It will push you outside your comfort zone
While solo travelling is exhilarating, it is not exactly comfortable. It can be completely nerve-wreaking to think to yourself, “I am completely on my own!” But being by yourself pushes you to go outside your comfort zone. Even the very act of going alone is being outside your comfort zone. And doing this is really good for you. It makes you into a fearless person who is ready to take on the world. You will learn how to be more outgoing, how to take risks, and how to really go for the things you most want in life.
You will meet more locals
If you are a born extrovert, traveling alone can be a wonderful way to meet locals and make new friends. Often, people who are alone appear more approachable to others. Before you know it, you could be chatting with some interesting folks at a sidewalk cafe or even joining a group of like-minded people for yoga on the beach. The key is to keep an open mind while keeping safety in mind, especially in a foreign land.
You will learn more about yourself
When you are alone, you are forced to be with yourself. This is something that many people avoid constantly, whether it is through being with friends, watching TV, or surfing the web. For some people, the worst thing they can think of is being completely alone. And I admit, it is uncomfortable at first. But what you gain from it are revelations about yourself that you were never conscious of. It allows you to see how you have been living your life, how you want to live it, and what you will do moving forward. If you are lost in life, taking a solo trip is the perfect way to find direction.
You have financial control completely
Want to blow a ton of money on a waterfront room? Go for it. Want to spend next to nothing on food? Do you want to go only to free museums, events and attractions? Keep your money. As a solo traveler, you have the last word on every dollar you spend.
Not every choice has to work out
When traveling with others, we are often selective about suggesting activities that we hope everyone will enjoy and find a good use of precious vacation time. If one of these activities does not work out, it can be a source of guilt and conflict. If you make the wrong choice on a solo trip, there is no one to worry about other than yourself, and you will not feel guilty for ruining someone else’s travel day.
You will be more confident
Some consider solo travel as a brave endeavor. I do not think of going solo as brave because if you plan properly, you will be ready for whatever comes your way. The more research you do on a destination (safety, cultural norms, language, etc.), the better prepared you will be to handle anything. Even if you are not fully prepared, stepping out of your comfort zone by traveling somewhere alone will help you gain confidence to take on the world. It will offer opportunities to learn how to face various types of scenarios.