4 Reasons You Should Travel Solo (At Least Once!)

{This is a special guest post from coach, trainer and wanderluster, Alyce Pilgrim of Life of Your Terms }

Solo travel is one of the most empowering things you will ever experience.

So my mind boggles when I hear friends or people I get into conversation with shying away from traveling solo.

 You’ll come home with stories of adventure, new experiences and memories of incredible places and sights you've seen. Traveling solo provides a refreshed perspective whereby you see through new eyes. As a woman I think it is something that we need to experience at least once in our life. It can be very liberating and you never know you could find yourself on a soul searching journey of discovery à la Elizabeth Gilbert - Eat. Pray. Love.

My first big solo trip was at 17, from suburban Australia, I was excited to be exploring the big wide world for the first time. I visited the USA and spent six months there as part of an exchange program. Staying predominantly in California, I also traveled to New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC while I was away.

That was some time ago now, but it set the scene for not only a lifetime of travel adventures to a myriad of destinations, but it also paved the way for not letting anything get in the way of where I wanted to head.

Most recently when checking into a flight from Perth to Canada, I was chatting to the check in agent and she said to me “Are you afraid?” I was so perplexed at this question. Fear had not even entered my reality so I said “Of what?” She replied “Of traveling and going half way around the world by yourself?” This hadn't even occurred to me. Why let being by myself stop me? These days while I do prefer to travel the world with my partner in crime and love of my life by my side I’m not about to let being solo stop me in terms of traveling far and wide.

I traveled the world over and I believe that traveling solo is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life.

Don't let fear get in the way when there is an amazing world out there to explore. Here’s why:

You will know freedom

You can travel on your own terms. Want go to the beach? Head to the city? Take pictures? Take it slow? Speed up the pace? Whatever you want, you can do it. Theres no one else to contest it. Sometimes when traveling with others you are bound to run into the back and forth of ”What do you want to do?” so everyone gets the opportunity to express what they want to do and that everyone is happy. As a solo traveler the only person you have to cater for is yourself.

Your independence, resourcefulness and confidence will soar

Traveling solo you will come to rely on yourself. No leaning your boyfriend, bestie or family to take charge. It’s all you baby. It can be extremely liberating and rewarding. If less than desirable stuff happens on the road - like plane delays or flight cancellations or hotel mix ups - you will find a solution. Traveling sans companion you become incredibly resourceful and confident in your own abilities. Don't know how to get from one part of the city to the other? Not sure which train to take? Want to know an amazing local restaurant? You will become comfortable with sourcing this information yourself. Whether it’s by fumbling your way through the local language, chatting to the concierge or asking someone, you will find a way. In turn your confidence and independence will soar in a way that it only can when you travel solo.

It’s the perfect time for reflection

Traveling solo usually means there will probably be quiet times. Perfect for reflecting on your life and where things are headed. It’s the perfect opportunity to pay attention to your thoughts. And you might even discover things about yourself that you didn't realise before. You’ll have the chance to write down ideas or thoughts that you might otherwise be too busy or clouded to capture. Traveling by yourself is a wonderful chance to reflect and take stock of your life. Traveling solo will challenge you, it will change you and you will learn more about yourself in a short space of time. You learn to become comfortable with your own company.

You will break free from your comfort zone

They say that unless it challenges you, you don't grow from a situation. And that change doesn't come from inside your comfort zone. Traveling solo certainly helps you break free from the old boundaries of your comfort zone. In this space, you are more likely to meet new people and be open to new experiences.

Happy Solo Travels,

Alyce 

About Alyce

Alyce Pilgrim is a fiercely passionate success coach, Master NLP practitioner, writer and travel addict who believes life is too short to be living a life you don’t love the pants off. 

A wanderluster, adventure seeker and the founder of Life On Your Terms she has helped clients to quit soul sucking jobs, triple their business revenue and take risks they never thought possible.

Her stories and tips have been featured in AWOL (Qantas’ youth travel site), Inspired COACH and I Am Woman.

When she’s not chasing adventure around the globe or helping her clients bust through procrastination, doubt and fear, you can find her spending time with the love of her life, at the beach or planning her next sojourn.

You can connect with Alyce Life On Your Terms, Facebook, Instagram or via email.