I do enjoy taking my daughter to new places and seeing her experience things for the first time, and seeing her enjoy herself and her life. I wouldn’t want to miss out on a single instance of that.
But there are also many times where I would prefer to travel alone. In the last several years, I’ve had to travel alone for work and while I didn’t expect to enjoy it at first, I ended up realizing that it suits me very well.
Some of the reasons why I prefer to travel alone…
- Saves money! This is definitely the case when you are part of a couple or a family (which is my scenario) and usually have to cover expenses for more than just yourself. The only exception to this is when you’re travelling with friends who will split costs with you – especially the lodging costs which are often very expensive.
- Maximize time! You don’t have to wait on anyone else. You don’t have to wait on others to get ready for the day or deal with their personal matters. If others are slower than you and pokey, it won’t affect you at all.
- Maximize activities! You don’t have to begrudgingly participate in activities you are not interested in because others want to. Your itinerary is 100% up to you and no compromises are necessary except for scheduling and timing.
- Make new friends! When you’re travelling with your own family or clique, it’s very easy to silo yourself within your current group. When travelling alone however, you’re more likely to strike up conversations with others that share your same interests, and meet new people who could possibly evolve into friendships!
- Great for self-confidence! You’re solving your own problems, planning your own schedule and activities, figuring out a new place all on your own, and you learn to LOVE your own company!
- Indulge in selfishness! Imagine doing what you want, when you want, EATING what you want, and being as lazy or as active as you’d like. This is the ultimate “Me Time”.
So that’s my current list of reasons to travel alone. Perhaps I’ll come up with more reasons to add later. But what do you all think about travelling alone? Have you tried it yet? Do you want to try it?
I haven’t travelled alone too much, but I was surprised to find that I don’t mind dining alone. I love to eat slow and get lost in a good book! I’d be willing to try a trip by myself. I’d always prefer to have my husband with me. He just makes everything even better! But if he can’t or doesn’t want to go somewhere, I’d go alone. I like the points you have made. Have a great weekend!
Hi Mamalava! Ooooo, I do enjoy dining alone at times too! That’ll be cool if you do end-up travelling alone sometime, I’d love to hear what you thought of it! 🙂
I rarely travel alone unless it is to visit my siblings or go to a conference. Some of my favorite trips, though, were to NYC when my wife was working there I would spend the day doing whatever I wanted and then go out to dinner with her when her workday was done.
That’s the best of both worlds there, Tater! You get your ME time AND your WE time! 🙂
Wow thats a really big chair lol
Lol, it is! 🙂
I can see all these benefits as being appealing, too. It’s a shame that a lot of places charge more for single occupancy though and many offers are for couples. But cost aside, it makes you more independent, gives you 100% control over the itinerary and whatever you want to do. You can indulge and look after yourself without worrying about what others think or what others want to do. xx
I really like how you said all that Caz. I think the reason why I love travelling alone so much, is because in my normal everyday life (where I’m focused on work and my family), I don’t have any control or independence or the chance to look after myself. So travelling alone is kinda the only way I can have that. :/
I’ve actually never traveled alone as I don’t need to for work. It’s one of those things that’s kind of on my bucket list but the idea of traveling alone makes me feel a bit timid and scared. I feel like if I was forced to travel for work I’d definitely make the best of it and agree with your reasonings for enjoying traveling alone (me-time and not having to wait on anyone else and doing everything YOU wanted to check out). Hope there’s more lone traveling for you in your near future! 🙂
Thank you BosssyBabe! And since it’s on your bucket list, I hope you get the chance to try it out sometime! 🙂
I travel alone out of necessity…
Sometimes its necessity for me too… 🙂
As appealing as all these reasons for traveling alone are, traveling alone makes me so nervous. Who do I go to if something goes wrong?? Yes, this is where I would become more independent but even then, I just love love love talking about what’s happening with someone. I might give solo travel a go one day. I just need to muster up the courage first
If you do give solo travel a chance one day, then I hope to hear all about it!!! If you prefer being with people when doing stuff, then you learn how to make friends on the spot. And something going wrong could become an adventure! Just as long as you stay safe, you’ll be fine. 🙂
It’s on my bucket list ✔️
That’s awesome and I hope you love every minute! 🙂