The Moment I Realized I Could Travel Alone

I have always been drawn to travel and adventure. I love experiencing new places and cultures, and pushing myself to try new things. Traveling is exciting and humbling in all of the best ways. It provides learning experiences and memories that'll last a lifetime. But it isn't always easy.

I wouldn't call myself an avid traveler. The last few years of my life have been dedicated to studying or working, so most of my traveling has been through a screen. However, I have taken the occasional trip abroad and am never one to turn down the chance to take another. Recently, I've been working and planning on ways to travel more—fulfilling all my childhood dreams of hang gliding in Brazil or scuba diving in Indonesia or sipping on sangria in Spain with some of my best friends.

I like to consider myself to be a fairly extroverted person. I love human interaction, especially with friends and people I've already formed deep connections with. And traveling is something you want to share with people. There are some things in life that are just worth more in the company of others. But I am no stranger to the concept of time and money—and their correlation to traveling. Many people my age, especially those who don't have the same dreams or desires to travel as I do, don't have or want to spend the time and money it takes to travel. Which is where solo traveling comes into play.

For people who have never done it before, solo traveling can be very daunting. Being alone in another country means relying solely on yourself to get around, pay for meals, plan an itinerary, and more. Safety is also a concern, especially for solo female travelers. But there is also so much empowerment in solo traveling. You decide what you do and how you spend your day. Not a big fan of museums? Then don't go. Want to sleep in? Then sleep in. The choice is yours.

Still, I know it's much easier said than done. But it is possible—even for the most extroverted of people. There are measures, such as staying in hostels or going on group tours, that are in places in so many cities and countries to help solo travelers make friends and connect with others. If you're comfortable approaching people, make friends with your restaurant server or the person sitting next to you on the train. Maybe these friendships don't last more than a couple of minutes. But maybe you've made a friend and a travel companion for the rest of your time in that location.

There will be times when you are alone. There may even be times when you experience loneliness. And maybe you don't want to put forth the effort it takes to make a new friend—because it does take effort, and let's be honest, it doesn't always work. In these times, you have to find ways to accept what it means to be alone. Sit with your loneliness, understand where it's coming from, then fix it. Activities like hiking, going to museums, or going shopping are often done alone or better appreciated when you can move at your own pace. It can be uncomfortable to sit alone at a restaurant, and that's something you have to learn to accept. Because at the end of the day, I promise, no one is focusing on this picture of you and it's your reaction that drives this experience.

The moment I realized I could travel alone was the moment I found comfort and fulfillment within myself. The most important part of traveling alone is understanding the difference between being alone and being lonely. Traveling alone gives people the opportunity to really learn what they like and what makes them happy. It empowers people to make their own choices and develop their independence. Giving yourself the freedom to travel alone is one of the best gifts you could ever have.