The thought of being on my own especially in a foreign land until now scares me. I not only dreaded the feeling of what could go wrong, but also the gazillion of possible scenarios of what could be. All my life I’ve been protected and sheltered, in fact way too much. I have my own fears. And getting out of the comfort zone- giving up convenience is such a big leap for me. I’m sure it is not just me. Almost everyone of us is brain wired to always go for the safest way.
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| Pulling off a local hat at the Mekong Delta River :) |
So, when I have finally decided to leave and travel on my own; it wasn’t just about me getting out of my comfort zone. Being away from home for months has opened my eyes to a whole lot of things and has helped me explore the possibilities I never thought possible.
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| With my Spanish friend, Alba as we see the beautiful sunrise of Angkor Wat |
Perhaps most people, especially your family and loved ones will discourage you to travel alone. Security and safety issues. What if you are kidnapped? What if there is a terrorist threat? And the list goes on. Their concerns are valid, but the benefits of doing it simply just overshadow the risks. It is just a matter of taking the precautions and being careful when you are traveling.
Why should you travel alone? Here are the reasons why you should:
Traveling alone allows you to discover more about yourself.
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| I literally stopped here because I got lost and when I looked at the street signs haha in Thai |
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| Danang, Vietnam: I was the only one walking. Felt really scared that time lol |
Most of us would think that we completely know ourselves until you experience the bad or rather the worst times. All of a sudden, you feel like there is something missing and that you have lost your way in the process. But when you travel alone, you don’t just get to discover new places. You spend time to discover more about yourself.
There are so many dimensions about yourself that you get to know. I never thought I could survive traveling alone especially when I know that I am geographically challenged. I am just terrible with maps and navigation. Yes, even if the map turns right still I wouldn't get it right lol. Either I end up having the wrong orientation or I'd get to the place where I want to go. Somehow I managed and I survived.
There are so many dimensions about yourself that you get to know. I never thought I could survive traveling alone especially when I know that I am geographically challenged. I am just terrible with maps and navigation. Yes, even if the map turns right still I wouldn't get it right lol. Either I end up having the wrong orientation or I'd get to the place where I want to go. Somehow I managed and I survived.
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| That photo frame background at Angkor Wat |
2 It forces you to stop playing it too safe.
At home, everything is convenient. You have your food prepared. Your family and friends are there. When you travel alone, it is completely different. You have to get out of your way to find a nice place. There are times when you have to eat terrible food. Trial and error. In short, you are forced to stop playing safe. It is just you and how you deal things should worse case scenarios arise.
You will have to try new food even if you are not sure if they taste good. Even if you are anti-social, you have to socialize unless you want to be a wandering troglodyte in your entire trip. You will have to go out all the time and since you spent money just to get there, you would not want to get stuck in the hostel. It does not matter whether you are traveling along or if you are in a group, you will really go out on an adventure. Then, you realize, why the heck did you waste a lot of time playing it way too safe?
You will have to try new food even if you are not sure if they taste good. Even if you are anti-social, you have to socialize unless you want to be a wandering troglodyte in your entire trip. You will have to go out all the time and since you spent money just to get there, you would not want to get stuck in the hostel. It does not matter whether you are traveling along or if you are in a group, you will really go out on an adventure. Then, you realize, why the heck did you waste a lot of time playing it way too safe?
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| Ferry ride with friends I met in Phnom Penh |
Solo traveling will take you to places you’ve never been.
Traveling takes you to new places, but traveling alone takes you to places you thought you've never been. Of course, it is also fun when you are traveling with family, friends or a loved one. Yet, when you travel alone, you can go to places without having to worry if the person with you wants to go there or not. If you are up for an adventure, you just find a way how to get there and that's it. What happens in between is your own kind of adventure and believe me, the experience is worth it.
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| Vietnam |
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| Hoan Kiem Lake, Vietnam |
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| Beautiful Temple on a Mountain Top in Penang, Malaysia |
4 You meet people from all walks of life.
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| Lovely people I met in Saigon |
It changes your perspective.
As we meet people, experience many things, and be in a completely different world, we come to realize that there are so many things that we still have to see and learn.Traveling to places allow you to have a clearer and much better perspective about life, people, and societies in general. In these trips, you allow yourself to immerse in various cultures and to let go of your inhibitions as you wander deep into the maze of adventures called life.
In the end you realize that travel isn't solely about fun and partying. But rather a way to get to know yourself and how you can be an instrument to help others and be of social relevance.
Go out. Talk with people. Learn from them. Observe. Be Kind.
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| Enjoying free beer in one of the hostels in Vietnam |
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