I have personally always been a strong believer that everyone should solo travel at least once in their life. It might be because I started doing it when I was young, but throughout the years I have realised a lot of different reasons as to why I think so. So, if you are unsure about that solo trip you want to book, I have compiled a short list as to why you should start making reservations.

7 Reasons why you should go on that solo adventure
1. Learning to rely on yourself
2. Getting to know yourself more
3. Getting comfortable outside of your comfort zone
4. The freedom of doing what you want
5. A chance for a 100% break from your life
6. You will meet new people (and friends for life)
7. It is a real confidence booster

Let me defend my arguments of why you should go on that solo trip!

1. Learning to Rely on Yourself

When you travel solo, you quickly learn that the only person you can truly count on is yourself. There will be times when you wish there were someone else to lean on, but there is not. Sometimes stranger will come through for you and help, but more often than not you´ll have to depend on yourself.
This kind of independence will foster personal growth, expand your knowledge, increase confidence and improve your problem-solving skills. Though most trips are smooth sailing while some will throw you a curveball. You will handle both of these kind of trips.

2. Getting to Know Yourself more

What do I mean? Of course you already know yourself – your likes and dislikes, occupation, and your circle of people. But how well do you know the you that exist outside your everyday routine?
Solo travel gives you the chance to explore that version of yourself. With no one else’s preferences to navigate around, you can follow your curiousity freely. Want to spend hours at a local market? Try a painting class in a city you’ve never been to? Go for it — no one is stopping you. Traveling solo let´s you reconnect with you on a new level.

3. Getting Comfortable Outside of your Comfort Zone

This is one of the most challenging parts of solo travel – especially on your first trip. To become comfortable outside your comfort zone does not happen over night. Leaving your comfort zone might feel ovewhelming at first, especially when visiting a new country with different culture and language.
Truth is; you only grow when you stretch yourself and expand your boundaries. Over time, it will become more natural to expand beyond your comfort zone and soon after doing so, the moment has become a memory. Solo traveling is one of the best crash courses in becoming comfortable with discomfort. It is a new skill obtained. This does not mean that if you have acrophobia you will go skydiving (if you want, you can!). It might just be trying food you can’t pronounce, chatting with strangers, or dancing at a local festival without caring who’s watching.

4. The Freedom of doing what you Want

Let´s be honest – not all good friends are a great traveling match. And that is totally fine. If you have talked about what each of you want to do and decide to split up for one day or two, that is perfect. Then you can reunite at dinner and talk about your days.

A personal example from me would be:
I have a friend that loves bar hopping and the nightlife, but I am more into culture, food and experiences I can´t get at home. I do venture out on bar hopping and nightlife for a night or two, depending on how long my trip is, but I do not stay out until sunrise every day like my friend does. So even though we have great fun together and enjoy each other´s company, I do not believe we would be a match for traveling.

When traveling solo, there is no one for you to hold back for. There is no need to make a compromise. You can do what you want, join other travelers on their adventure – without of the worry that someone else is bored or disappointed. Solo travel gives you full control over your agenda. If you struggle with indecisions, plan ahead or ask the hotel staff and go for the first thing that catch your attention. The world is your oyster.

5. A Chance for a 100% Break from your life

Let´s be honest – when you travel with friends, the conversations will often go back to usual topics like family, friends, work and responsibilities. Even when you are on a holiday, you will be carrying parts of home with you.
But when you travel solo, that disappears. No one you meet knows your story, unless you share it. It is a rare freedom to be able to reveal just enough about yourself and still be able to completely disconnect from your role and routines at home.
If you need a break from reminders and stress, solo traveling is a wonderful option to get away. Whether you are meeting new people, trying new things or just laying on the beach with your phone on airplane mode, you get to hit reset. Fully and completely.

(Okay, maybe just once in awhile check in to let people know you´re alive.)

6. You will meet New People (and Friends for Life)

Ironically, solo traveling makes you more social and this is coming from an introvert! When you travel with friends, it is easier to just mingle with them. But when you are alone however, it is easier to approach new people and vice versa.
Even when you are not planning to socialize, you might accidentally get talking and spend the next day together or plan a day trip the day after together. These kind of connections are only possible because you are traveling solo at the moment.

Of course, do not follow people blindly, trust your gut! But solo traveling is a great way to make new connections you would not have made otherwise.
I have made friends on day trips, at hostels, with kiteboarding instructors, at restaurants and bars, and from there friendship has formed. I love meeting people at random places of my trip, it is one of the things I love about solo traveling. The people I meet makes the places I visit that more special.

7. It´s a real Confidence Booster

When the solo trip is over – after you´ve navigated unfamiliar places and made memories on your own – your confidence gets a serious boost. Specially if there was challenges included, but even without them you completed your trip. You did it! All by yourself. No matter how little or big of a trip, you should feel proud.
If you think solo traveling is not for you, but you are curious. Here is my advice: just book the flight, then the accommodation and maybe plan a few activities. The confidence will naturally start growing when you take that first step, but it will surge once you are there. The nerves might be there, simmering, but you had the confidence to take the first step and it is often the hardest. After being on your own for a few days, you will discover how capable you truly are. Even if something goes wrong, the fact that you handled it? That is credited to you. It is when you reach home that you will truly feel your confidence boost. The fact that you returned and are okay shows that you can do it again. You will now also be part of a global community of solo travelers who often encourages others to feel the freedom of solo traveling.

These were my two cents on why you should book that solo trip

Solo traveling is for everyone and it does not have any age limit to it. If your first solo travel is at 18 or 81 does not matter. What does matters is the spark inside you for traveling, exploring and going to a destination you want to experience. The only person that is stopping you from becoming a solo traveler is you.

Still unsure about booking that first solo trip? Let me calm your nerves and help you prepare. Check out these two helpful posts to help boost your confidence and get ready to book your next trip.