:
“Traveling isn’t always about running away from things; sometimes it’s about running into what you truly want.”
Traveling alone is the most amazing thing you can for to yourself, as it’s the best catalyst for inner growth. The more you explore the world outside, the more you explore the world within.
Traveling solo, you will meet a lot of people, understand the beauty of this world and get to know yourself in a way you could never have imagined.
Self-Reliance
When you’re traveling alone, you’re responsible and accountable for yourself. You learn to manage everything on your own, be independent, solve problems for yourself and move from place to place without help. Self-reliance is a valuable byproduct of solo travel.
Meet New People & Make New Friends
When traveling alone, it’s a good option to interact with the locals or other tourists. Different people belong to different backgrounds and cultures; meeting them will not only make you comfortable, but also open your mind and makes you realize how huge this world is. The people whom you’re talking to might become one of your best friends. Traveling alone opens up a whole new world for you where you may be traveling alone, but you are never alone.
Enhances Your Conversation Skills
While you travel solo, you have interact with so many people, tell them your experiences, and ultimately you become a better conversationalist!
It’s all on you, as there is no one from your family or friends on whom you can depend to carry a conversation. So, you naturally enhance your conversation skills and get less hesitant about approaching people.
Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone Makes You Confident
Leave your comfort zone once in a while: you’ll gain wonderful experiences, and above all, you’ll become more confident, self-sufficient and empowered to take any challenge.
So, get comfortable being uncomfortable and you’ll enjoy the excitement, adventure, and bold decisions.
Magic happens at the end of your comfort zone.
Self-Discovery
Traveling alone gives you a golden opportunity to spend some good quality “me” time with yourself.
You start exploring your inner self. What is your aim in life? What do you care about the most? What are your real priorities? And so on.
It’s the best way to be self-indulgent, as you become more in tune with your emotions, inclinations, behaviors, patterns and the deepest aspects of yourself.
Solo Travel Makes You a Better Traveler
Traveling alone not only makes you more compassionate but also a better person overall. As you deeply observe people coming from different walks of life and visit a variety of beautiful places around you.
When you’re alone, you manage everything on your own. Money management, carrying your bags, navigating to different spots, planning trips and so on. All this adventure improves your managing skills, thus making you a better traveler.
So, get ready to discover yourself and enjoy the exotic beauty of this world. Pack your bag and wear good quality boots that will keep you comfortable on your venture.
Believe me, it’s completely worth it and you will come back a better person!
You can find more from Shawn at TheSmartLad.com
thisisyouth 
I started solo traveling 2 years ago and I absolutely love it! I’m about to go on another solo travel. This time Costa Rica for 15 days.
Great article! I never traveled alone and I regret it. It sounds divine! Now, having kids, the treat and simplicity of being alone has gotten a whole new meaning 😉 I’m planning to drive cross country by myself soon. Hope it’ll happen. Thanks for the inspiration.
When I was 24, way back when (’74), I took off for Europe on my own when young women rarely did such things, with a one-way air ticket because I didn’t know when I’d be back. It was the best thing I’ve ever done in more ways than I can count, including those your guest blogger, Daniel, mentions and much more. Though I spoke no French (only some German from high school, and in those days far fewer Europeans spoke English well), I ended up with a great job with a French engineering company in Paris, which then became my home for three years. Oh, joy! My advice: do it!
Very interesting! I’ve never done solo travel.
You should give it a try someday! It’s a very liberating feeling!!
Everybody says that. I’m going to plan a solo trip next.
I prefer traveling solo and have since i was 16 years of age. After at least two dozen solo ooutings i can say that you are definitely on point!
This post just speaks the truth. I have done solo travelling many times and I feel like I improved as a person, I became more confident, more independent and believe in my capabilities. I stopped relying on people as I had no one to rely on when I was travelling alone:) One thing that I think is a shame is probably I had no one to shame those amazing views and experiences with at that moment😢 Although meeting new people is easy, be prepared to be alone from time to time guys
I have been wanting to go off on a trip by myself for months. The best thing I ever did was get a summer job in Edinburgh for the Fringe festival the summer after I graduated, which involved going a long way from home by myself. I would love to feel that way again 🙂
This is a great article! I’m solo travelling in September and this aligns with everything I’m feeling right now!
Yes to all of the above. I started traveling solo a few years ago and I find it to be a great adventure and plus I really get to accomplish what I set out to do on my vacation without having to have others hold me back.
Excellent article!
Couldn’t agree anymore. Travel is about experiences and experiencing yourself in new environments- peoples and places. I am not a big fan of group planned travel. I have enjoyed hanging with old friends and traveling locally with them on the spur of the moment as we caught up in various places as I have sometimes gotten back to.the same spot. Great post!!
I fully agree with you
I love this post. I always travel solo and cannot agree more with anything what is written here!
This is a great post and I relate to almost all of it – I would totally recommend solo travel to everyone at least once in their lives.
Brilliant post! I believe I have come back as a better person and reading this post has made me really want to solo travel again. 🙂
Daniel-
Just ran across your blog the other day, have been enjoying it. Speaking of solo travel, Im heading to Spain to walk some parts of the Camino de Santiago alone (I walked the whole thing last year and blogged about it every night). You can read it here: http://www.allroadsleadhometheblog.com . I’m going to be blogging from the Camino again starting in a few days- I’m going to redo a few sections which will serve to finish up the book I’m writing, let me know if you want another guest blogger…Cheers! >