The benefits of solo travel

 The benefits of solo travel

Traveling alone, whether for a weekend in New York or a month in Indonesia, can be daunting. Of course, there's the security aspect that puts many of us off, especially if we're women.

However, when we travel intelligently and carefully, the risks are generally quite low. No, what often worries many people is finding themselves alone, in an unknown place, and having to draw on their personal resources. 

And above all, solo travel requires you to look at yourself in the face, your thoughts and your emotions, without any artifice to distract you. It's a highly enriching experience, although full of challenges, that I recommend everyone try at least once in their life.

Travel to Reconnect with Yourself

Several studies show it: the community and connections we build around us are fundamentally part of a healthy life balance and contribute to good mental health, in addition to significantly contributing to our happiness index. 

However, to live well with others, you must first be comfortable living with yourself. Many people in our society tend to use their social connections as a way to avoid being alone with their thoughts. 

When we constantly distract ourselves with social activities, without ever taking a moment to reconnect with ourselves, we inevitably become disconnected from who we truly are, deep down. 

How can we know who we are if we are continually influenced by those around us and the pressure to conform to the social mold?

When you travel solo, you definitely end up spending time alone—probably more than usual. Sure, you can meet people there, participate in group activities for tourists, or make friends with locals, but part of the experience is solitary. 

It's a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with your true self, to discover who you are deep down when there's no one around to tell you what to think and what to love.

Gaining Self-Confidence

When you travel alone, you have to call upon some of your inner resources that you didn't even know existed. You have to organize your trip, book accommodations, take a plane, find your way around a city you don't know, talk to strangers, sometimes in a language you don't speak... In short, it's a melting pot of uncomfortable things that you have to do and that definitely take you out of your comfort zone. And it's by getting out of this comfort zone that you grow!

When we manage to do all these things, we draw on our inner strength and discover resources we didn't know we possessed. This does wonders for our self-confidence. 

We then realize that we don't need others, that we can manage very well on our own, in short, that we are autonomous and full of abilities. And then, challenging ourselves to do something uncomfortable, and overcoming this challenge, is always highly rewarding!

An Enriching Experience

Solo travel is a veritable goldmine for personal growth: self-discovery, improved resilience and self-confidence, better self-understanding, in addition to doing what we want, when we want! Yes, there is no compromise to be made, this trip is yours and you can experience it however you like.

We hope this article has inspired you to step out of your comfort zone without having to wait for anyone. Enjoy!