5 Reasons to Travel Alone

Aren’t you afraid everyone is going to be watching you?

What if something happens to you?

What if you get lost? Who will you ask for help?

These are just some of the questions I was asked before I went on my trip. If you live you life by “what if” and “aren’t you afraid” you are going to miss out on so much. This is why I decided to write a post about the 5 reasons to travel alone.

1. You can do what you want when you want. 

That sounds a little snooty, sure, but think about it for a moment. You don’t have to coordinate with a partner or a group of people making sure that everyone gets to do at least one thing they want to do. You can eat where you want, take in the scenery as long as you want, sleep in as late as you want, I mean what more could you as for?

2.  You learn more about yourself then you ever thought possible. 

When I took my trip to Seattle/Portland I was sure I wasn’t going to make it. I was sure I was going to sit in my room all by myself day in and day out! Well that didn’t happen. I told myself I couldn’t let that happen, which actually surprised myself. The biggest thing I learned about myself was how good I was at talking to strangers. I mean I sort of do that for a living, but this time I wasn’t getting paid to do it. I did it because I wanted to. I also faced a lot of my fears. I told myself, when if the next time you are going to be here to be able to do it?

3. You become independent. 

This one actually goes along with number one, but it’s slightly different. I became more independent on my trip. I realized that even when I am at home, I don’t need someone to go hiking with me or go out to eat with. I realized that I can do that and a lot more on my own. I am strong enough to do so. I learned to take it all in. Take every bit of scenery in, take the people, the food, the sky, take everything in.

4. You get really good at problem solving. 

Things are going to happen, unplanned things. Travelling from Seattle to Portland and from Portland to Tampa did not go as planned. Granted while I was in Seattle, I freaked out when I got stranded. (Just ask my friends Graham and Cassie) If anyone were to see me while I was in the train station I was a HOT mess. I was on the edge of a break down. More about that in another post. ANYWAYS, you become really good at figuring out what to do. You basically have to because you have no other choice. I have learned that if you want to learn how do to something/or become better at something you have to just throw caution to the wind and just do it!

5.  You’ll want to travel more by yourself. 

This should be number one! After you travel by yourself for the first time you are going to want to travel again.  This is the stage I am at right now. I want to travel some place new so bad! I keep thinking of where I could go and what I could do. I just don’t know! I have a bucket list and I would love to be able to cross another item off the list I just don’t know where to start! I find this stage to be exciting and motivating because that means to me that going on my last trip was the best idea I ever had!

All of these are to not tell you that you shouldn’t travel with friends and family, but that I enjoyed traveling by myself so much that I think everyone who loves to travel should try traveling by themselves.

Do you have any reason why you love to travel alone? OR what are your reason why  you like traveling with someone? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear them!