Solo travel has surged globally, with millennials and Gen Zs leading this trend, citing a desire for self-discovery and independence, and forming a new cultural norm of travelling alone. So why is it so popular and why should you give it a go?
Self discovery
Solo-travelling gives you the opportunity to self-reflect. When you’re in a new environment without the influence of familiar faces, you are able to better understand what your strengths and limitations are, as well as your likes and dislikes. Through the exposure to new cultures, you gain a new perspective, leading you to become more open-minded or develop a broader worldview. It can even help you gain insight into your life, your goals and your priorities, things which are usually harder to figure out amongst the busy routine of everyday life.
Being outside your comfort zone
Whether it’s trying new foods, attempting a new language, participating in activities you had never considered doing before, it allows room for personal development and forces you to step outside of your comfort zone.
Flexibility and freedom
You are in control of everything. You can choose your destinations, activities, schedule without needing to compromise to suit others you’re travelling with. With this comes freedom. A freedom to follow your interests without any constraint. If you want to wake up early and watch the sunrise, you can do that. If you are craving a specific type of food, you can eat that. If you want to go sightseeing all day, you can go and do that. No one can tell you “no”. It’s all up to you. As selfish as it sounds, it can actually be really nice every once in a while to just do something because YOU want to do it.
Increases independence & boosts self confidence
From planning your itinerary to navigating a new city, you become confident in your ability to handle challenges and solve problems on your own. There is not another person around for you to lean on for support and therefore you learn to trust your own intuition and judgement. With this comes a sense of accomplishment and resilience. Once you return from your travels, this confidence doesn't just disappear, you feel more equipped to manage certain situations as you can reimagine the times where you overcame such challenges when travelling.
Opportunity to meet new people
Being solo can actually make you more inclined to engage with strangers. Whether this means locals, which helps you to have a more authentic travel experience, or other travellers, who share their experiences and advice. If you go alone, there’s the possibility you will meet others who are doing the same thing. Therefore, you could develop friendships with people from all around the world. But many people wonder how significant these moments are when you interact with a stranger who you may never see again. But the truth is these interactions can have a profound impact. These people may not become life-long friends and you may not even see them again, but this doesn’t make them less valuable. I’ve learnt so many things about myself, about other people and about the world, because of the people I’ve met along my journeys. So, although your intention may be to have a “solo” experience, you don’t have to be alone the whole time.
Solo travel isn’t for everyone. It can be very daunting, uncomfortable and different. But, many find it to be an empowering experience, venturing out on their own, developing a greater appreciation of the world and meeting amazing and unique people along the way.
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