The Necessity of Taking a Solo Trip

Since I’ve become more immersed in the travel community worldwide, I have noticed how polarizing solo travel is to people. Some people think it’s utterly preposterous, and some can’t go a month without a solo trip. I’m of the mindset “you do you”...which is how I live most of my life and how my brain has come to work. It works for me. The first trip I took by myself was hardly given any thought. I just booked it. I was living in Atlanta, GA, had been in a seriously rocky and dysfunctional relationship, and knew the necessity of taking a solo trip for myself. Naturally, I booked a trip to London, because why not London? My decision was based on “it’s far away, and they speak English.” Done. Off I went, and it was the beginning of a great appreciation for traveling alone (but not lonely).

Impromptu Trip up to Heidelberg Castle at Night

It's a Confidence Builder

Staying in one’s comfort zone is kind of lame, right? What is life all about? Learning. Exploring. Enjoying new things. Stretching past your comfort or familiar zones. It’s not to say that familiar things are not enjoyable, but mixing it up creates that old adage “variety is the spice of life.” Because it is. I happen to like a big combination of both. My morning and evening routines are amazing, but I also love that I don’t know exactly what will pop into my brain on any given day and what I might do with that thought. When I discovered solo traveling (when it popped into my brain and I acted on it - sometimes you don’t need to mull things over for years) I saw how much stronger it made me. It gave me confidenceIt gave me confidence. That silly, stupid, emotionally wrecked guy I was dating propelled me to leave, but what I gained while traveling alone gave me the elixir that I needed to tell him to f*** off ultimately. How could that have been a bad thing?

Enjoying a spot of tea

You Get to Know Yourself Better

What better way to get to know who you are than to take yourself on a whole trip. By yourself! Yes, some people would rather eat rocks than sit with themselves for more than 23 seconds, but I guarantee, you might be better company than you think. When I go on solo trips, I like to take a book (I do Kindle), and I also take my iPad to do some journaling. I am normally journaling on paper, but on trips I go either way. Back to the book idea, though. Take a book that will help you grow into yourself. I have tons of recommendations that will help you give yourself some space...for yourself. You might even like hanging out with yourself (and maybe hanging out with your pets, like I do) better than anyone else on the planet. After years of self-criticizing, I realized finally that I am my best friend. I can always count on me to be there. That is definitely something I have learned from taking a solo trip.

Risa and Me

Have a Conversation with a Stranger

You’re not 3 years old anymore, my friend. This is not a message to go out when you’re smashed at 2 am and have someone cajole you into something nefarious because you don’t have your wits about you. I’m saying that when you’re traveling by yourself, you might be open to meeting people who potentially are pretty awesome. It’s doubtful I would’ve ever met my friend, Risa, if I had gone to Salem, MA with someone. Risa and I were both in a museum at the same time. I asked her to take a photo of me doing something silly, and we found out that we were on the same tour at the same time that evening. We went on said tour, then went to dinner. Although we didn’t speak for another year, I ended up joining her virtual book club that was life-changing. Now, we are life long friends. She was a gift that I got from simply taking a trip by myself and putting myself out there. Consider it, friends. Open yourself up to the possibility of amazing strangers. They may just end up in your life for the long haul.

Hooray! No One Telling Me Not to Eat a Donut for Lunch

No One is Chiming In

Is there anything worse than sacrificing part of your trip for someone else’s needs or wants? Especially if you can't (won't) detach from one another during the trip. This may come across as selfish, but guess what? It’s ok to be selfish sometimes. No one has been jailed for that as far as I know. For example, my eating schedule is not dictated by my stomach. Eating late for a first meal is a regular thing for me, and sometimes only a donut for lunch. Or dinner. Have you ever been on a trip with a rigid eater who eats on a schedule? Has to have a square meal for every meal? STOP EVERYTHING! I HAVE TO EAT NOW! When you go on a trip with someone, many times you end up doing what each other wants even if the other doesn’t want to, especially if you’re a people pleaser. While traveling alone, nothing like that happens. And hell, maybe I do eat rigidly. No one will ever know!

Merlin and me planning my next solo trip

Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About

People love to cast their opinions of solo travelers. The ones who don’t have the guts to do it love to act like you’re out of your mind. Most are jealous. Some are too insecure. Some have partners that “wouldn’t permit it.” No thanks! I am not that person. You don’t have to be either. You’re stronger and more capable than you think. Taking a solo trip is a great way to prove that to yourself, and to others. Not that I ever think a person should do things to prove something to someone. Let’s be real, though. We all do it. I love the surprise when I tell people I’m going somewhere alone. It gives me the giggles and validates my independence and strength as a woman and as an adult. If people are going to talk about me, I hope it’s because of stuff like this. So let’s give those suckers something to talk about, shall we?

Dreaming about my future wine consumption

I’m Sure There Are Other Reasons, But….

I don’t need to give you any. These are enough to get you going. Don’t feel obligated to put yourself on a plane to Europe as your inaugural solo trip. Perhaps a little road trip 1-2 hours away would be perfect for you. Maybe even a “staycation” in your own city. A lunch out by yourself? Anything to do by yourself would be pretty awesome. You’ll get to ask yourself all sorts of interesting questions. The best part is that you can answer them honestly. Uh oh! Now we’re cooking with fire! My encouragement is sincere, friends. Do yourself the pleasure of once, just once, taking yourself on the most epic journey and taking a solo trip. In fact, I think I’m going to go plan my next one now. Thank you for giving me that idea!

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