Solo travelling - Why you should try it
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| Me, documented by @rafikivisuals (IG) in Oslo. |
Everyone should solo travelling at least once in their lifetime! My first big solo trip was to LA, California, USA, and I learned so much from that trip.
I learned that I enjoy my own company, that I'm adventurous and that I like to talk to strangers, unless they seem shady (but sometimes I can end up talking with shady people too). Often when I'm travelling with someone, they always end up being that "map-reader". I just go along with it, and never learn the metro-system and stuff like that, but when I was travelling alone I found out that I'm a decent map-reader too, and I'm not as "clumsy" or "lost" as some people might think.
Sometimes certain people get annoyed over my impulsiveness and my "everything's gonna be alright"-attitude, but it turns out that these attributes lead to unexpected adventures. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for planning, but I believe in not making too many plans, and being open to making decisions on the go.
Like that time in Berlin, where I ended up talking with a random dude, called Micky, who had a bike with a cargo area in front. He offered me a ride, I accepted and this turned out to be a really nice little trip where I got to see Berlin from a different perspective. Micky also brought me to a tiny chocolate shop, called Belyzium, that smelled amazing! Everytime I took a breath it was like I was inhaling chocolate and getting chocolate high.
We had a very tasty cocoa, and after this Micky dropped me off closer to the restaurant where I had plans to meet a group of people, even though he didn't have to. Such a cool dude. (Excuse the bad quality, this was just meant to be a snap and nothing more).
But, always be careful whilst solo travelling, and take precautions.
But, always be careful whilst solo travelling, and take precautions.
Back to my first solo trip. I felt empowered by the fact that I could get around on my own, that I didn't get bored (except for those two first days when I stayed at a shabby motel), and by the fact that it was easier to get to know new people than it usually is when you're travelling in a group. This might seem over the top, but I felt invincible (except for when I managed to loose my credit card and favorite vintage shades, only hours before I had to get to the airport). Anyway, I learned that I actually love to travel solo, which is a good thing to figure out. That's why you should try travelling alone just once, it might turn out that you love it too! Plus, Forbes agrees.
For some weird reason I filmed myself a few times. I don't know why, because at that time I wasn't planning on showing it to anyone. At that time I didn't even know I would start a travel blog. So here's a little me talking with myself and a few shots of palm trees, low riders and grinding.
For some weird reason I filmed myself a few times. I don't know why, because at that time I wasn't planning on showing it to anyone. At that time I didn't even know I would start a travel blog. So here's a little me talking with myself and a few shots of palm trees, low riders and grinding.
Totally agree with you, everyone should travel solo at least once! It's such an eye-opening experience in so many ways. Glad you had fun in LA :)
ReplyDeleteThanks K.!
DeleteI'm so glad to read this post! I'm heading out on a solo trip in a couple of weeks (my first solo trip in years and years) and it's just the boost I need to pump me up before my solo adventure!
ReplyDeleteSo cool! Where are you going? I'm so glad to hear you got a boost, you got this!
DeleteEveryone should travel solo at least once! :-) it's a different and great experience.
ReplyDeleteHear, hear!
DeleteI solo travelled back in 2014/2015 and it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself! It helped me realize what I really wanted and re-screwed my head on tight! I will be forever thankful I went on that trip to NZ and AUS alone - and I totally recommend solo travel to everyone!!!
ReplyDeleteYeees, I can so relate, I also ended up making some life changing decisions after my first big solo trip.
DeleteI love how you shared this with the world and decided to go by yourself because I think it's important that people hear others do it too. I always wanted to travel solo but never got the courage to do so, but I think I will use this to motivate me in some way and become a map-reader myself. :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAawww, I hope you actually end up doing it, because I feel I learned so much from solo travelling and want more people, especially women, to experience that!
DeleteI feel like its a bit late for me to solo travel now! Lol! Husband and a toddler! But I managed to do Canada a little before I got married. I still like the idea of getting away on my own for a bit though
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late, maybe when the toddler is older, haha. BUT travelling with your loved ones can be a fantastic experience as well :)
DeleteBeautiful narration...yes some precautions are needed while traveling solo...
ReplyDeleteLoved the blog.
thank you krish!
DeleteI have never done any solo travel before. Been traveling to may places around the world but mostly with family members and friends. You post has inspired to at least try out once SOlO Travel. Love the youtube you have included in this post. Those bikes are just colorful in California, the sunshine state. :)
ReplyDeleteAwwww, that warms my heart to hear! Thank you. Let me know how it goes :)
DeleteWhen I was still single, majority of my trips in Europe were solo trips. I think it's so much fun because it allows you the opportunity to interact with the natives and so much more. Like you said, it's very important to take precaution because you become a target.
ReplyDeleteWord. I guess you can connect with the natives while travelling with a friend as well, you just have to make more of an effort.
DeleteI do love traveling a lot but never tried or even have a courage to do a solo trip. I am getting sad when I am alone that is why I always prepared to have a family trip instead of solo trip but I hope someday I can do a solo trip and hoping that it will happen soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if solo travel is for everyone, but I feel that you might not really know untill you've tried it. You might even surprise yourself! I would start with a small trip first. If you end up doing it, let me know how it went!
DeleteI never been in solo travelling, but I want to do it sometime. Maybe its very challenging because I will be alone, but I know I will make it like you do. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, and if you're part of any female travel groups on facebook you can always ask if others are visiting the same country as you and if they wanna meet up.
DeleteShabby motels are THE worst. We booked one about a year ago, on accident and there is nothing to do at them. Other than that your trip sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteHaha, yeah I know! I also booked it by mistake and it was awful! Luckily it was only for two nights!
DeleteI've never tried traveling solo before. I don't think there is a chance I could try this anytime soon because my son and I always travel as a pair :)
ReplyDeleteAaawww, but that sounds cosy too!
DeleteSolo traveling is something I have definitely wanted to do. I've done short trips, but never anything major.
ReplyDeleteI think that's wonderful. Size don't matter ;)
DeleteI never been experience travel alone. But I really wanna try! Thanks for your blog post. it really convincing me to travelling solo.
ReplyDeleteYay! Let me know how it goes!
DeleteI wish I could have had the opportunity to travel solo before having kids but I will just have to live vicariously through you!
ReplyDeleteHaha yeah, and you can give it another shot when your kids get older ;)
DeleteThis would be such a great idea! I would love to do this just me and my son once he gets a little older. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYay, this makes me so happy!
DeleteI like the idea of solo travelling I bet it is a really liberating experience indeed. It sounds like something everyone should try.
ReplyDeleteYour right, it is liberating.
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