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	Why You Should Try Traveling Alone at Least Once in Your Life By Cathy Newman Solo travel is defined as travel undertaken by a person traveling without another individual. There are plenty of reasons to do so, but an integral part of solo travel, according to most people who partake in it, is that it teaches you about yourself and how to be comfortable with yourself. By exploring new places and meeting new people, solo travelers learn more about themselves than they might if they were always hanging out with their friends or family members. It's also a fun way to discover new hobbies and rekindle old ones. It's a great opportunity to provide you with a fresh outlook on life, leading to self-growth and self-discovery. In our modern society, we often get wrapped up in our image, so it can be a nice change of pace to go out and travel without worrying about how you appear to others or what people think of you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with traveling with a friend or loved one—it's just as fun! But it's always a great idea to see things from a different perspective from time to time. Different Types of Solo Travelers Solo travel is no longer reserved for gap year university students and retirees—it's increasingly becoming a lifestyle choice. And it's not just about vacation—more people are choosing to study or work overseas without company too. We all have unique circumstances, goals, preferences, requirements, hopes, fears—and what works for one person may not work for another. Whatever your reason for wanting to take some time alone, taking some time to prepare can only enhance your experience. Here are 5 tips to make the most of your journey: Don't be afraid to meet new people: Solo travel is a great way to meet new people, and it's a shame that many first-time solo travelers end up staying inside their hotel room out of fear. If anything, going out of your comfort zone will help grow as a person. So don't shy away from other travelers or anyone who could make for an interesting conversation partner. You never know who might share something with you that ends up changing your life forever! Enjoy yourself: Let's face it—solo travel can be terrifying if you aren't prepared for it mentally beforehand, but there are ways to make things easier on you. Start by choosing a destination that interests you and do some research on the local area so that when you get there, you can enjoy all it has to offer! Understand that not all places are tourist-friendly: Make sure to always let your hostel or hotel know where you're going and make friends with other travelers if possible. For the best experience, try traveling to a destination that hasn't been taken over by tourists. These kinds of places can be fun for a day or two, but there's really no long-term value in eating nowhere but chain restaurants or visiting nothing but shops owned by huge corporations. Don't be afraid to break plans if something comes up: Since you won't have anyone else around to make plans with, it can sometimes be scary to break plans if something suddenly comes up, but that shouldn't stop you from listening to what your body needs or doing whatever is necessary to maintain a balance between work and play. It's also worth reminding yourself that if you get uncomfortable, you can always head back home! The point of solo travel is listening to yourself and learning how to keep yourself happy, after all! Learn how to be comfortable with yourself: This is perhaps one of the most important lessons for solo travelers because it's so often overlooked! Being able to be comfortable with yourself is essential for enjoying solo travel because it forces you to learn how to occupy yourself when there's no one else around, and it can also help strengthen self-confidence over time. What are you waiting for? In a society where everything from our romantic relationships to our friendships and work are guided by an underlying set of rules, there's something liberating about allowing yourself to go it alone for a period of time. The only thing stopping you from exploring a new part of the world is you—and that's what makes it so worthwhile. First published on ArticleBiz.com 19 November 2021. Cathy Newman is a content creator based in London, the United Kingdom, and can be reached by email at cathyanewman96@gmail.com. \| Planning a cruise, a tour for yourself and your loved one (or a big group of family and friends), or a personal pilgrimage? Maybe just seeking hotel accommodations, airline flights, travel insurance, or transportation rental? We can arrange any and all of that for you anywhere on the globe, so you don't have to do the heavy-lifting yourself. We cater to small or big groups, couples, families, and individuals — and we can tailor-fit the services just for your needs. For more information, contact us now.