10 Reasons You Should Consider Traveling Alone At Least Once In Your Lifetime

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1. It’s one of the most empowering things you’ll ever experience in your life.

There’s nothing like embarking on a courageous journey alone. Even if you never travel again by yourself you’ll always look back and be appreciative you forced yourself out of your comfort zone.

2. You can go wherever you want.

Thinking of backpacking throughout SE Asia? Want to volunteer in Ghana? One of the greatest things about solo travel is that you can literally go wherever you want without someone else’s hesitations, budget, and schedule in mind.

3. Often people look out for you more when you’re alone.

When you tell locals you’re traveling by yourself they seem to go into Mom or Dad mode. They want to help you out in whatever way they can whether it’s giving you tips on how to be safe in the area, suggesting great places most tourists miss, or even opening their homes for a meal or a place to stay.

4. You can travel on your own schedule.

You don’t have to worry if your travel partner doesn’t feel like checking out that museum or going zip-lining for the afternoon. Want to skip the next planned city on your itinerary and go off on an adventure another backpacker told you about? You’re free to make your own schedule as you desire without worrying or feeling guilty if the person you’re traveling with isn’t digging the same thing.

5. It forces you out of your comfort zone.

Traveling alone can seem scary but it can also be extremely exhilarating. When you put yourself in a new environment, cut off from nearly everything you know, your priorities and attitudes about life change in ways you never previously imagined.

6. You’re more open to meeting new people and trying new things.

Traveling with another person can be great but many times you’re so used to having their company and knowing their likes and dislikes you don’t think to engage with others or take a chance on a new experience. When you’re on the road alone you’re more apt to say yes to things because there’s no one holding you back.

7. Although you’re alone you don’t have to worry about being lonely.

Often people assume traveling alone must be a lonely experience but honestly, it’s quite the opposite. Something about the lone traveler attracts others and you’ll find at hostels, restaurants, and other places people are constantly chatting you up.

8. You can indulge without being judged.

Take in all the pad thai, pizza, macaroons or other foreign worldly delights you find on your travels if you so desire without worrying about other people noticing.

9. It gives you the chance to discover things about yourself as you discover the world.

Solo travel is an incredibly powerful and introspective experience that allows you time to really hone in on your thoughts, dreams, and reflections of the world as you experience it.

10. Do it because you want to.

Too often we let fear or comfort of routine stop us from taking life’s greatest risks and end up missing out on truly rewarding experiences. If you want to travel alone stop making excuses. Life will always get in the way if you let it.

For more inspiring reasons on why you should travel, check out Koty’s new book here.

Featured image – mattjeacock