I've traveled with friends, family, and by myself. And while travel is always rewarding, there's something special about going somewhere new all by yourself. Regardless of who you are, how old you are, what your income level is- it's easier to travel than you think. And the rewards are endless, I wouldn't be who I am or where I am today if I hadn't taken the leap and decided to go somewhere alone.
I encourage you to take the leap too, and explore somewhere you've always wanted to see, all by yourself.
Here are some common questions I've heard along the way.
1. Aren't you scared?
Sure sometimes I get scared. But I've also been scared to go for a run alone, so I tell people when where I'm going and I take my cell phone with me. When you travel alone you also take precautions, always let someone know where you are and always have a plan of what to do in case of an emergency.
I also like to remind people that sometimes it's healthy to do something that scares you a little bit. The first time I traveled alone was when I went to visit a college in Massachusetts. I got on a plane, navigated a layover, and met up with other prospective students and school representatives in Connecticut before the drive to Massachusetts. I was 16 years old and terrified of flying. But I did it anyway.
2. How can you afford it?
The same way I can afford everything else, I work.
3. Your parents must worry so much about you.
Yes and no. My parents worry about me all the time because I'm their only child. But they also trust me, and they know that I am capable of taking care of myself.
4. What does your boyfriend think of you traveling alone?
This was an actual question I received from a coworker at a music festival in the midwest, and I was so taken aback. It's not really important what my parents/friends/boyfriend think about me traveling alone, because at the end of the day it's my life, and my choice.5. I could never travel alone.
It's not as scary as you think. We travel alone all the time, we go grocery shopping alone, we go to work alone. "Traveling" alone is just a greater distance and for a longer period of time. However, it's one of the most rewarding experiences possible.
You're more independent and capable than you think, and when you are forced to rely only on yourself, you discover just how strong you can be. It's also nice not having to wait around for other people, you can do whatever you want whenever you want. You want to eat at every five-star ice cream shop in Los Angeles? Go for it. Want to spend 10 hours in the Louvre? Do it. When you travel alone, the world is yours.
