Thinking about going on a solo trip in your 20s? You should totally go for it!! Parents always cite danger and risk when there is any talk of solo travel but I did it (albeit by accident) and lived to tell the tale! And I’m not talking about domestic solo travel either. I’m talking about a solo trip to a whole different country.
I strongly believe that everyone should travel alone at least once in your 20s. Most of us have some spending money and fewer responsibilities than actual ADULT adults. Don’t act like you don’t know what I mean!
What started out as a joint trip turned into a solo trip after my friend and I split up during Spring Break (let’s just chalk it up to creative differences lol). I ended up staying in Geneva, Switzerland for a week alone and it was seriously one of my favorite times during my semester abroad.
Going somewhere by yourself may seem no fun but that’s the thing. It is up to you to create your own fun!! Before I get up on my soapbox in this intro, let’s just jump right in. Lol!
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WHY YOU SHOULD DO A SOLO TRIP IN YOURS 20s
You are forced out of your comfort zone
We all like our comfort zone. It’s safe and warm and familiar. Here’s the thing though, you will never grow as a person if you never push yourself out of it.
Your comfort zone is safe, yet limiting, and keeps you from living your absolute best life. Personal growth comes from doing things that scare you and pushing your boundaries.
Traveling solo will DEFINITELY do that for you. You will 100% have to do things you don’t normally do in your day which leads to my next point…
You learn about yourself
No trip that I went on in Europe ever went off without at least one minor (or MAJOR) hiccup. It’s not until you are in stressful situations that you learn how you will react to them. Do you panic and break down? Do you go into problem-solving mode? Do you dwell on the problem or quickly start finding a solution?
Luckily for me, I learned I tend to stay levelheaded in stressful situations and just resolve to get my shit together.
That’s how I finally found my hotel in Geneva, Switzerland after missing my flight to Budapest, getting lost on the way to said hotel, and then walking alone 2 miles in a snowstorm until I found it.
To make a shitty day worse, I had no cell service either! My only navigation was the little blue GPS dot on Google Maps. LOL I was so fucking proud of myself that I arrived safely that I almost cried to the receptionist. I was so relieved.
Experiences like that bolster your confidence and remind you that you’re an independent badass that can get through anything.
You learn new skills
You learn so much when you are forced to. I think Ghandi said that. Haha JK! But the statement is still true. You pick up skills on the fly when you are traveling alone like how to navigate foreign subway systems, how to buy bus tickets, and in some cases even how to use their weird toilets!
A solo trip forces you to pick up on some key phrases in a foreign language or at least really good miming skills to communicate your questions to a local lol.
You overcome your fears
After your absolutely awesome trip, you’ll get to look back for years to come and think YEA, I DID THAT. So much better than thinking damn I wish I wasn’t too afraid to go.
Going to a new place by yourself can be intimidating but you can so do it!! Just do your research, book safe accommodations, and be open-minded!
Don’t let fear dictate your life. Conquer your fears and GO!
You become more independent and confident
Decision-making and self-reliance become your new best friends on a solo travel trip. There will be hundreds of little decisions that you’ll have to make all by yourself!
Even the little things like where to eat lunch are all up to you. That’s different when you are traveling with someone because you have their brain to fall back on.
You learn to trust yourself, your decision making, and definitely become better at planning! Look at you, Ms. Independence! 😉
You meet new people
Just because you’re traveling alone doesn’t mean you stay alone your whole trip!! Get out there and interact with people! Talk to the locals, chat with the hotel employees, or make friends with people in your hostel.
You can also book group tours or download an app like Tinder or Bumble to get some human interaction.
Obviously, use caution when you meet up with people from dating apps. Meet publicly during the day, don’t go back to their place and leave a note in your room with the name of who and where you’re meeting!! The people you meet on your trip are gonna make your trip so much more memorable!
You get comfortable being alone
Solo travel teaches you how to enjoy hanging out with yourself and being happy experiencing things alone. Sometimes we think that everything has to be done WITH someone but that’s flawed thinking. What if you don’t have someone? Are you going to wait forever to live your life?
At first, I was really turned off by the idea of going to a restaurant alone but honestly, it’s not bad at all. I had to stop being self-absorbed and realize that no one gives AF if I’m eating alone or not. Lol it’s all in your head! People dine alone all the time and it just goes along with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
I think enjoying one’s own company is an important part of being a generally happy person. A solo trip may be just what you need to learn that life can be awesome all by yourself!
Going on a solo trip in your 20s is a great way to grow as a person and making some really awesome memories for yourself. We are living in quarantine times right now but that gives you more time to plan your perfect solo trip. Go forth, be merry…and travel when it’s safe!
Comment below where you would love to take a solo trip!
Chase your glow,
Kay xo
Curls en Route says
So true! I can totally relate to it all!
Kay Zane says
I’m glad 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Beth Chernes says
My 20s were a wonderful time of self-discovery and travel! You touched on some great points.
Kristina says
I would love to travel solo somewhere 🙂 I have gone places on my own and then met with people I know but to literally just do your own thing would be amazing!
Kay Zane says
Yes, it really is!! Even for a couple of days! Lol no bickering with someone over what to do/where to eat is amazing for real