As a generally shy and reserved person, I know first hand that traveling can be scary... or so I thought. I'm the quiet girl that tends to be more of a follower than a leader.

I'm that friend that used to say, "No you go first," when walking into a room full of people. That was before traveling alone.

Now, I barge into a room without a second thought, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Traveling solo has made me a better person overall. So, I want to share some of the great reasons to travel alone.

1. You can do what you want, when you want, how you want.

There's nothing worse than trying to please an entire group of people during a vacation. You have to agree on what you're eating for each meal or what adventures you're going to go on each day.

More often than not, you miss out on something you want to do simply because someone else didn't want to do that thing.

Personally, I'm the type of person who will forfeit my happiness to make someone else happy.

When you travel alone, this is something you don't have to worry about and it is the best feeling. You get to decide what you want to do and when you want to do it.

Or if you change your mind, you can change your plans last minute and don't have to worry about anyone getting upset. Basically, it's all about you. You simply get to make yourself happy for a change.

2. You can worry less about finances.

One of the most stressful parts about traveling is generally balancing money.

Typically, traveling is a pretty expensive adventure, especially when you're within a group.

You tend to eat out more at nice restaurants, take turns buying drinks for each other, or visit tourist attractions. There's just a lot more pressure to spend money. When you're by yourself, that pressure goes away. You realize you don't need that many souvenirs or to eat out every meal.

You get to prioritize what you want to spend more money on.

For example, if I had to choose I would dedicate all my money to gas or entrance fees to parks rather than eating out or staying at the best hotel. And the nice thing is, I get to decide that.

3. You can focus more on your surroundings.

As said before, when traveling with a group of people, you tend to focus more on entertaining and spending time with those people. That's not a bad thing, but at the same time, you might be missing what's right in front of you.

The main reason I travel is to see new places and explore new cultures.

It's harder to do that with distractions around you. When traveling solo, you can dive deep into other places. It's also a nice way to detox from socializing and using technology. You can breathe in the fresh air, look at your surroundings, and maybe snap a few pictures.

Being present in the moment just makes the world more beautiful and peaceful.

4. Builds confidence.

Traveling alone has made me grow so much as a person. Like I mentioned before, I am a pretty quiet person who typically likes to remain in my comfort zone.

Now, what even is a comfort zone?

When traveling alone you don't have a choice, you have to leave that zone. You realize that you can't rely on other people to do things for you, so you become so self-reliant.

There's no one to get food for you or figure out how to get somewhere. It is you and yourself against the world. This is how you become so confident in yourself.

You realize that you don't need someone to baby you or constantly help you because you can handle it on your own.

All it takes is one jam, maybe you're lost or something, and the amount of work and determination it takes to get you out of the situation trust me you won't be scared to do anything else.

5. Meet new people!

Yes, the point of traveling alone is typically to give yourself a break from socializing and just relax or have a peaceful mind. However, traveling alone is a great way to meet new people.

Even when traveling alone on purpose, sometimes it does get a little lonely and maybe you miss socializing a little bit. Well, great news for you, with your new-found confidence, it is very easy to meet people.

Whether it's in the line at the grocery store or walking down the street, don't be shy.

Be open to making small talk with people. Ask locals the best places to visit. It'll make your experience even better. Just remember to be open and outgoing.

I'm not saying you should always travel by yourself, but it truly can be a great experience if you're trying to either figure yourself out or grow as a person.

You will learn so much about yourself and the places you visit.

So, go out there and have fun!