Solo Travel: Benefits and Personal Reflections
Just now, I was watching a video of Links. His travel photography looks amazing. Every time he travels, it feels like his first tripfilled with excitement and newness. He and crabs are really into traveling, which reminds me of my initial solo trip when I felt so excited to explore a brand-new world on my own. Back then, I got up super early to catch an early flight to a place filled with fresh air that seemed like it could take me anywhere. Now, even after visiting many places, the idea of traveling doesn’t excite me as much as it did at first. However, every time I watch his videos, I’m reminded how much I love traveling. I still enjoy it a lot because those initial feelings remind me of my own solo travel experiences.
Speaking of why I always prefer traveling alone, Ive talked about this topic with some friends before.
Firstly, I remember that when traveling with others, most of the time Im in charge: planning trips, driving, guiding people, etc. As a natural introvert, I like everything under my control and dont want to follow others lead or let go of control. But once there are other people around, it becomes harder to focus on just me. Heres where it gets tricky: I hope everyone else is having fun and that the trip unfolds as planned for me. This inevitably means taking charge of the whole trip, worrying about all sorts of thingsmaking it more organized but also tiring.
Secondly, when people say traveling, theyre referring to different experiences. Different people have entirely different ideas about what traveling is. I love being outdoors and enjoying wild landscapeseven if that means driving eight hours a day for several days straight, hiking for eight hours each day, sleeping in the open air because of the beautiful scenery or quiet surroundings. But Im not just some kind of soldier; I dont like visiting popular tourist spots and locations at all. Whenever there are groups of people gathered together to take photos or relax, my stomach turns because its such a boring experience for me. So wherever I go, its usually peaceful with few people around. However, not everyone shares this perspective on travel. Some people just want to sleep in nice places and take lots of selfies at famous spots, but these kinds of places are already crowded; you cant find any quiet ones if youre willing to spend a lot of time traveling.
In solo travel, the most important thing is independence. I once drove all night because there was no light pollution so I could see the stars. It rained and I still went out to enjoy the weather. One day after doing nothing interesting for hours, I just wandered aimlessly in an empty place for a long timelike sitting in a payphone waiting room. Then, when I felt tired after playing around for a while, I would head to a bar and spend two or three drinks relaxing until I fell asleep. Sometimes at night driving at high speeds with the windows open so that the wild air could fill my car. There are so many little things you just do when youre alone but dont know how to organize them if you go with others. But once you start talking, everything seems less fun and more complicated than it was before.
In life, theres always moments when I need some alone timethere arent any strong reasons for me not to be with people, but sometimes theyre just better left alone. If Im traveling with someone else, Id have to explain myself or consider their preferences, which seems like a waste of time once I tell them my plans. After all, in life you need some quiet moments when no one is around and dont want anyone to know anything about where I am or whats going on. Whether its while traveling or doing something else entirely, I prefer not having anyone thereno noise from others breathing, no one looking at me, even if theyre strangers.
Just like life, in travel, too, youd rather have some quiet moments when you dont want anyone to be around and just enjoy the journey by yourself. While traveling alone feels lonely sometimeseven for someone who loves solo tripsbut especially while in a city or visiting these man-made landscapes that look so artificial. I used to think about how to tell people my views on such things, but no one was willing to listen because theyre all too busy with their own lives and dont have time to talk when traveling. Even at home, I cant find anyone who shares the same feelings as meno one wants to hear anything about my trips, but in this case, Id rather go somewhere without any tourists or crowds so that it feels like a real escape.
Of course, there are times when you do want to go out with someone. The few times Ive gone on group tours have been nice experiences, but sometimes I still need some alone time to just wander around and explore by myself.
