Reasons Why Solo Travel Is The Best

I've done all the different combinations of travel you can do; with a friend, a significant other, with a couple friends, strangers, family, a large tour, and solo. Out of all of these methods of adventuring, I've found, that for the sake of my sanity, I enjoy traveling alone the most. Perhaps this is because I am an introvert, or maybe it's just because I've had a few interesting experiences so far that made me wish I had been by myself, or it could just be for that the kind of traveling I want to do in my life is best done without a partner.

It forces me to be more outgoing, which I usually have trouble doing if there are other people around. If someone else is there to do all the work with talking to people or making friends, I usually take the back burner position and get awkward.

I can take my time with photography, and that's good because I hate making the people I'm with wait while I set up a good shot. Or if they don't want to wait for me, I then lose opportunities or composition time while I run to catch up with them.

Canceling or changing plans only affects me, and when I'm the only one disappointed or messed up on changing dates or times, then it doesn't matter how much I re-book that flight or switch to a different hostel.

My passiveness doesn't get taken advantage of when I'm alone. I'm a people-pleaser, and that tends to lead me to do stuff I don't want to do, or just go along with whatever the rest of the pack does, all because I don't like conflict.

Everything becomes more flexible and I can go where I want to on my own time and leave a museum if I get bored and not wait around for someone else. I can stay longer in a location if I want to, or do something spontaneous.

No coordinating with people on dates means I can pack up whenever I want and just go. It gets complicated to find a date that works for everyone, so if I'm flying solo, it means I can go when I'm free and not wait.

If inspired, I can stop and write or blog, which can mean five minutes or an hour if I'm feeling something come to my head. Since I'm always trying to come up with new content for my website, I don't want to inconvenience someone with my artistic nature.

I do things I wouldn't do at home when I'm alone. I become oddly braver when I have to step up to the plate to be able to accomplish something and that often happens when I'm alone because I don't have someone I know side-eyeing me if they think I'm crazy.

Of course, all of this doesn't mean I won't travel with people. I am definitely not against that. It's just that sometimes it's easier and better for me to take the jump and plunge by myself because that way I get to see the world and all its beauty. I'm very okay with sharing this experience with someone else as well, but I can't always be waiting around for that perfect travel partner to turn up, so I know that I just have to do it and go, and if that means a solo trip, then bring it on!

What do you prefer? Solo, with a friend, a small group, or a large tour?