Particularly when you are feeling uncertain about the world around you and your own abilities as a traveller, successfully navigating the challenges of exploring the world can give you a true sense of confidence that you might not get when travelling with others. Especially for female lone travellers, this aspect of solo travel can be incredibly empowering.
Whether it's being able to ask for directions in a language you barely have a grasp of or successfully navigating an unfamiliar transport system, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone will undoubtedly give you a renewed confidence over your abilities - both in travel and in other areas of your life.
2. You will meet and enjoy the company of the most unexpected people
Solo travel doesn't mean not socialising with others while you're exploring your chosen country, and may actually be a necessity for longer trips. While learning to enjoy your own company is an obvious benefit of solo travel, it would be a shame to miss out on meeting locals and other travellers whom you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to spend time with.
Meeting other people who would be otherwise outside of your social circle exposes you to people with different life experiences and world views, which can only serve to expand your own!
3. You will get the opportunity to learn more about who you are as a person
Spending time alone, possibly away from other life commitments, gives you a unique opportunity to explore interests you might not otherwise have time to. Taking up new hobbies, finding new interests and exploring the culture which you have chosen to immerse yourself in, is a great way to embark on self-discovery.
Making your own itinerary and having the freedom to explore a new country at your own pace is sure to make clear your own priorities and interests whether or not self-discovery is the goal of your trip.
4. Solo travel highlights many of our preconceived notions about a country and its people
Unfortunately unconscious bias and stereotyping is something many of us are guilty of, a pattern of thought which quickly emergences particularly when you spend an extended period in another country.
Travel, and especially solo travel, is an excellent way to challenge these beliefs and to understand what a place is truly like. While our media's depictions of a country, its events and people are rooted in a degree of truth, it's also important to recognise the value in experiencing these things and making decisions for yourself. You might just be pleasantly surprised!
Exploring the world solo can give you a true sense of confidence that you might not get when travelling with others.
5. You can go almost anywhere and do almost anything
Sometimes, the people in your life simply won't want to do the things you want to. Other times, financial resources or time could be the issue. Nevertheless, this should not be a barrier to your desire to explore somewhere new - just make sure to do your research.
It's not embarrassing to do things alone, no matter what you've been made to believe. With the exception of certain countries, if you have the time and financial resources - you can explore anywhere. Solo travel really makes you realise that (almost) the whole world is your oyster.
