Three Reasons to Plan Your Next Trip Solo

Whether it’s my current inability to travel or the lack of freedom associated with staying at home for nearly a year now, I find myself reflecting on my solo travel days. I have always found solo travel to benefit my soul in more than one way. Discover my three reasons to plan your next trip solo.

1. A solo trip allows you to create your own itinerary.

How many times have you planned trips with friends, family, or significant others? How many times have you actually gone on those trips? Stop waiting for others to coordinate your next adventure. When you travel alone, you get to go where you want, when you want. I will admit, my first solo travel trip I found myself wishing I could share these amazing sights with those I love. However, I overcame this feeling by taking videos and pictures to share once I returned home.

 

2. Traveling alone encourages you to meet new people.

There is comfort in traveling with loved ones. You have built-in social connections, a support group when things go haywire, and people to share memories with. Yet, you may find yourself relying on these loved ones too much. Traveling solo encourages you to get out and meet locals or other travelers. While traveling alone in Italy, I made memories with new people through hostel stays, group wine tours, and my study abroad classes. While I may not talk to these people every day, I smile back on our memories and share stories with my loved ones back home.

 

3. Solo travel increases your self-confidence.

I tell this solo travel story a lot because, as a 19-year-old, it was my first experience feeling like I could tackle anything heading my way. When returning back to the United States from Italy, after a sleepless night spent with friends, I experienced multiple delays causing me to miss all but one flight back into the U.S. There is a certain level of panic associated with waiting in a three-mile-long line to talk to a customer service representative as the overhead board declares you have an hour before the final flight to the U.S. takes off. I was so desperate to get back to the States, I begged the employee to get me anywhere in America and I would figure out how to get back to Detroit. (This was dramatic, yes. However, sleep deprivation had set in and I felt I needed to be back in my comfort zone.)

 

Nine hours later I was sitting in an airport in Georgia. After more delays, I got in line to board only to be told I was not on the flight (an issue the representative in Amsterdam said may occur). I explained my situation, advocated for myself, and asked them not to close the gate before the issue was resolved. I landed in Detroit at 3 a.m., tired, but feeling as if I could accomplish anything. Not only had I navigated two new countries by myself, but I successfully addressed conflict with people twice my age. (Hello, my fellow Gen. Z’s who struggle with this!)

 

Long story short, if you need a sign to plan your next trip solo, let this be it.

Cassie Malhado

Cassie Malhado is the founder of This Boundless Life. Traveling continues to give Cassie a new perspective on the world, a level of independence she never dreamed of having, and defines her personal development journey. She hopes you enjoy following along on her adventures.

https://www.thisboundlesslife.com
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