What I Wish I Knew Before Traveling Alone

Hello, my adventurous friend!

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. Having traveled solo several times, I can say it definitely has its pros and cons. As much as I enjoy it, I also find it challenging at times—especially when staying for extended periods, as I have in places like Scotland and Italy. However, solo travel is an incredible opportunity to learn more about yourself and build a deeper connection with the world around you. Here are three of my personal biggest pros and cons:

Off to another destination

Pros: 

👉 Stepping out of my comfort zone.

As a shy, introverted person, putting myself “out there” has always been tough. From when I was little — making friends or speaking in front of a classroom; to my adult life — introducing myself to others, asking someone out, etc. It was a challenge. Traveling solo forced me to interact with people and with the world around me. I learned a lot about myself, and broke down some old patterns & behaviors that weren’t what I wanted to have. And I’ll be real with you, it can, & usually is, hard. But the growth is worth it. Which brings me to the next point. 

👉 New perspectives. We are often influenced by the views & opinions of others. While traveling solo, I learned a lot more & established a deeper connection with myself. I began viewing certain situations from different “sides” in new perspectives. It opened my mind & heart, bringing fresh thoughts into my consciousness & changing the way I saw the world. Even my surroundings and myself started to show up in a new light. In short - experiencing this expanded my mind, my views of the world & of myself. 🥰

Visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence

👉 Complete freedom.

The best part of solo travel is the freedom to do exactly what you want, when you want. It is so liberating to be able to do just that. No one is getting upset or getting deterred from wanting to see or do anything that they want to. My time is my time during solo travels, as yours is yours. Spend it any way you like — eat at any restaurants you want, visit any sight your heart desires, sleep in or get up early & get going. Something interesting caught your eye while walking in Porto? great! go explore it. Have fun! Enjoy! No one is there to stop you. Solo travel is all about enjoying your own time & indulging your own wants. 

Cons: 

👉 The loneliness.

Being alone for extended periods can be tough. We as humans are “herd animals” & need social interaction. And even though I loved my time in places like Edinburgh & Castiglion Fiorentino, there were moments of loneliness. It was especially hard during difficult times, like when I spent three weeks in Budapest while battling non-stop anxiety & depression. It was a bad decision on my part & I would highly recommend to AVOID traveling solo while going through any kind of heightened mental health moments. [This is not a medical advice. I am not a health care provider, nor a doctor, just speaking from personal experience.] Always listen to yourself & be mindful of your mental health. 

👉 Selfies are great, but…

Yet sometimes you might want a full-body shot with a scenic view instead of just your face. Asking strangers to take your photo can lead to awkward moments — but are they good at it 🤔? Or do  they *snap-snap* & walk off before you can even check it 🥺🏃? While at other times, there might be no one around to ask.

I took my share of selfies & asked people to take my picture [& then to retake it to the point where I felt so embarrassed] — but eventually, you might get the shot you want, or at least a decent one. I love it when people know to take multiple snaps so you don’t have to ask for retakes because one of them has to be good. They got it covered!

The Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Sight in Lisbon, Portugal

👉 Feeling unsafe walking around after dark.

Depending on the destination, some places are safer than others. For example, I felt absolutely comfortable in Edinburgh & Inverness, yet Glasgow felt & is known to be more dangerous. Again, be mindful of your surroundings & don’t go wandering in dark, empty alleyways, especially after dark. Stick to well-lit areas where other poeple are present. I’d recommend getting a pepper spray & a whistle for extra peace of mind. Remember about pickpocketers, they operate at any time of day & some places are more notorious for them [first place that comes up for me is Barcelona]. So, an anti-theft bag or purse is a great investment. I still use mine in all of my travels. You can see it in this picture from when I first visited Lisbon.

That said, don’t constantly stress-out about pickpocketing, dark streets, & safety on your trips. Just be aware of your surroundings, like you would at home, & enjoy the experience!

Whether traveling alone is right for you or not, it’s a unique & rewarding way to explore the world. Maybe some of the points might resonate with you, or maybe only a few. However you travel, travel in the way you enjoy! ✈️🧭🧳🌍