Why Solo Travel is Necessary for your Mental Health

By Girl Tyler 

Have you ever felt as though life was getting too loud? Constant demands. Incessant notifications. Neverending meetings. The list goes on and on. Escape from daily demands and fall into a safe space governed by you. Solo travel is the prime time to sit with yourself. Traveling with others requires a bit of flexibility while being alone gives you the freedom to move at your own pace. I’m writing this from my hotel in Vermont. I’m a first-timer here, and the atmosphere is minimalist in comparison to what I’m used to. I’ve already learned a few new things about myself in three short days. I love it here. This is my second solo trip, and I look forward to the next one.

Making the decision to travel alone for the first time may feel counterintuitive at first. You'll shake that feeling off soon and very soon, especially as the anticipation builds. The destination doesn't matter or how you choose to get there. The journey is about growth, peace, and restoration. Establishing trust within is critical on the path to self-discovery. The only voice that matters is yours. You’ll quickly establish what you like and don’t like and test the waters to refine your current taste. There are moments that should be experienced with others and moments that require solitude. Solo travel gives you the opportunity to choose. You'll feel both refreshed and invigorated to face your fears. This special time in your life creates confidence that you won't find anywhere else. You deserve a breath of fresh air in an environment of your choosing.

Solo travel creates a space to reset. You have the ability to think out loud with no distractions. Yes, you still have a life back at home and at work that will crave your attention no matter your location, but that doesn’t matter when you’re focused on navigating new terrain, internally and externally. Pick a destination that introduces you to new cultures, fresh perspectives, and a way of life that you aren’t accustomed to. Your worldview will feel sharper when you return home. Nothing will feel the same because you aren’t the same, and that’s a good thing.

You have one life to live. Live it to the fullest. These days aren’t coming back.

(Safety is a priority, so you shouldn't disappear to an undisclosed location without alerting your family and friends. Share your travel itinerary with your inner circle before your departure. Someone should know where you’re staying in case of an emergency.  Even though you're a big girl and I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T, be vigilant. )