7 Surprising Benefits Of Solo Travel (Unlocking Self-Discovery)
Solo travel might seem a bit intimidating and even lonely at first glance, but let me tell you, the opposite is true. Solo travel can open up a totally new world filled with unforgettable adventures and connections that last a lifetime.
If you have found your way to this blog post, chances are a solo adventure has been on your mind. So, let’s talk about it and let me tell you all the incredible benefits of solo travel that I have experienced over the years, what solo travel teaches you and how solo travel changes you and your life for the better.
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I love solo travel, but let me tell you, this has not always been the case.
For many years, I travelled with friends, and if no one was available to join me, I would rather skip an adventure than go by myself.
It felt weird to me to go all by myself. I thought I would probably get bored anyway, and the thought of sitting alone in a restaurant simply felt embarrassing.
Maybe you have similar thoughts, but my perspective on solo travel changed completely when I got more immersed in yoga.
As I travelled to yoga teacher trainings, yoga retreats and workshops around the globe to deepen my practice, I found myself taking solo trips out of necessity.
And what started as a practical choice, quickly turned into a new passion of mine. For the past few years I have been travelling mostly on my own and let me tell you, I am absolutely loving it!
Solo travel has become not just a way to explore the world, but to connect deeper with myself and it helped me to grow in many areas of my life. I can’t wait to share all my insights and learnings with you, so let’s dive right into it.
Going solo doesn’t mean going alone, it means travelling with the best company you will ever have – yourself.
7 Solo trip benefits and how solo travel changes you
Is solo travel worth it? Hell YES!
Let’s break it down and let me tell you 7 amazing benefits of solo travel that shaped me as a person and transformed my daily life for the better.
1. Embrace independence and self-reliance
Solo travel certainly toughens you up emotionally and mentally and I would say that one of the biggest advantages of solo travel is building upon your independence and self-reliance.
I love to plan and when I plan, there is always a backup plan, sometimes even a backup plan to the backup plan and yes, that is the German in me speaking.
But no matter how detailed you plan your itinerary, you are bound to encounter some hick-ups along your journey such as delayed flights, missed ferries in the middle of nowhere, a tarantula on your doorstep, a broken dental crown in the jungle, etc.
However, you will be impressed by how resourceful you become and how much courage you can tap into when you really need it.
Handling situations that push you outside of your comfort zone will show you your true potential and make you aware of your capability.
All of this will help you cultivate a sense of independence that will continue to empower you long after your solo trip is over.
Solo travel forces you to rely on yourself entirely: every step you take alone becomes a victory, and every decision you make builds your confidence showing you that you can not only handle but most importantly thrive in this unfamiliar territory.
This newfound sense of independence inspires confidence from deep within which will change the way you show up for yourself and the world around you.
2. Cultivate self-awareness and inner strength
One thing I have learned along my self-discovery journey is that it is always in these moments when we slow down and sit with ourselves that we meet our true selves.
Moments like watching the sunrise on top of a mountain, walking along a deserted beach, watching the moon at night, etc. These are the moments when you get a rare chance to listen to your own thoughts, completely free and uninfluenced by the noise of daily life, friends or family.
Solo travel encourages self-reflection, helping you to uncover your most authentic self. You get a chance to create space for yourself, confront your fears, explore your dreams and desires, strengths and so much more.
These moments of truth and self-discovery will tell you what you crave deep within, what you are capable of overcoming and give you a powerful sense of identity which will help you to build a life that truly matters to you and feels worth living.
Self-awareness is the catalyst for personal development. It enables you to make choices that are aligned with your core essence, leading you to a deeper sense of fulfilment and happiness in life overall.
3. Embrace challenges and uncertainty
Travelling alone requires a lot of flexibility…plans change, situations arise and yes, sometimes things simply go wrong.
At first, these challenges might push you outside of your comfort zone, makes sense, right?
Otherwise, it would not be a challenge, but these moments of challenge will teach you to keep calm, adapt, trust in your capabilities and come up with solutions on the spot.
Facing these challenges and uncertainties helps you to build resilience.
This resilience does not just fade away when you return home. This resilience will become part of you helping you to accept and acknowledge that change is the only constant that we have in life.
4. Step outside of your comfort zone and gain new perspectives
As you are trying foods you have never heard of, exploring new cities, towns and villages, meeting strangers along your travels you end up having dinner with, etc. you get exposed to different languages, cultures, backgrounds etc.
These kinds of experiences invite you to shed preconceived notions and embrace fresh ways of thinking and seeing the world and by stepping boldly into the unknown you will open your mind and uncover perspectives you have never imagined.
These new perspectives become part of your personality, expanding your sense of compassion, understanding and appreciation for the diversity of the world.
This expanded worldview can profoundly impact how you navigate life back home, opening your mind to new ideas and enriching your daily interactions in many different ways and forms.
5. Fostering mindfulness and being present
With no one else to worry about or distract you, solo travel brings you into a state of mindfulness that is difficult to achieve in everyday life.
Imagine yourself wandering through a city with no itinerary, simply enjoying the sights, sounds scents, different foods, people watching, etc.
This is a rare chance to be fully present, savouring each moment as it unfolds along your journey.
Being mindful and present not only enriches your travel experience, it immerses you in the beauty of the moment.
This sense of mindfulness will help you to find more joy in the present rather than being pulled by the worries of the past or future.
