I’ve been very fortunate the last few years because I’ve gotten to travel a lot. One of my best friends works for an airline so I have gotten a fair share of free flights (on standby but still free) to amazing cities, I otherwise probably couldn’t afford. For most of the trips I’d traveled with my friend Mark, even if we took separate flights we would explore and stay together. That all changed when I decided to go to the Blogher15 conference.
About a month before the conference I was sitting at home watching Mistresses and checking my email when I came across the an email from Levo telling me about the Blogher 15 conference.
I started doing research to see it was remotely possible that I could go. After lots of hotel searching (and talking myself in and out of it) I decided to go. So not only was I going to take my first totally solo trip but I was taking it in New York City. I guess go big or stay home.
I had an amazing experience! I’d actually wouldn’t feel clique saying it was life changing. Traveling alone is something everyone should do at least once.
5 Reasons You Should Travel Alone
You get a hotel room to yourself
Even if you don’t go anywhere extra special there is nothing like a hotel room to yourself. Crisp white sheets, extra cool air, tiny bottles of lotion and shampoo, even that generic hotel channel that plays on repeat until you figure out the remote seems more delightful when alone.
I’ve lived alone for nearly 4 years and I have to tell you having a hotel room to myself is way better…. probably because I don’t have to clean up or make the bed.
You can have the kind of trip you want
When you travel with other people you typically have to accommodate their desires as well as your own. You may want to go see the Statue of Liberty while they want to check out Central Park but only have time for one of the two. When you travel alone you can see the sights you want to see, check out the places you want to, eat at the food you want to eat. You set your itinerary or just go with your own flow and that is a truly freeing feeling.
You’re more likely to meet new people
When you travel with other people you tend to stay with those other people. When you travel alone you’re forced to make friends or be alone. I met some pretty cool people on my trip. I may have shared a few words with these people and went on my about my day if I had a travel companion but since I was alone these passing moments turned into new friendships. Bonus you may have found a lifelong friend or a free place to stay the next time you’re in town.
You meet a new side of yourself
I think that traveling alone is very liberating but it can be a scary experience. Being in a new place alone is the epitome of stepping out of your comfort zone. It forces you to see a new side of yourself, forces you to try new things, to do something out of your ordinary element and get to know yourself a little better. It’s different than the typical vacation you. You get to see how you respond to the environment without the outside opinions of people you know. Stepping out of your comfort zone lets you recognize what sort of things make you uncomfortable versus what things are just foreign to you. It makes you more in tune with your natural reactions and instincts. You find out what types of things draw you when you don’t have any of your normal outside influences to push you in one direction or the other. When traveling alone you don’t get to be passive because all the choices are up to you. You are forced to really think about what you.
You develop a desire to do it more
After my experience traveling alone I have to tell you I definitely want to do it again. Would I love to go to New York with a friend or a romantic partner? Definitely! But I also want to travel and see other places by myself. I want to get to know myself better. I want to revisit places I’ve seen with friends on my own.
I’m sure the experience in this is going to be different for everyone. I’ve always been very independent person. I have no issue going to a restaurant, bar or movie by myself. If that’s not you, I still say give traveling alone a chance. Maybe don’t go to New York City for 5 days by yourself but perhaps just plan a day/night away in another town. Just go somewhere and ask yourself what do I want to do here? If you’re a writer or blogger then it is a great way to get a new material, clear head and escape distractions. It’s easy to get stuck in the mundane but seeing how you fit into different environments without anyone influencing your time and decisions is really eye-opening.
Read more about my trip here.
Have you ever taken a trip alone? How did it go? What did you learn? Are for scared to? Tell me why below.
Do it for love,
Dia
Jessica
OMG I so want to do this now! Thank you for the inspiration!
Jessica
Great insight! If you can’t travel with a partner or group (which would still be my preference) it is empowering to know there are ladies out there seizing the day!
Huub Ricardo
I totally feel you. I’ve never completely traveled alone but traveling alone with my husband is the greatest. You meet new people and you don’t have to keep worrying about others. So keep on girl…traveling is a great thing to do!!
footnotes and finds
a great post! i absolutely travelling, although i have travelled alone, i still prefer travelling with others, in particular my sisters to share the experience. but i agree with you, it’s important to spend time alone and find out things about yourself you wouldn’t necessary find otherwise
http://www.footnotesandfinds.com
1stopforeverything
Awesome do not know earlier about all these benefits of travelling alone 🙂
great article
Fabiola
It’s funny but I had never thought about traveling alone. But after reading your post, I would definitely consider it. You make a good case!
Dia
That’s funny you should say that tomorrow I’m sharing a post about traveling with siblings so be sure to check it out.
Lynda@fitnessmomwinecountry
Dia I love this post. Traveling alone would be exciting and fun, with a bit of jitters. How liberating you are right and from that, we can grow so much. I have not traveled alone, but I have traveled for races and met other women via social and had roommates. That is another way to travel and be sort of alone. Meeting new people would be my most favorite part of traveling.
I am here from Grow Your Blog 🙂
Dia
Thanks so much for stopping by! I did have a lot of jitters, especially going to New York alone but after the first day it got really awesome. Meeting new people is so great especially when they are from a different place because it can be eye opening.
Autumn
I have never traveled alone, but I discovered eating out by myself this past year and it is pretty fabulous. My husband travels a lot for his job though so this post definitely made us have an interesting conversation :)!!
Dia
I do like eating alone…. because no one will judge me for wanting a burger or putting guacamole on everything. Even if you go with him and go on your own adventures while he is working you might connect with yourself more.
Angela Tolsma
oh gosh I’ve always wanted to travel alone, I will one day! Great tips!
Dia
You should. It may seem scary or make you nervous but it’s amazing as long as you’re safe about it 🙂
Angie Scheie
What a fun trip! I have traveled by myself, but never a trip where a took a flight! I totally agree with all your points. I do get a little weirded out eating out by myself, so sometimes I just get things to go and take it back to my awesome hotel room 😉
Dia
I’m fine either way but I love having a hotel room to myself
Ally Fiesta
I know so many people have a great fear of doing things alone – especially women because we are such delicate creature that require supervision and protection. Sarcasm aside, there are solid ways to avoid putting oneself in a dangerous situation. These are all great reasons to travel alone. I am in a relationship with someone who does not like planes or traveling to high traffic events so I do go alone and get outside of my comfort zone but the experiences have added character to myself. Over this summer I got to know other solo female travelers. Much love to adventurouskate.com excellent attitude goes a long way since traveling can be stressful!
Dia
You understand where I’m coming from! I was nervous going to New York by myself but it was one of the best trips of my life. If you are smart you can be safe. Thanks for commenting Ally.
Happy Birthday to Me! Big Moments From This Year. - All The Things I Do
[…] York but I did fall in love with myself a little more. This was my first time really taking a full vacation by myself and between the trip and the conference my life is officially changed can’t wait for BlogHer 16 […]