5 Reasons to Travel Alone

Having graduated from university last summer I faced the daunting task of planning my future with absolutely no idea what I wanted to do or who I wanted to be. Two things I knew for certain were;

1. I loved travelling and exploring different cultures

2. There was a whole wide world out there waiting for me to see it

So, I decided to postpone adulthood, escape grad-scheme rejections and looming student debt, put my savings to good use and book a trip to the other side of the world. I headed to Heathrow eager to (only slightly ironically) ‘find myself’ and some answers to the big questions of my future.

Being a young woman and travelling alone raised alarm bells for friends, family and strangers alike with ‘you’re so brave’ being the go-to phrase most adults accosted me with over the coming months. The decision to travel alone was, and I suspect always will be, one of the best decisions I have ever made. Life if full of risks but being alive is not living without adventure. These five reasons might just persuade you to travel alone too.

1. Leave your comfort zone and gain self-confidence

Travelling alone is daunting, no-one will deny that. But leaving your comfort zone will slowly but surely result in blossoming self-confidence through the sudden realisation that you can rely on yourself to do anything you put your mind to. For me, being pushed out of my comfort zone quite literally became physicalised when I went canyoneering in Moalboal, The Philippines. Approaching the fifteen feet cliff jump I suddenly became crippled with fear, facing only one way down. Barely knowing the people I had arrived at the canyoneering with and desperately wanting to make a good impression (especially since they were all seemingly fearless), I had no channel for my fear. Instead, I just had to man up and make the jump. Had I been with a friend I know for certain I would have created a scene, emphasising my fear and freaking myself out further. Instead, I jumped, and as the adrenaline rushed through me and the water immersed me, all fear melted away. Travelling alone had forced me to confront my fears and make the literal jump out of my comfort zone. From then on, I was empowered by my solitude and any fears I may have pandered to back home were replaced by a zest for adventure.

https://www.kawasancanyoneering.com.ph

2. It is a million times easier to make friends

At the start of my trip, I spent over an hour trying to muster the courage to speak to two British travellers, at the airport. By the end of the trip, I would (without a second thought) invite a perfect stranger to eat dinner with me. Whilst this new-found friendly disposition would only piss people off in London, being able to make friends in every situation is a skill that will always make your life easier.

3. Spontaneity and freedom- the world is your oyster

Travelling the world undeniably costs a pretty penny, for many it is years of work or inherited money from a treasured relative. With this in mind, you never want to feel that your money is not being spent exactly how you wanted. Travelling alone allows you to dispel any peer pressure and commit to the countries, tours and experiences you truly want to experience. You are the main and only priority. Half-way through my trip I had the opportunity to spontaneously follow some of the friends I had made back to their university in Singapore, a country I had never considered beforehand. The decision to do this was made effortless through travelling alone, it took five minutes on sky scanner and following my gut to tell me I should go.

4. Sofa surf

One of the best ways to save money whilst travelling is by reaching out to family and friends who live abroad and making the most of their hospitality. Finding a bed for one is no real inconvenience most of the time, saving you money and providing the opportunity to see a city with a local tour guide! Whilst in Sydney an old friend was kind enough to let me stay at the university he was doing an exchange at. Not only did this save the hassle of a hostel, but I also got a unique experience of Sydney by staying at a college and meeting lots of Australian’s (in hostels you tend to only meet other travellers). When you are staying in hostels, it is also far easier to book into the best ones. It is always easier to find a bed for one!

5. Live in the moment

I’ll be honest one of the biggest downsides to travelling alone was having to have photos taken by myself, but I soon met new friends to feature in the photos. I also found that being alone meant I really lived in the moment. I would find myself at beautiful beaches, jaw-dropping sunrises and bustling street corners and feel an overwhelming sense of wonder at the world and humbling gratitude for my life. For many young travellers, families and serious relationships are ever approaching realities, making the opportunity to travel alone fleeting. Embrace your own company, do not fear the opportunity to think about and develop your sense of self, you will be rewarded by exciting friendships, invigorating self-confidence and more exhilarating memories than you ever thought possible.

Sunset on Siquijor Island, The Philippines