3 Reasons Why You Need a Solo Trip
Have you ever wanted to travel to a particular place but you couldn't find anyone to go with you? Maybe your friends are too busy raising children or maybe traveling isn't a priority in some people's lifestyle and budget. It can be challenging to find people on the same vibe as you when it comes to taking trips.
I used to feel like I was missing out on going places because I had no one to go with me at times. But then I realized that I could just go by myself and still have an amazing time.
Once I got tired of spending my birthdays in the cold weather in New Jersey, I decided that I wasn't going to let anyone hold me back from traveling when I wanted to, just because they could not go. I promised myself that I would make it priority to take at least one solo trip each year, preferably around my birthday.
Let's discuss 3 reasons why you need to book a solo trip.
1. YOU GET TO KNOW YOURSELF ON A DEEPER LEVEL
It's one thing to live alone, or to do daily tasks, commutes, errands, etc by yourself. But to travel by yourself can unlock a new level of self-awareness and self-acceptance.
When you travel solo, you have no one to worry about except yourself. You can eat at anytime you want, sleep for however long you want, and make all of the decisions based on your mood and interests. There is no compromising your peace. You can discover what type of traveler or adventurer you are without the outside influences. You are literally in control of your entire vacation, and it's a beautiful thing.
In the past, I've traveled with people who sometimes wanted to do something completely different from what I wanted to do. Or I found myself in places where I didn't want to be because I knew I couldn't leave my friends in situations that could've been unsafe for them. (Speaking of safety, if that's a concern for you when considering solo travel, just know that there are PLENTY of safe places for solo travelers. You just have to do your research and ask people who have had their own experiences.)
2. YOU ARE CONSTANTLY DOING FOR OTHER PEOPLE
Maybe you're a mom, a teacher, care-taker, or a therapist. Most of your day revolves around serving other people and making sure others are taken care of.
Who's taking care of you?
I've met so many moms throughout my fitness career who cannot wait to take just one hour for themselves at some point during the week. Unfortunately, some can only manage to take one day to do something that makes them feel good. But that's definitely not enough. What if you had 4-6 days of complete alone time to just be present and prioritize self-care?
While some people may read this and think, "Yeah right. That's easy for you to say because you don't have kids". Or "My husband would never let me leave the kids that long with just him". I can assure you that if you were serious and committed to making that trip happen for yourself, you absolutely could.
You can do anything that you truly want to do. People find ways to make things happen all the time.
3. SOLO TRAVEL BUILDS CONFIDENCE
There's something about a woman who can just get up and go without needing anyone else. Most of the time we haven't taken the steps to book that solo trip because we are afraid of what other people may think about us. We've been conditioned as women to be dependent on other people because "looking lonely" is unattractive or strange. If we're seen out by ourselves at dinner, someone could think that we are incapable of finding a partner or that we don't have friends.
Let me tell you right now that the people who are judging and making those assumptions are probably only doing so people they are afraid to be seen by themselves. They most likely don't have the confidence to sit at a bar alone, or get on a plane solo. So when you go against the grain and you do things that you could possibly be judged for, you build confidence in yourself.
Also the fact that you were able to make your own accommodations and move around safely while embracing your own company is THE biggest accomplishment. Being self-sufficient builds character and allows you to see your capabilities in life.