Embracing the present moment can lead to a deeper appreciation for life in general. You begin to understand that life is a collection of moments, each moment happening right here, right now.
6. Cultivating gratitude
Whether this is a simple meal that you prepare for yourself along your journey or taking in a breathtaking landscape, solo travel allows you to reflect on all you have and reminds you of life’s beauty and abundance.
You develop a deeper sense of gratitude and appreciation not only for your journey but for life as a whole.
As you are more aware of gratitude along your journey, returning home you may notice a newfound appreciation for the comforts and support systems you once took for granted.
Gratitude becomes a daily practice, bringing a sense of joy and fulfilment that goes far beyond your travel experience.
7. Develop a stronger sense of self
How solo travel changes you? You develop a stronger sense of self along your journey.
As you navigate through unfamiliar lands, connect with new cultures, create unforgettable memories for yourself, etc. each experience has fortified your confidence, leaving you with a stronger sense of self.
The lessons you learn on a solo trip are invaluable: trust in your ability to make decisions, courage to face the unknown, accepting change, stepping into your strength, keeping an open mind, standing up for yourself and putting yourself out there, etc.
All this helps you to understand your own worth. You come back with not just stories to tell, but a richer, more confident version of yourself which again will help you open new doors along your journey in general.
So, if you are wondering whether you should plan a solo trip or not, I would certainly encourage you to do so.
There is so much for you to learn and in a way, solo travel is also a perfect way to reflect and reset should you ever feel a bit stuck in your current life and can help you to find insights about what/or how to change things moving forward.
Take a chance on you today – what are you waiting for?
3 Tips to start your solo travel adventure
Apart from all the solo trip benefits that we just spoke about, you might still be a bit nervous about your first solo adventure. I totally understand and I also think that it is good to be nervous.
But I got you! Below are three tips to help you slowly ease into the experience of solo travel.
- Start small – take it easy and start with a weekend getaway to a nearby city you have always wanted to explore. These smaller trips give you a chance to get comfortable with planning, navigating and exploring on your own helping you to build confidence for longer trips down the line
- Plan the basics and leave room to play – book your accommodations and define some key places you would like to go to during your trip but avoid over-planning. One of the big advantages of solo travel is to give yourself the freedom to embrace unexpected opportunities. Follow your intuition.
- Make new friends and connect with fellow travellers – solo travel does not mean that you have to be by yourself all the time. Be open to meeting new people on your journey; these new connections can provide great insights and travel tips and sometimes can lead to the best friendships moving forward.
The most important rule when it comes to solo travel: stay safe! Share your travel plans with a friend or a family member, research your destination beforehand, choose well-rated accommodations in safe areas and trust your instincts.
If something feels off, trust your instincts and change your plan. Solo travel is a chance to sharpen your intuition, and feeling prepared will allow you to fully enjoy the adventure without worry.
5 Travel accessories I always have with me
All right my friends, time to get packing for your first solo trip. Below are my favourite 5 travel accessories I never travel without.
Yes, these items might all be more practical than beauty-oriented, but I know you know your beauty faves, and when it comes to solo travel, you will quickly learn that practicality counts!
Enjoy – as always, with 🖤 from me to you!
This bag is absolute magic. It is super lightweight and comes with a separate compartment with extra protection for your laptop and a roomy main compartment inside the bag to hold all your travel essentials. If you don't use the bag for travelling it can also be used as a work bag, laptop bag, gym bag, casual shoulder bag, etc.
Stay connected wherever you go with this super small, yet highly powerful USB power bank. This power bank comes with two cables and one USB output port, which can power up to 3 smartphones at once.
This travel adapter is super compact and you can use it almost anywhere in the world covering North America, the UK, most of Europe, Australia, Japan, the Middle East and China.
By far the best water bottle, beautifully designed, available in lots of different colours, and made of premium stainless steel. Rest assured you will find your perfect match.
Designed by emergency care experts this medical travel kit is packed with must-haves for minor injuries - stay prepared anytime and anywhere.
Conclusion and final thoughts
Solo travel is more than just a journey to new places, it is an opportunity for a journey inward, an opportunity to discover who you truly are far away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Solo travel challenges you to grow in ways you never expected, it helps you to build resilience, and foster independence and a deeper connection with yourself.
The lessons you learn on a solo trip stay long after your return, shaping your view and perspective on the world, empowering you to step into a happier and healthier version of yourself supporting you to develop a sense of purpose and build a life that truly matters to you.
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Stay wild,
Nicolle
Featured image by: Photo by Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash
Hi, I am Nicolle, a Senior Marketing professional, certified Yoga Teacher and Wellness Blogger. I am the founder of Let Your Shadow Shine Yoga and this blog. I am here to support you along your self-discovery journey, offering empowering tools like yoga, holistic well-being tips and transformative personal growth strategies.
I love your article. I travel solo too and I love it, connections with fellow travelers is so interesting. Your tips are useful
and your items to go with are cool.
Awww, so happy to read this, thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. Big YES to solo travel fellow travel friend 😉
Most of my solo travel has been long road trips (well, my fur child was with me!), but I always wanted to take a solo trip to The Netherlands to visit the Anne Frank House. Maybe I will someday! These are great tips, plus travel necessities. Thank you!
I LOVE road trips!!! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment Kat, much appreciated.
Happy to hear you enjoyed this blog post and the travel necessities. I hope you get to go to the Netherlands one day and if you do, you have to try Poffertjes, the Dutch pancakes 😉