What I've Learned Through Solo Travels
Learning How to Be You Through Solo Travels
I have been traveling by myself for a year now and I have learned a lot along the way. I'm hoping that I've changed as a person, but I guess my friends and family will be the judges of that. And I know I've gone on and on about how this year has changed my life and everyone should take the opportunity, and this post isn't about that. It's about the things that you can learn through solo travels.You learn how to rely on yourself.
You learn how to read maps without (much) help from others. You learn how to get around cities or places without a GPS. You learn to trust your instincts. There's no one that will do it all for you, and that's empowering.
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| Royal Palace, Amsterdam |
You learn to go with the flow.
No schedules. No time commitments. No goals other than the ones that you set for yourself. Which means you can go where the wind takes you.
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| Tower Bridge, London |
You learn what makes you happy and how to make yourself happy.
You learn how to be content with yourself by doing the things you like. You're never bored when traveling alone because the whole point is going on adventures that YOU want to have.
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| Lisbon, Portugal |
You learn how to communicate with others.
Going to most foreign countries, you can use a little English to get by. But you want to be polite by speaking their language, so you learn thank you and please, and then you use a lot of smiles and hand gestures from there. The point is that you learn how to break down language and cultural barriers.
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| The Duomo, Milan |
You learn to try new things.
Whether it's food or activities, risk taking is a must when it comes to solo travels. I decided to try going to art museums, and while I can't look at a painting for more that five minutes, I have learned to appreciate art. You never know until you try something.
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| Churchill Selfie in Brussels |
You learn about yourself.
You learn what you like. You learn how to take care of yourself. And you learn how to make yourself happy (if you didn't already). You learn what your insecurities are, you learn what you're good at, and you learn how to be content with yourself.
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| Berlin, Germany |
Maybe it's growing up, maybe it's becoming more self aware, maybe it's the travels, or maybe it's all of them combined. Whatever the reason is, solo travels, especially prolonged travels, change you.
Someone said to travel is to take a journey into yourself. I think you would agree with this wouldn't you? Happy travels!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a great statement! I must remember that for later. It is so true!
DeleteGreat time in your life for solo travel :)
ReplyDeleteIt is the perfect time!
DeleteI totally agree with you that solo travel does change you. As a teenager, I attended school in Japan as part of a student exchange program, where I lived there and learned to speak and write their language and learn their culture. That type of experience does help you to develop well and prepared me for much more travel in my adult life. Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThis must have been an amazing experience. You can learn so much through other cultures and learning to adapt. It teaches you so many things.
Deletetraveling is a way to see the world in a way you haven't before, great post !
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteI'm a hopeless introvert and love taking trips by myself! The good thing is I have a super supportive husband at home. Every now and then when the walls of life feel like they're closing in I take a trip somewhere. It doesn't really matter where, but the time away gives me a fresh perspective and helps clear my mind. x
ReplyDeleteThat is so nice that your husband supports you and that you can take the time for yourself! Traveling is always great for that!
DeleteYou are really amazing and I agree with you solo travel can change you and I wish I can experience solo travel too and to have a space for all my struggles
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! When you get the opportunity, it is challenging at times, but so rewarding!
DeleteIt's the same feeling when I see foreigners in our country. It's a great thing knowing Nigerians feelings about it too.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine it is!
DeleteWhile traveling with friends can be fun, I'm a strong proponent of solo travel. As you say, you learn so is much about yourself and the experience itself is more freeing than anything else in this world.
ReplyDeleteYes, traveling with friends is fun! And so is solo travel! I guess that means travel in general is fun! lol
DeleteI can imagine that going out and traveling on your own would change you quite a bit. And yes you would need to try to become self sufficient as much as you possibly could. What I found out on my travels is that there are a lot of good people out there.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many nice people out there. I had never lived away from home, until I moved to France, so you learn as you go.
Deletemy favourite post to read cos i completely agree with you - i have stopped waiting for friends who takes ages to come on these trips so i just go and since then its been great
ReplyDeleteThank you! I agree, while it's nice to travel with friends, everyone is always at a different place in their life. Now is the right time for you! :)
DeleteYou are not living right if you are not traveling. I am happy to let you know that you are living your life to the absolute maximum & I am not living at all! To travel one day with no worries is the day I await.
ReplyDeletewww.nmdiaries.com
There's always worries when you travel. Is it too expensive? Can I do this? What if? But once you're ready to take the risk it is worth it and things will fall into place! And I am sure that you are living life! We each do it differently and thats great! :)
DeleteBeautiful lessons! There's nothing more awesome than traveling and being able to travel alone gives you plenty of opportunities to learn more about yourself.
ReplyDeleteSo true!
DeleteI'm always so envious of people who are brave enough to travel alone. It's something I'd love to be able to do when the kids have left school and no longer need me, but I'm such a wuss and hate doing anything by myself!
ReplyDeleteLouise x
I get it! When you're used to always being around people it is a change. Try a weekend trip somewhere close by sometime, maybe that will give you a taste (and maybe a mommy vacation!)
DeleteI have never solo traveled but I bet it would be quite the experience. I would love to do this at least once!
ReplyDeleteI recommend it to everyone, it is very liberating!
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