Everyone knows that travelling is one of the most worthwhile experiences a person can have. Taking your family on holiday, visiting relatives abroad and going on a business trip all have one thing in common – they involve travelling with other people. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with bringing people along for the journey but taking the plunge and travelling by yourself is an important step. Whether it’s for a few days or a few months, here are some of the top reasons you should try travelling alone.
Making Decisions
When you’re young, it’s easy to let life guide you since many people have more control over your environment and activities than you. As you get older, however, learning to make good decisions for yourself becomes vital. People in their twenties, people in their seventies and everyone in between can gain much-needed experience by travelling alone and forcing themselves to make all the important decisions on their own. When you return from your trip, you’ll have a new self-confidence that you can trust yourself and the choices you make in life after surviving all by yourself.
Independence
The freedom to make your own choices gives you a better appreciation of your independence. Being able to take care of yourself and avoid relying on other people is a valuable quality to have and one that can be earned by travelling alone. Every step of your journey is decided by you and nobody else. You choose which accommodation you prefer; you choose the restaurants you want to eat at, you choose what time you go to bed. Take a look at some accommodation for single traveller holidays to inspire you. Being on your own doesn’t mean you have to be bored.
Building Character
Not everything will necessarily go to plan while you’re taking your solo trip. You might lose or forget something important, eat something that makes you ill, overspend on your budget. These are things that are incredibly stressful at the time but can teach you valuable lessons. Being the only person responsible for your circumstances is a great way to build your character and learn more about yourself. How do you handle being in a crisis? Do you still treat other people politely when under stress? Are you reliable when a stranger needs your help? These are all useful lessons to become a better, more well-rounded human being and travelling alone challenges you to do just that.
New Experiences
No matter your initial reasons for travelling on your own, the new experiences you have along the way will be priceless. You can never fully predict what will happen and so being able to embrace the unexpected and go with the flow will open you up to people and places you might never have dreamed of. Sometimes travelling with family or friends can be restrictive in that you must act as a group. Travelling alone lets you experience the world on your own terms and at your own pace.