Top 10 things I learned as a solo traveler
Last updated: January 1, 2023
The minute I told my friends and family I was embarking on a trip around the world by myself, I received many positive responses and I’m incredibly grateful for that support. I also found many people saying they would never have the courage to do such a thing alone - that it’s terrifying, unsafe, or lonely. By no means is traveling solo always rainbows and butterflies, especially when you’re budget traveling, but I found that the pros outweighed the cons and doubts.
That’s what I want to share with you all. What I gained from this trip has only solidified my desire to continue traveling solo and I hope by sharing what I’ve learned will encourage you to take a solo trip of your own!
You are never truly alone
Any time I was alone, it was because I chose to be. Traveling brought me friends from all over the world! By staying in hostels or guest houses, I came across endless amounts of travelers also looking to make friends along the way. Some I traveled with for 2 weeks and others for up to 4 months at a time. Not to mention, a lot of those people were also solo traveling.
Going off the beaten path calls for authentic experiences
Of course we want to see the most popular places during our travels, but most of those are catered to tourists and are extremely busy and a lot of the culture can be absent. My favorite memories were when I ventured to rural, small towns or villages and where I found the most beautiful experiences.
Getting lost is the best way to explore
When you’re on a mission to go from point A to B, you forget to pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t be afraid to put your map away and get lost in the city! In Spain or Italy, every corner you turn has a new gem for you to see - things you may never have found by looking at a map.
What plan? Just let it flow.
Before my RTW (‘round the world) trip, I had a rough plan of where I wanted to go and when. One month in and that was completely thrown out the window - I started planning no more than a week or two out from my next location, sometimes even just a couple of days prior. My plans would change as I’d meet friends along the way to travel with or get recommendations for places I’d never thought of. There is beauty in being flexible with your travel plans!
Confidence becomes your best friend
Navigating new languages and foreign places alone isn’t easy, but you’ll realize how resourceful you become over time and gain confidence in your traveling abilities.
You gain a better perspective on other cultures
There is nothing like getting a front-row seat to new cultures and immersing yourself in them. You learn how others live and why they do the things they do, what their traditions are, and understand there isn’t one way of life. If you go to a new country to eat the same foods as you do back home or don’t get to know any locals, you are missing out on the authentic experience of traveling!
Comfort zone? Never heard of her.
Picture a square box surrounding you, where it’s safe and comfortable. Now step out of it - that’s where you will live the entire time you are traveling. Every day brings a new experience or challenge that you will face and all you can do is embrace it. Talking to new people daily, trying new adventures, and learning to navigate the unknown are all part of it. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and it will benefit you in all aspects of your life.
You will be the ultimate problem-solver
As a female, I had my fair share of uncomfortable situations in certain countries and I’d say you are almost guaranteed to have something go awry during your travels. When you’re alone, that means you’ve only got yourself to rely on. You’ll learn to trust your instincts and use what you know to make decisions.
You learn a new language everywhere you go
My go-to for every country I visited was asking a local for a list of words and phrases to use during my time there to get by. They appreciate your interest in learning the language and also give you the correct slang that Duolingo or the internet doesn’t teach you. Certain languages can be challenging, but it’s fun and you’ll feel more comfortable getting around.
The freedom to write your own story
Traveling solo may seem scary, but it is the ultimate freedom. Only you get to choose where you go next, who gets to play a role in your book, and what you want to come out of your travels. You discover things about yourself you wouldn’t have found otherwise and that is a gift. If you’re on the fence about going alone, push past those fears and go for it.
