Scared to travel alone? Here's why you should book that solo trip now
There's a big difference between being alone and being lonely.
I've heard this before - believed it (mostly for cognitive dissonance) but didn't really manifest it in my life. I loved my "me-time's" but every time I found myself situated at some place where I'm alone, I immediately felt lonely and uncomfortable. I remind myself of this difference again but somehow end up still feeling incomplete. I always craved for the company of someone just because I didn't feel safe enough with myself. But believe me when I say that that was wrong. It could have only lead me to self-destruction.Alone is the state of having your own company and doing things on your own. Lonely, on the other hand, is the emotion attached to having no companions and is the feeling of being isolated. Well, to be fair, these two terms may get really confusing. I checked Google for their definitions (because why not) and it states that lonely is synonymous with being alone while it didn't actually explicitly say the same when you search the term alone. This meant, for me, that when you are lonely, it is possible that you are often alone at these times. But when you are alone, it is absolutely your choice to feel loneliness or not.I've learned the latter through traveling. And not only did I travel but I dared myself to travel alone.It's honestly a shame that I learned it that way because, indeed, you definitely don't need to travel just to learn this. But I did and it couldn't have been more successful in empowering me.I traveled alone to Rome, Bolzano, London, Germany, and Prague; and now, as I am writing this, I am also preparing for my next solo trip. A year ago, this may certainly not be an idea to me. Travel alone would make me flip and lose my mind. When I was planning my trip to Rome, I honestly felt more nervous than speaking in front of many people. I felt my heart bursting.But in a good kind of way.The excitement that comes with it is honestly addicting. The thrill of clicking that "book now" button and the planning stage have kept me hooked. In some ways, I feel power and invincibility whenever I travel alone.Truth be told, it's one of the scariest things because there is so much uncertainty about it but it's also one of the most empowering things one can experience. And for that, here - in this blog post - are the reasons why you should dare to travel solo.
Reasons why you shouldn't be scared to travel alone
It is good for your soul.
If you're reading this, I bet that in some ways, you are craving for a change or for an escape. Your world has been so preoccupied with a lot of things and they are overwhelming you. Been there. You try to go with the flow but it ends up burning you out. Done that. So when there's an opportunity for you to travel even if you're left to do it by yourself, go ahead and do it. I don't promise you an escape or a perfect experience with no worries or loneliness. But I can promise you a life of healing and change.
It is empowering.
I have said this before but I will reiterate it now. Traveling solo is empowering simply because it will force you to step out of your comfort zone. It will hand you control over your life - and I don't mean that in a too-controlling kind of way. You, of course, know that life is full of uncertainties - most of which we cannot control - but through traveling alone, you learn to decide for your own and live your life the way you want it to be.
You learn from your own mistakes and experiences.
The saying "Experience is the best teacher" will never get old. Traveling alone doesn't make your life perfect but it will teach you more important lessons in life than you will ever learn if you choose to just stay within your boundaries. You will make mistakes and some things you may possibly regret but these are life's way of telling you to listen to it and learn from them.
You meet different people along the way.
I told you at the start of this blog post that there is a difference between being alone and being lonely. Well, let me tell you that traveling alone will not make you lonely if you choose for it to be otherwise. You will meet different people along the way - some may be of good or bad influence to you - but some if not most of these people could be your friends forever. You only have to give the world a chance and I promise, it will give you the best people you could possibly have in your life.
You learn to trust yourself, God, and the world as well.
Back home, you may constantly feel like you are less than what other people are because you think you can only survive by depending on others. When you travel alone, depending on others (i.e. asking for directions, looking for locals to get advice from) is a thing that will not disappear. However, when traveling solo, you get to rely on yourself more. Your decisions are your own and the accountability is on your shoulders so, even if this means more pressure, it can only mean that you have to trust yourself. In this process, you also grow as a better, more confident, and more secure person. (aka self-love is the revolution yaaas)But throughout this process too, I, for one, learned to let the world be and surrender things to God's will. By doing so, I always kept in my mind the reminder that, even if I'm all by myself, someone is still out there watching over me and guiding me to the path I am supposed to take. Traveling alone made me embrace the detours and stumbling but it made me strong enough to pick myself up, dust off my scarred knees, and move forward. (Thankfully, this is just a metaphor as I have never stumbled for real. Lol)
So why should you travel alone, love?
Simple. Traveling alone makes you love yourself, life, and the world more. It gives you the power over your life and not the other way around. It makes you appreciate the places you will see, the people you will meet, and the experiences you will have. All the more making you feel the most alive.
And so remember this blog's tagline: living for moments of being lost and alive?In traveling alone, you may find yourself lost along the way but chances are, it will make your heart beat fast and mind go running crazy - which only means, you are alive. Isn't that something to be thankful for?
Check out my must-have's when traveling alone!
What are your solo travel best experiences? Share them in the comments below!
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