Why Should You Travel Alone?

Why Travel Alone?

Traveling alone is often the default when none of your friends have the time, money or inclination to join you on your next adventure. If you decide to go on your own, you will invariably have the moments of feeling like the sad loner at the bar that nobody loves or cares about. If you are brave enough to eat in restaurants or go to bars by yourself, certainly you will be surrounded by happy families with cuddly babies and gorgeous couples who are absolutely glowing from their latest romp. It will seem like everyone knows each other, and even the hotel gardeners have someone to talk to.

If you are a woman traveling alone, you can expect this and worse. Also depending on where you go, there will be a fair bit of silent assumptions on your character. Even in relatively modern societies, many men assume you are looking for “something” and readily make themselves available. In fact, I’ve been flashed repeatedly and followed for great lengths throughout most of France, Spain and Italy.

I’m not against traveling with a friend, but if I can’t find one to go with me, I don’t want to wait either. Plus, I get mighty indignant thinking that men are the only ones in the world who have the right to travel alone. I have traveled alone throughout the USA, Europe, Bolivia and New Zealand and there are plenty of reasons to consider doing it.

First of all, it's so rare that two people share the same style of travel as well as enjoy each other’s company. I tend to do trips when I am going through some type of transition. For example, traveling is a wonderful option if you are getting over a break-up, especially if you’ve been dumped. Nothing is closer to torture than living in a city whose every street corner holds some painful memory. It helps to wipe the slate clean and do something else completely. Travel activities like reading a map, or learning a new language, help to bring a new immediacy to your life. Having a travel companion in this state while you sort things out can be distracting.

Traveling alone can also teach you a lot about yourself. Everyone can benefit from being completely selfish in a harmless way. People who are in long-term relationships may no longer notice that their needs aren’t being totally met because they are always compromising. Travelling on your own allows you the supreme pleasure of doing whatever you want. You may not feel like going to the agreed upon museum because there is a lovely view of the sea and you want to take photos. Or, you don’t feel like staying out late because suddenly you’re tired and just want to zone out. On your own, you don’t have to explain any reasons for why you want to do one thing more than other, and you don’t risk disappointing anyone.

Travel is gift to yourself. If you go alone, you really find out what you are made of. This self-knowledge is worth a fortune. Sure, little things will be challenging, and you may not have anyone to help you make tough decisions. There won’t be anyone who can watch your bags while you go buy the train tickets. You will have to ask strangers for directions, and sometimes need help. You will need to build yourself up when you get discouraged or homesick. There will be lonely times, but in exchange you will find that in general you are approached more by locals and warmly welcomed. You will make plenty of mistakes, but you will develop resiliency and responsibility for everything that happens to you.

And this is better than any souvenir you can take back home.