Why I Travel Solo

Posted on February 10, 2010 - by Guest

Welcome to guest blogger, Andy Hayes. Andy is a professional writer, published author, and probably not
as introverted as he’d have you think. He’s the editor of Sharing Travel Experiences, an online magazine that
shares rich and authentic travel stories, whether they’re solo travel or not. Click over and check it out –
maybe you’ll find the inspiration you’ve been looking for.

Empty seats along the promenade at Birzebugga

There’s an awful lot of talk about whether one should travel solo or not. Sure – there are issues like safety, security, and your own physical health that influence a decision like that. But the bottom line is only one person can make that decision: YOU. I’m not going to tell you whether it’s right or wrong to travel solo, and nor can the next person. What I can do is tell you a bit about why I mostly travel solo. I hope it leads you to some internal thought and possibly a better idea of what kind of travel is best for you.

Travel Solo to Reflect. Maybe it is because I’m a writer or perhaps I’m a bit of an introvert. (Those of you that know me, stop rolling your eyes!) No, really, when I travel I like to soak up the experience. Notice the details. Feel something – the sounds, the taste, the smell. As a solo traveler, you can give your undivided attention to the experience. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy myself or the destination with another person – just to say that when I’m alone, it maximizes the potential for personal reflection.

Travel Solo for Flexibility. I am location independent so my businesses come with me while I travel – that’s what enables me to travel a lot. So I need to be a tad flexible; if a client is having a major issue, I like to be able to take a timeout and solve it so I can move on without having that on the back of my mind. Plus if say it is rainy, I can choose to spend the day holed up in a café instead of out in the thick of it, without having to negotiate it with someone else.

Travel Solo to Go All the Way. Sometimes I like to do stuff a little towards the edge of the box. And I find it hard to find a travel companion who’s in for the ride. (Ok, there are one or two I know – hi if that’s you!) For example, when I was in Fox Village in rural New Zealand there was a problem with my luggage. It’s a very long story but the thing was I didn’t have any proper shoes, just sandals. But I had planned on seeing sunrise on mirror lake the next day. It was going to be the only sunny morning so I had to go. Alarm clock at 4:30AM, 3 miles on a bicycle [no lights], and then a trek through the woods using my mobile phone as a guide [yeah, I know – no luggage]. Oh, and did I mention it was absolutely freezing and I had on sandals? And the mosquitoes? Anyway – that sunrise was priceless. Truly priceless.

Travel Solo to Understand Uncomfortableness. Ok, so I know that isn’t really a word, but it’s about being uncomfortable, so let’s get started, shall we? I’m a worrier by nature, and add introvert on top of that and I’d probably be happy in the corner of a coffee shop with dim lighting or maybe a padded cell would be better. But solo travel forces me to do all the uncomfortable stuff, because there isn’t anybody else to do it. Eating dinner alone, navigating complicated train stations, forcing conversation in foreign tongues – that stuff is hard even when you’ve got a teamwork thing going on. But solo? Yeah, it’s mildly terrifying. But it builds confidence, builds character, and makes you a better person. So lean into the uncomfortableness and roll with it.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like to download the
FREE ebook: GLAD YOU’RE NOT HERE: a solo traveler’s manifesto.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 10:20 pm and is filed under Perspectives. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

10 Comments

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February 13, 2010

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Andy Hayes said:

Thanks for the comments everyone.

Joanna, hell yes sometimes even travelling with a companion requires a healthy dose of courage!
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February 11, 2010

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Julie said:

Hi Andy!

Thanks for the insight and I couldn’t agree with you more! Travelling alone can be rewarding, especially when reach a goal that you’d been trying to achieve.

I also got the funny looks from acquintances about travelling alone. But really, how else can you do what you want, at your own pace?

At the same time though, it can be tough especially if you’re travelling for long periods of time. For me, it sometimes felt like you’d meet great people and get to know each other for a few days, only to part ways a few days later and have to do it all over again at the next hostel. It’s tiring and at those moments is when you start craving a good friend to chat with.

I don’t regret it and would certainly travel alone again. It allows for much needed personal reflection and probably let me meet some people that I likely wouldn’t have otherwise. But I now know my limits and how to travel both alone and with a buddy.

Cheers!
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February 11, 2010

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JoAnna said:

I see most people point out number 4 as being the thing that draws them most to solo travel. Honestly, it’s what pushes me away from it. But when I travel solo, I find it to be exhilarating because I am uncomfortable. Nonetheless, it takes a healthy bout of courage to get going on my own.
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February 11, 2010

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Gray said:

Nice, Andy. Those are all great reasons. I, too, like the last one. I think it’s the uncomfortable part that keeps a lot of people from traveling solo, but really, it’s one of the best things about it. It really forces us to step outside our comfort zones. The feeling of empowerment you get once you’ve successfully accomplished something that terrifies you is awesome.
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February 11, 2010

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annie said:

Four for four! I really agree on each point. I started traveling solo right after September 11th and have tackled just about every one of my life fears so far. The ability to make my own choices without consulting with fellow travelers (always a chore!) is wonderful. Best of all, being able to be QUIET and observe, learn, interact, absorb…priceless.
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February 11, 2010

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Andi said:

Like the name!

I couldn’t agree with you more!!! I just returned from a solo-trip to Brasil and you can’t imagine the reactions I got from people when I told them that I was traveling alone (especially since I’m a female). Everyone thought I was just plain crazy! But, I had the most extraordinary adventure AND you really are never alone when you’re traveling. You’re constantly meeting people.
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February 11, 2010

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Mara said:

I enjoy the freedom of deciding when and where to go!
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February 11, 2010

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Stephanie said:

The last reason you mentioned- “uncomfortableness,” is a major motivator for me. When I travel solo I ma forced to push my boundaries in a way that I wouldn’t if I had the security of a buddy. The results are usually amazing.
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February 11, 2010

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Joei Carlton Hossack said:

Hi Andy: I am a gray-haired, old woman and I’ve been traveling the world solo since my husband passed in 1992. I am a total extrovert and being solo allows me to talk to anyone and everyone without hurting anyone’s feelings. I love it.
Joei