I have taken many trips on my own this semester. I found it was a great way to get away from all the stressful things I was going through with school and friends, and it’s now become a habit. It started when I took a tip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania before spring break, followed by taking a trip down south. Traveling on my own opened up my mind to a new and peaceful clarity. These are some of the things I’ve benefitted from by traveling alone:
1. Independence
I’ve always been an independent person. I moved to New York City after high school for college, and in that time I’ve learned a lot of new things about myself and about life. Traveling to new places opens your mind to new ideas and sets you free of dependency you have on others. It’s like taking in a breath of fresh air.
2. You never know what you’re missing, until you do
I’m a huge fan of road trips and even though I can’t always drive to my destinations, I find it totally worth it to rent a car and drive around. When I went down south to Georgia, I flew to Savannah, rented a car, and drove to Athens, GA. I used Siri to navigate me and I was happy it didn’t keep me on the interstate the whole way. Instead, I drove on backroads, allowing me to see parts of the country I would have never gotten to experience otherwise.
3. Eating alone keeps better company
I know this usually freaks a lot of people out, but it’s actually very relaxing. When I travel alone, I like to Yelp local restaurants that offer something new, as opposed to chain restaurants I’m used to eating at. I usually find a seat at the bar, have a beer, and find something unique on the menu. It’s awkward at first, but after the first time, you’ll love eating by yourself. There’s no pressure to keep a conversation, and it’s a great time to people watch.
4. The adventure never ends
I’ve travelled with friends before and it’s fun, but I always find that they’re ready to turn in early, and their sense of adventure is dismal to my own curiosity. When I went down to Charleston, I stayed out until one o'clock in the morning wandering the streets and alleyways. I walked the French Quarter with only light from gas lamps to guide me, and I stumbled upon an old church graveyard. When you’re on your own, you have the freedom to explore your inquiring mind.
5. You appreciate your life so much more
I usually travel on my own to escape stressful situations and to just have some alone time. I never want to go back to those things when my trip is over, but when I do it’s like I’ve been revitalized. I always discover that the friends I have in life are the ones I want to have, and I realize that the things I was stressed out about in the beginning really don’t mean much in the grand scheme of things.
Traveling on your own has many benefits. Sometimes I think I’d appreciate some company, but then I wouldn’t have the same experience as when I’m by myself. My favorite part of traveling on my own is being reassured that this great big world is full of culture and endless possibilities. Sometimes it takes four hour road trips and sometimes it takes a two hour flight. Either way, it’s always the same in the end: I always come back happier than I was when I left.
