I’ll be honest—before I took my first solo trip, I was terrified. The idea of navigating a foreign country alone, dining without company, and figuring everything out by myself felt daunting. Would I get lonely? Would I get bored? What if something went wrong? But as much as those doubts swirled in my mind, something inside me knew I had to go.
And I’m so glad I did.
That trip changed me in ways I never expected. It forced me out of my comfort zone, gave me confidence I didn’t know I had, and—most importantly—helped me discover a side of myself that had been buried under the noise of everyday life.
The Freedom to Travel on Your Own Terms
One of the first things I realized when traveling alone was how incredibly freeing it was. No compromises, no waiting for anyone, no feeling guilty for wanting to spend an extra hour at a museum or take a midday nap.
I remember wandering the streets of Florence, stopping at every little café that caught my eye. If I had been with someone else, I might have felt pressured to keep moving. But alone? I could sit there for as long as I wanted, sipping espresso and watching life unfold around me.
You Learn to Trust Yourself
There’s a different kind of confidence that comes with solo travel. It’s one thing to navigate an unfamiliar place with a friend by your side; it’s another to do it alone. You learn to trust your instincts, make decisions on the fly, and solve problems without relying on anyone else.
I got lost in Tokyo once—like, really lost. My phone had no service, and I had no idea how to get back to my Airbnb. In the past, that would have sent me into a panic. But instead, I took a deep breath, walked into a tiny ramen shop, and asked for help in my broken Japanese. The owner didn’t speak English, but she smiled, pulled out a map, and patiently pointed me in the right direction. I made it back safely, and I felt unstoppable.
You Make Unexpected Connections
People assume that solo travel means being alone all the time, but the truth is, I’ve made some of my best travel memories while traveling solo. When you’re by yourself, you’re more approachable. Locals strike up conversations, fellow travelers invite you to join their plans, and suddenly, you’re sharing meals with strangers who feel like old friends.
One night in Thailand, I ended up at a tiny beach bar, sitting around a fire with a group of travelers from five different countries. We swapped stories, laughed about our travel mishaps, and bonded over the fact that we had all taken a leap to travel on our own. I still keep in touch with some of them to this day.
You Gain a Deeper Sense of Self
Solo travel gives you time to think, reflect, and just be. Without the distractions of everyday life, you start to notice things—about the world, about yourself, about what truly makes you happy.
I realized that I love slow mornings, that I find joy in the smallest details (like the way sunlight filters through a window in a Parisian café), and that I’m capable of so much more than I ever gave myself credit for.
Why You Should Take a Solo Trip
I won’t pretend that every moment of solo travel is perfect. There were times when I felt a pang of loneliness, times when I wished I had someone to share a breathtaking view with. But the moments of self-discovery, growth, and pure, unfiltered joy far outweighed any temporary discomfort.
So if you’ve ever thought about traveling alone but felt hesitant—go. Even if it’s just a weekend getaway to a nearby city. Even if it scares you. Especially if it scares you.
Because I promise you—when you step off that plane, when you find yourself standing in an unfamiliar place with nothing but your own two feet to guide you—you’ll realize just how incredible solo travel can be.
And you’ll never be the same again.
