To Solo or Not to Solo

First, I’ll say, there is much respect reserved for people who go out and do “social things” alone. It’s seen as a mark of maturity and confidence and in certain situations it’s just plain ballsy. Going out to see a movie, dining out in a popular restaurant, checking out a ballgame or a concert – going solo in these social settings can be liberating. You may discover something new about yourself or pay attention to things you hadn’t before. I definitely recommend challenging yourself to try it (if that would be a challenge for you). However, going solo on a trip to a foreign country, or even another state, is a whole other beast. 

Now, we all know there are plenty of people who trek across the globe on their own journeys of self-discovery (many of them have their own travel blogs!). Or you may personally know someone who just likes to go off alone once a year to a mountain cabin to reflect on life or work on his memoir. To each, his own and more power to them! It truly is a mark of confidence and shows a desire for self-awareness – good stuff. But I would say, if you’re a newbie traveler or you’ve never been out of the country before, take a friend. 

Experiencing a new country, people, and culture is an exciting experience. It’s one that you’ll want to share. Having a friend with you to co-experience a truly awesome moment or to capture those photos of you in front of the Eiffel Tower (selfies are nearly impossible in this case, trust me) is indispensable. 

Not only will you be able to share all the fun, but you’ll also have each other’s backs. Being safe in foreign country is a no-brainer (though…it does require using your brain – more on that in another post). The good old buddy system rule comes into play here. You can research to your hearts content, but when you’re lost in the seedy part of Camden, you’ll feel loads better knowing you’re not there alone. Plus two heads are better than one – it’s much easier to work your way out of a sticky situation with two minds engaged in the process.

I will confess, I have not yet ventured out on a solo trip. I’m sure there are many benefits to this, but I haven’t experienced them…yet. When I do, I’ll be sure to fill you in on what I learn. Until then, you’re probably wondering how to actually get a friend to commit to a big trip – see more about that here.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Please share below.