Guest Blog Introduction
Ema Gavrilovic is a freelance writer based in Chicago, Illinois. After finally becoming licensed as a clinical therapist Ema chooses to pursue her passion for all things outdoors, travel, and adventure and avoids the daily grind of a nine-to-five. If she is not researching new ideas and writing in the local coffee shop or library, one can find her training in ballet, practicing yoga, or reading a novel.
Traveling Solo: The Taste of Freedom
You know that feeling when you’re super excited to visit a new locale? But, no one in your circle is free to take time off work until next year. Bummer, you think. But then, a new idea pops into your head. Why not go anyway? You know it’s a hassle for multiple people to coordinate the same days off from daily duties. Solo travel allows you to experience an independent, intuitive and self-initiated journey without those coordination troubles.
Personally, I prefer to spend time alone for self-care, so I always look forward to an adventure with just, well, me! When I was 21, I first visited a new town by myself, and it marked the true beginning of my freedom from being overly sheltered at home. It all started with a state in the U.S. that interested me because of its history in the creation of this nation. I wanted to make the trip an educational experience. There were also graduate schools I visited while exploring the state’s capital. The experience taught me how to plan an itinerary, how to travel on a budget, and how to follow my instinct while traveling independently.
Highlights of Traveling Solo
Traveling solo means bliss to people with lifestyles of either extraversion or introversion. Whether you prefer large group expeditions or a quiet retreat you are able to customize the experience to fit your preferred method of having fun and being you. As a solo traveler, your primary intent is to ensure you’re content.
This means, you plan your own schedule as you see fit, you pack enough snacks solely for you without having to add extra weight to your bag for other hungry snackers, and you can visit that art museum for as long as you want. For me, it was important to control the entire schedule and I definitely utilized my time there to the greatest extent. I created an itinerary from researching for weeks for the best budget-friendly lodging (it was my first time using a hostel! And it was a very, very good experience.), the local restaurants I wanted to try (don’t have to worry about any food aversions from travel companions when you’re alone), transportation services, and things to do.
According to a tourist travel book I picked up from my hometown’s library, a self-guided tourist attraction in Boston titled the Freedom Trail, normally takes tourists about two to three hours to complete. It took me 13 hours to complete: I was free from worry and dedicated my entire day to truly exploring the town, taking time to create great photographs, try new foods along the way, and take in my surroundings. It’s hard to envision any travel companion having the patience to walk around for 13 hours in one day.
Remember that You Are Your Best Travel Companion
As the minimalist I am when I travel I choose cheaper living arrangements. Certainly, sometimes a buddy will want the same minimalistic lifestyle for a week, but overall I find it easier to obtain a cheaper overnight stay in a dorm-style lodge as a solo guest. Not everyone is comfortable sharing amenities with strangers despite the cheaper price tag. Or, if you prefer to sleep in luxury, perhaps you can afford a 5-star hotel, and pride yourself on knowing you may choose this option if you embark on your own.
As both an introvert and extrovert I fluctuate between wanting to meet new people and focusing on myself. These days, the purpose for me to solo it is to rebalance myself from the hustle and bustle of daily living in a busy metropolitan city. The first time I ventured solo I was very social and met so many people from around the world, some of whom I still keep in touch with to this day! I noticed the hostel where I stayed at attracted young digital nomads in their 20s from South Korea, Germany, the U.K., and Northern Europe coming to the U.S. for their year abroad trips. I even met a girl from South Africa at the communal breakfast.
Make The Trip Your Own
But personally, the purpose of my trip and the intention I set for it guides my social behavior. And I just can’t get the same complete feeling of being immersed in my surroundings if others are interacting with me. I should mention that for those of you looking to meet others, from my experience, it is harder to find the time or the right moment to engage in conversation with strangers when familiar faces are around.
Navigation of a Life Journey
One of the main reasons why I chose to embark on a solo trip when I was 21 was to see if I could truly be self-reliant and independent. I needed to test myself to see if I would cave in and become homesick for prior cozier times, or if I would enjoy the learning curve. Putting myself to the test led me to believe that all Millenials should travel solo at least once to an area devoid of any relatives or friends. Learning to rely on yourself in times of need is an important life lesson. It’s easy to have parents to dote on their own child night and day but is better in the long haul to branch off from them.
And engaging in solo activities is the perfect place to start. But even for me, there were originally some stipulations when it came to social etiquette. Eating at Panera alone wasn’t a big deal. Lots of people stop in for a quick bite amidst their busy schedules. Eating at a fancy restaurant alone, however, proved to be a little awkward the first trip (but I got used to it by my second trip). Now, I enjoy eating my tasty food as I reflect on my day, review my itinerary, and observe the scenery.
Testing the Group Tour Alternative
Another similar trial proved to be group tours. I normally avoid joining tours anyway and opt to walk my own path, but for the times when the only way to visit a special site is with a ranger or company, I plan accordingly. Eventually, I embarked on a whale watch cruise solitarily, but never really felt alone because I met many wonderful families aboard the ship. If you decide to try solo travel and find out midway it just isn’t for you choosing guided tours will give you the exposure to the area like you wish while adding personable interaction.
Whatever reason you choose to start your new mission alone know that not any reason makes it the right one. Traveling solo also includes people with careers. Since remote work defuses the pressures that come with an office space people are free to roam the world as nomads. Regardless of their background or reason I constantly advocate others who I come in contact with to test out new adventures alone. Solo travel is a healthy self-care technique and is inspiring.
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