Learn to embrace the joy of traveling alone!

Dream of traveling solo but can’t seem to find a way to make it happen? Fear is the number one reason many women choose not to travel by themselves – but loneliness and boredom are close runners up. While safety, loneliness and boredom are stark realities of solo travel, surrendering to them means sacrificing the benefits waiting for you on the other side of the curb. 

From facing your fears to testing personal limits, confidence will be your first powerful discovery when you travel solo. You’ll learn to measure risks based on experience, not fear of the unknown. And I can testify that it’s pretty damn heady to be 100% in charge of yourself – and to be confident that you know what you’re doing. Even if you’re not certain what the outcome will be.

Ready to reap the happy rewards of solo travel?

Quiet moments

I travel a lot for work and when I’m on the road, I’m always talking to co-workers, customers or family back home – either face to face or on my phone. Quiet moments, for me, are few and far between – but I seize and savor them when I can. At a convention in Florida last month, I slipped outside between sessions and sat on the stairs to soak up the sun. In fact, I did this so often I came home with a sunburn – and I hadn’t spent any time at a pool. A little bit of stolen bliss, just for me.

People watching

One of the great things about traveling solo is freedom from making excuses when I don’t want to do something. If a free afternoon bubbles up out of nowhere, I can spend my time doing whatever I want. And if all I want to do is park myself at an outdoor café, sip lattes and watch the world go by, I can do that. Sometimes people watching can be like meditation, healing balm for a busy soul. Nothing accomplished. Goal achieved.

Making new friends

From random conversations in airports to taxi drivers to hotel and restaurant staff, I make friends wherever I go. I’ve had conversations with people from around the globe and each one has taught me a little something about the world (and sometimes myself) I didn’t know before. I once sat beside a Disney animator on a 5-hour flight and we talked the entire time. He was afraid of flying and I was his distraction. We didn’t exchange contact info when we landed and I couldn’t tell you his name if you offered me a million dollars. But I enjoyed that flight more than I’ve ever enjoyed a flight before – or since.

Room service with my favorite Netflix shows

Because much of my solo travel is business related, downtime is scarce. But once in a while, my dinner date cancels and I’m on my own for a whole evening. And sometimes, the city or area I’m staying isn’t appealing for dinning alone at a restaurant. Let’s be honest, a woman alone at an airport hotel’s restaurant or bar can send signals that are easily misinterpreted – and that conversation gets old fast.

Sometimes room service and a Netflix binge is exactly what you need. That sounds boring, you might be thinking. But if you’re a busy mom or stress is your desk buddy at work, this kind of bliss is priceless.

A gazillion pillows in your bed

Do I really need to explain this one? Nope, didn’t think so!

I love to travel with my family and my husband and my girlfriends but traveling alone delivers a unique kind pleasure to my busy life. Safety and boredom are equal parts of the equation, but that’s okay. Get creative and enjoy the time with yourself with no one else in the world to answer to.

Do you love to travel as much as we do? We’d love to hear your solo travel stories. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and let’s talk!