Why You Should Travel Alone at least Once in your Life

Written by Claire Blumenthal

When most people think of a vacation or a time to recharge, they are not doing it right. It’s so important in this day and age to stop, put your phone

down, and not think about whether you look cute or if your food is placed perfectly on the table, to the Instagram picture you’re designing in your head.

Let things be for at least 24 hours. Great things can come from a bit of time to yourself. In 2012, I was visiting family abroad. My ex-husband and I had

been having some issues for some time- for years, to be exact. I had been away from him for six weeks. We talked every day and messaged each other on

Blackberry Messenger, but I didn’t miss him. I was with family and preoccupied with other things. I quickly realized that my life made no difference with

him or without him.

The time to fly back home came, and I had a scheduled 24-hour layover in Zurich. I had never been to Europe before, and the

situation was a little weird for me. I got off the plane, changed money, and headed to the train. My first language is English, but I knew enough words in

German and French to understand directions. I made my way to Lake Zurich and watched the bustle of activity. It was a Sunday, and the promenade was

full of vendors and street artists. Human statues, jugglers, and sweet-smelling foods. I sat myself down on a bench near the water and watched the people

go by. They were unlike anybody I had ever seen before. I was definitely not in America anymore. The people here spoke multiple languages, were dressed

in the latest fashions, and the people all looked healthy and happy. I sat there on the water until the sun set behind the mountains. I thought about the

little villages and the snow-covered Alps that weren’t so far away physically, but I had only seen them in books and movies. I lost track of time, and it

didn’t bother me, not even a little bit. I saw the vendors pack up and the people dissipate. I was lost in my thoughts. There was a whole world here. A world

that I wanted to become intimately acquainted with. Before I set off towards my hotel for the night, I made a promise to myself. I would be back in this

place of history and grandeur. I would be back and meet new people. I would fall in love and enjoy my life. My six years of marriage were a trap. And I

was going to escape.

A little time to yourself to think can be life-changing.

Here are six reasons to travel by yourself:

1. Itineraries are set according to what you want to do.

Traveling with others is never really a vacation. If there is somewhere you have to be at a set time with someone else, that is called responsibility, not a

vacation.

2. Me Time.

As the story above says, time alone for introspection is invaluable.

3. You’ll meet new people if you are alone.

People are easier to approach, and you don’t need to worry about a friend or family member’s feelings. You can talk late into the night with a new friend

about common interests or expand your network.

4. Your confidence is boosted.

Stranded at an airport at night? You will have no other choice but to be ok. You’ll find your way even if the language is foreign.

5. It will make you a better traveler.

You will become a better observer of the people and places around you, which in turn will make you a better, more empathetic person.

6. You’ll feel more satisfied in the end.

It’s your trip, and if you want to spend all day sitting in a café on the banks of the Seine, then that is your choice. Keep things drama-free and never

experience disappointment knowing you spent your time exactly the way you wanted to.