Rome and Vatican City are two of the most popular destinations for solo travelers.
We often want to do something we feel would be good for us, but our fear is usually holding us back. Maybe we want to experience something new, like traveling alone, but we are scared of change.
Solo traveling is a challenge. Probably not for everyone, as many travelers love exploring the world and can’t imagine a travel buddy on their journeys. But if you’re someone like me, who loves sharing and experiencing all the new things with a friend or a loved one, it might be difficult for you to start an adventure alone.
When you’re thinking about solo traveling, I would like to encourage you to try it. I never planned on traveling alone in my past, but sometimes things happen when you don’t expect them at all.
Before I experienced my first solo traveling as a woman, I quit my job and had a month of free time before starting the new one. For sure, I wanted to fill this time with a new adventure, but there was nobody who would travel with me!
I believe this is quite common. When you don’t have time and money, you desperately want to travel. When you have time and money, there isn’t a travel buddy to go with you. That was exactly my case.
Everybody was busy and couldn’t join me! If you’re a passionate traveler and have a crazy busy office life, you will understand. I didn’t want to waste my time sitting at home for a month, so I decided to go on a solo trip to Rome.
Vatican City
Are you in the same situation and can’t decide whether to travel solo or not? Here you can find the 4 significant benefits of traveling alone:
1. You’ll step out of your comfort zone and grow your personality
This is something you’re going to experience from the beginning to the end of your journey. The moment you decide to travel alone, you are stepping out of your comfort zone and relying on yourself. You may go through many challenging moments, and sometimes you might regret that you’re alone. Don’t give up! Those uncomfortable situations make you stronger not only for this little vacation but for your whole future. You grow your personality!
I was sitting for the first time alone in the plane and looking around at happy families and couples in love. At that moment, I regretted I’m traveling alone. When I exited the airport, I couldn’t find the way to my hotel as my phone was not working. I had to deal with a hotel manager because my single room was so small I could barely fit in, and the list went on. In some moments, it even didn’t feel like a vacation. It felt like a full travel challenge program I paid for.
Those were just some of the obstacles I had to go through, but I overcame them all! You know what? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. If you get to a situation you don’t like, take it as a learning experience and try to make the best of it. And the best thing? When you overcome the obstacles, they will never come back.
St. Peter’s Square - Vatican City
2. You’ll understand yourself and your needs better
One of the best things about solo traveling is that you’ll learn to be a little bit selfish. You’ll have enough time to enjoy yourself and spoil yourself. I can imagine some of you aren’t used to it, but trust me, this is especially important for your well-being. If you always care about what others want or need, now it’s time for yourself!
On my lovely trip, I enjoyed my daily routines when nobody told me when to wake up, what to do the whole day, when to have breakfast, or when to turn off the lights and go to bed. It was a perfect time to focus on the best daily travel routine for me.
If you’re someone who always spends free time according to your partner, friend, or family member, solo traveling will teach you to spend time according to your needs and preferences. It will help you better understand what you like, what you prefer, and what you enjoy the most.
Just follow your intuition, your own needs, and if someone asks you later again what you would like to do, eat, or where to go, you won’t need to say again – “I don’t know,” or “It’s up to you.” You’ll know exactly what you want!
Roman Ruins in Rome - Italy
3. You may find your life purpose
I believe this is one of the main reasons people decide to travel alone. Some of them may be inspired by the book Eat, Pray, Love. If you feel the same way, it’s an excellent reason for a journey alone. Sometimes we think we need to leave our daily routine and find out who we are or what we want to accomplish in life.
I didn’t find my life purpose on my trip, but at that time, many years ago, I was not even looking for it. I was excited about the new life journey that helped me find my life purpose many years later. It can also happen to you. When the time comes, you always receive the message you need!
If you feel you need to spend time with yourself to listen to yourself better, here are some practices that personally helped me to find my way:
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Find a quiet place and try to clear your mind with meditation or yoga
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Note your thoughts and experiences from your journey in a travel journal/travel book
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Spend most of your time with things that fulfill you and make you happy
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Focus on one thing you enjoyed the most as a kid and implement it into your routine
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Disconnect from people you don’t feel comfortable being around
The most important thing of all is listening to your inner voice, intuition, and following it even if your brain says it doesn’t make sense. If you feel it, you’re on the right track! If you’re thinking about something you would like to do and have butterflies in your belly, this is the sign and the inner voice I’m talking about.
Vatican Gardens - Vatican City
4. You may find your soulmate
Many people think your soulmate must be your life partner. Well, not necessarily. It can be just the person who vibrates on the same level as you do. Do you know how you recognize it? You’ll feel it. You’ll love spending time together and enjoy your talks and walks. You’ll feel like someone understands you, and you both have so much in common.
Usually, when we spend more time with ourselves, we do things we enjoy and love. When we do so, we feel happy and attract people who feel the same way. If you’d like to meet new friends or your soulmate, it’s a good start to feel good about yourself first. Then you may attract people you wish to have in your life and build long-term relationships.
On my trip, I also met new friends. If you’re an introverted person and don’t like going to bars or restaurants alone, go to check out your favorite sights and book a tour in a group. This way, I met solo travelers who were as happy as I was to meet someone new!
Colosseum in Rome - Italy
Conclusion - Is solo traveling worth it?
I won’t lie to you. This trip was quite challenging for me, but it was worth it. When I went through my Travel Challenge Book - Europe today and saw Rome on one of the pages, I was thinking how much I grew through this experience.
If you’re thinking about whether or not to travel alone, go for it! You have nothing to lose! It’s an experience that will bring you many benefits and will enrich your life. Just follow your intuition, listen to yourself, overcome the fear of the unknown, and enjoy this fantastic self-exploration journey.
I wish you good luck on your adventure!