Four reasons why travelling alone can be empowering

Ienjoy the company of friends and people. I marvel with the idea of making lasting memories while exploring the world with them.

The thought of going solo, especially in travelling, however, fascinates me as it means a whole new level of adventure and experience.

For me, it is both a risk and an opportunity, but more of the latter. It is also a challenge everyone should, at least once in their life, try.

To travel alone gifts one with the feeling of fulfilment. It is challenging and liberating and rewarding and empowering.

Last summer, I took on the challenge of travelling solo in one of my dream destinations: El Nido, Palawan. Doing it for the first time in an unfamiliar land is, of course, scary. There is always fear in facing the uncertain and unknown. But to feel fear, I figured, is necessary and part of the journey.

During my travel, I bumped with random people. And most of them asked me the same question: Why are you alone?

And to this question, they can only get a smile from me as a response. But after wandering the wonders alone, if you were to ask me the same question, I will surely answer you with these four reasons why traveling on your own is but empowering: Deeper connection

There is something with travelling solo that enables you to connect, in deeper level, to the nature and focus more on the beauty of the destination you are in. You are more connected to the “now”. You become more appreciative of the wonders that surround you. This experience will enhance your skills in concentration and having focus in all aspects of your life is vital to achieve your goals.

Meeting new people

More than the scenic views I was blessed to witness in El Nido, it is the souls of newly-met people who once just strangers now turned into friends that I treasured the most. There is joy, indeed, in meeting new people especially when you get to share and exchange wonderful stories of the places you came from and personal backgrounds, goals, and dreams. It is with this experience that you get to strengthen your faith in the innate good of people.

Also, immersing and dealing with the locals, and learning from their culture and way of living widen your horizon and understanding to this world.

You call the shots

Admit it, you sometimes (or most of the times) get tired of adjusting to the comforts of the majority. You sometimes want to stay longer hours on the beach but you are worried because your friends or whoever are complaining about the sun’s heat or you want to go hiking but you can’t because your elder colleagues are not physically abled. You can’t pursue whatever there is you want because you don’t want to appear selfish, unmindful and inconsiderate.

But exploring alone means total control over your activities and itinerary. Only you are the boss over the trip. You can do everything you want and nothing you don’t want but of course with reasonable limitations.

It builds confidence and courage

Doing one thing you are afraid of is something rewarding and empowering. If it scares and excites you at the same time, it’s probably is worth a try.

I am in a relationship and you may be wondering why I chose to go solo. It is because we made an understanding that doing so once in a while can be refreshing for us. When you meet halfway and understand to pursue individual interests, trust is enhanced.

After the journey, you get to realize that it is not, after all, as scary as you imagined it. It builds confidence, it can make you bolder and wiser. You get to prove that being alone is never that frustrating. Choosing to go beyond your comfort zone, something like going solo travel enables you to grow.

Remember, the world is ours to explore and conquer, so, have an eye for adventure, see the world as your playground but always play fair and responsibly. You don’t want to see yourself years from now regretting about the things you failed to do and adventures you failed to experience.