Traveling alone is boring and lonely, said those who’ve probably never experienced it. Well, it might be daunting and unusual at first but once you take that plunge there is no other way you’d like to have it. Trust me, it’s one of the most liberating and life-changing experiences you can have. I recently went for my first solo trip to the beautiful Tirthan Valley in Himachal Pradesh and it left me mesmerized. Not for a moment was I apprehensive of my decision, scared or felt lonely. People asked me weren’t you bored? I smiled and said without any reservations”Not at all” because I was busy living the best time of my life. I was busy taking deeper breaths, I was busy silencing my thoughts, I was busy nudging away all insecurities and fears. With snow mountains all around you, cascading waterfalls, chirping birds, enchanting sunrise and sunsets who could get bored?
As you travel solo, you are totally responsible for yourself and it’s inevitable that you will discover just how capable you are. It pushes you out of your comfort zone to try new things, to make friends in unfamiliar places, to have heartfelt conversations with strangers, to find peace in the chaos and bring back hundreds of memories that’ll bring a smile on your face for years to come. What’s life without having a chance to fully live it? I am not saying that travelling solo is the only or the best way to do it but it’s going to expose you to a spectrum that you never truly knew existed. It provides you a beautiful opportunity to live life in a new way, to follow your heart, dive into the wild, and free yourself from all labels and preconceived notions.
Traveling solo does not really mean you’re alone, you’ll end up making friends in the most unexpected places. The world is full of people who are waiting for you to reach out. Everybody yearns connections. I am so grateful to have met other solo travelers and made beautiful friends everywhere I went throughout my journey. Sure you’ll have to mindful and make wise decisions to ensure safety but trust me it’s not that petrifying after all. I was invited by the locals to their home for meals and spending time with them, like how heartwarming is that? Once you open your mind and heart, people open up their lives to you. Sitting and having a meal with at the fireplace with a family, exchanging life stories and enjoying warm hugs from angel-faced children will be so soothing to your soul, you can’t even imagine.
If you keep waiting for the right time to travel, the right place to travel to or the right someone to travel with, you’ll end up waiting a lifetime. Just do it already! You’ll experience a sense of freedom and accomplishment like never before. I urge you to take up solo travel at least once while you can. Explore the unknown with arms wide open, a curious heart and see life unfold itself to you. If you want to experience incredible things you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone, nothing great ever happens there. And once you do it, you will never truly be home again because a part of your heart will be wandering in nostalgia else or seeking a new adventure.
