Why you should be traveling alone at least once this New Year

Remember that trip to the mountains you were planning with your friends this New Year? Or maybe you can better recall how that trip got cancelled because one friend couldn’t make it and suddenly the rest decided ‘it wasn’t worth it’? You may also remember that family getaway you had planned, only for it to be cut short because ‘someone fell ill’? Perhaps, you’ll better recollect telling yourself in those moments that traveling alone was a better option.

I was nineteen years old when I took my first solo trip. Fresh out of 2nd year of college, I needed some time for myself to figure out my future plans, and declutter my thought closet. Though I didn’t make a giant leap of faith and throw myself on a trek to the Himalayas, I did go to a nearby hill station and enjoy two days of absolute solitude. I remember being anxious while reaching my destination. But the moment I was at a local tea stall, sipping on a cup of hot masala chai, the anxiousness faded away. As the view of the sun setting behind the mountains splayed before me, the importance of traveling alone sunk in.

Traveling alone is not only an intimidating idea, but may also make some feel uncomfortable. The possibility of undertaking a journey without your travel bestie can be perplexing. However, traveling alone is possibly the best gift you can give to yourself, apart from a hot cup of tea, especially when traveling is on top of your New Year resolutions’ list.

Perks of traveling alone this New Year

While giving you a sense of freedom, traveling alone has some very interesting and tempting benefits as well:

1. Befriend complete strangers and embrace new cultures

Maybe the first and foremost perk yet fear of traveling alone is the encounter with strangers. The stomach turning, ‘butterfly-giving’ feeling is the first and foremost challenge for a solo traveler. In full honesty, you will be forced to talk to a lot of strangers when traveling alone. While asking for directions and recommendations you may even pick up a few friends along the way from either other tourist groups or locals. The best possible way to befriend a stranger is over a cup of tea, something that both locals and tourists enjoy. Similarly, when it comes to new cultures, as a traveler you can easily adapt to the colours and traditions of a new place. Not only will this give you the opportunity to learn new and fascinating things but will also help you be a bit thrifty if necessary.

2. Dine whenever, wherever- without any judgements

According to Erica Gordon, author of ‘Aren’t You Glad You Read This’, traveling alone gives you the chance to enjoy your food without any throwback gossip or conversations. You can eat whatever you want, whenever you want, without asking someone else the question- ‘What do you want to eat?’ When you’re traveling and discovering some of the world’s most amazing cuisines, it’s an absolute charade if you don’t take the time to savour it properly. A solo dinner lets you enjoy the entire aroma and taste of your food. Similarly, when traveling alone, there is no specific time to indulge in a dish. And if you ever get worried about indigestion, give your body a break and sip on some of ChaiSpa’s Trupti, a tea which will make digestion of all those scrumptious meals easier.

3. Follow your own schedule

It’s almost dreadful when someone else on a trip with you devises an entire schedule which begins at the buffet table at 7 am, and ends at 2 am. The entire idea to relax can sometimes get thrown out the window if you have to follow the others and their strict schedule. However, when traveling alone, you get to be the master of your time and energy. When on solo trips, you can be a complete tourist, and look around in wide-eyed wonder, or laze around in your hotel, relaxing by the pool with a cup of detox tea and a book. You can finally let go of the anxiety and worries that come with making this New Year better than the last one.

4. Bragging right

Ever felt that tinge of jealousy every time one of your friends bragged about their solo trip in a New Year party to commemorate their previous year? Well, with a trip of your own, you get to brag guilt-free over a cup of tea about a destination you conquered all alone. The empowerment you will feel once you tell others about your solo adventures is something no money can ever buy. Plus, it’s just a great feeling to hear a small ‘wow’ or ‘that’s so cool’ every time you recount your travel escapades.

5. Discover a new outlook on life

Maybe this will forever be the best part of traveling alone. Stories of solo adventures and mishaps apart, nothing beats the kind of perspective you gain in life once you travel alone. Traveling alone puts you in situations that maybe stressful, difficult, uncomfortable or even dangerous. However, you come out of these as a much stronger person that before. It will give clarity about your life. A solo trip can be the solution to a mid-life crises or conflicting thoughts that you may be facing. Traveling alone will give you time to self-reflect, which will ultimately lead to self-betterment.

A New Year Resolution for Traveling Alone

Every once in a while, you should step up to test out foreign waters alone. Traveling alone gives you a life changing experience. You can finally enjoy some silence with your own thoughts, do what you want, without worrying about the feelings or expectations of others. It allows you to become a more open-minded and brave person. Furthermore, once you get to introspect, you can finally dump all those thoughts that you didn’t want to start the New Year with.

As a person who has taken several solo trips, I have only one advice for you this New Year. While you make a list of all those resolutions that went unfinished from last year, take another one. One that will help you change in ways you cannot possibly imagine. Make solo tripping a thought you cannot ignore this New Year. Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a new hobby, something you’re good at or perhaps even find a partner for your future quests. All you need is some motivation, clothes, a handy bag and maybe a handful of wellness tea bags. You know, just in case if you get too nervous.