If you’re not already a fan and haven’t yet embarked on a solo travel adventure, then you need to add this to your list of new year resolutions. We’ve been avid believers of solo travel even before it began trending or was popularised as one of the “cool” things to do. It’s an experience like none other and we’re glad that more people have jumped on the bandwagon – but we’ll like to think of this as more than just a fad or a trend.
Related: Kick Start Your New Year with Practical Resolutions
There are some real key benefits to solo travel (male or female) but we notice that female solo travellers seem to be fewer in comparison to their male counterparts. It could be safety concerns or just perhaps never really taking that leap of faith, but we’re here to assure you that you’ll meet fellow solo travellers along your way and there are great things in store for you, should you pursue this path.
Why are we such fans of solo travel?
Personally, my travel philosophy is as simple as it gets: “Travel. As much as you can. As far as you can. As long as you can. Explore our beautiful world.” The first city I chose to explore on my own was the ever bustling city that never sleeps – New York City.
Boy was I terrified, but I was also overcome by a sense of excitement, liberation, empowerment, curiosity, and I was ready for the adventure that lay ahead in my 2-week trip. Every day I thank myself for taking that bold step because I’ve been making solo trips eversince.
Here are a few reasons it’s great:
- You get to travel at your own pace. You don’t have to wait for anyone or do things you aren’t really into. This is your unwritten journey to create on your own!
- You step out of your comfort zone and we all know that as soon as you do that, that’s when life really begins.
- They say we should do one thing that scares us every single day, well solo travel may account for more than a single day’s worth.
- You’ll make new friends and start building a network across the global sphere! Facebook makes it so easy to keep in touch, and the next time you visit you may have a friend’s place to sleep in.
- You give yourself a chance to get to know yourself better. Go on a journey of self-exploration and discover facets of yourself that may be new to you.
- Your travel journal is going to be filled with stories, observations, feelings, and thoughts that really no money can buy except the experience of traveling on your own.
- It will make you a better person – you’ll see more of the world, you’ll be more informed of different cultures, and you’ll find yourself.
- You’re in a place where nobody knows you and that gives you the freedom to be whoever you want to be in that moment. Insecurities, doubts, fears – push all of that aside. Be whoever you want to be! Be you.
- There’s no better way to immerse yourself in a culture. When you’re alone, you’ll be more keen to and focused to discover what’s unique about the city you’re in – without the distractions of friends and the comfort of traveling with your own herd.
- It helps boost your confidence and you come back realising that all your problems or trials are so tiny, because all around you are cities and the beauty of life that still goes on.
How do you know if solo travel is for you?
There’s no real way to be sure until you give this a go. You might ask yourself a list of questions and then say, it isn’t quite for you. But how do you really know unless you give it a try? You might surprise yourself and open up an entire new world.
If you find yourself unhappy in your current situation, in your cubicle and 9-to-5 job, if you’re constantly seeking to learn more about the world, if you get lost in a good book and yearn for that sense of adventure, then perhaps solo travel will be a great thing for you. But we’re not saying these are the only reasons to travel solo.
You may want to read a few blogs and see if this excites you. You could start off some place not too far, or travel across the world and dive into the deep-end.
10 safest destinations for solo female travellers
According to theblondabroad.com, here are 10 destinations that are safe, that could get you started on your research. In no particular order:
- Iceland
- Scandinavia
- New Zealand
- Thailand
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Ireland
- Bali
- Amsterdam
- A cruise to any part of the world
Stay street smart and do your research
The first thing you need to do when embarking on a solo trip is ensure you have enough research about the destination you’re heading to. Equipping yourself with information and the best ways to travel around a city, or best areas to book your hotel in, etc – can really save you a lot of anxiety.
Of course there are dangers but that exists on a daily basis and you can’t let that stop you. Be street smart and vigilant.
Here’s a great site that has resources about solo travel and a few tips you could tap into – Girl About the Globe.
Get planning and those bags packing!
– Cover Image: huffingtonpost.com
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