The Solo Trip That Changed My Mind

“I don’t think I ever want to go on a solo trip,” is something I remember saying to a friend within the past couple of years. 

Of course, I'm comfortable doing most things alone, but the idea of going on an entire trip by myself never had any appeal to me. I absolutely admired people that went on solo trips and told stories of their travels and cool things they did; I love it for other people! But it didn’t seem like something I’d ever be capable of, or even enjoy. 

I thought, what’s the fun of going somewhere new if I don’t have someone to share it with? If I don’t have someone to talk to and be hilarious with at all times? If I don’t have funny inside jokes to keep alive the entire trip? What good is anything if I’m not giggling the whole time….

It sounded really lonely and scary, and I didn’t believe I was the type of person built for it. I realize now I was selling myself a little short. I’m happy to report that my first solo trip was a complete success! 

First, I’ll explain how my mindset about solo travel changed, then I’ll talk about the trip itself, what I loved and gained from it, and a bit about solo traveling in Thailand in general.

My Decision to Solo Travel

So how did I get from point A to point B — never wanting to go on a solo trip to doing one and loving it? The short answer is that my best friend was busy!! It's very silly, I know.

I had a 4-day weekend and the world was my oyster, but my travel partner in crime wasn’t available. You see my dilemma. I was still determined to plan something great, I couldn’t let an opportunity to travel pass me by. Thus, the necessity to solo travel was born. If I had truly felt too scared to try this, then I wouldn’t have, but my want to travel was greater than my fear of doing it alone. I knew I had it in me and I should at least try, so I decided to woman up and go for it.

Once I was set on this, I was really romanticizing it, hoping I would gain the same coolness and worldliness as people who solo travel. Slowly, the excitement started to outweigh the fear.

The Trip

I booked a 3 night stay at a yoga and meditation retreat in Chiang Mai, Thailand, tucked away in the mountains about an hour outside of the city. Quiet, slow, and mindful was the theme of this trip. It’s a place to slow down and reconnect with yourself and with nature.

The entire property is breathtaking and feels really thought out. The panoramic view of the sunset over the mountains during evening yoga can’t be beat.

I booked a nature tent, fully equipped with electricity and the essentials, that was propped up on a platform with a roof overhead as well to protect from the sun and rain. The platform made a kind of deck where I had a rocking chair and could look out onto my beautiful view of the banana plantation and mountains. To say I was obsessed doesn’t even cut it, I was so sad to leave my little oasis for 3 nights.

This is what the daily schedule looked like: 

The retreat has a couple yoga teachers in rotation so you are experiencing all different teaching styles and types of yoga during your stay, which I found really valuable. The daily activities are also in rotation throughout the week, so I was able to try ice baths and get an oil massage! 

Days of flavorful Thai food being presented to me, 4 hours of yoga and meditation, more self care activities, new friends, and a 10pm bedtime? Easily one of the best things I’ve ever paid money for. 

I liked that for my first solo trip I didn’t have to think about accommodation or food, as that was all included. Not to mention the food is DELICIOUS and all vegan or vegetarian. The focal point is the yoga and meditation, and with the free time outside of that, you could be as social or antisocial as you desired — there was no pressure. Though all meals are eaten together, everyone there is really chill, and there are about 15 people partaking in the retreat at any time. 

Side note: If you are in Thailand wanting to do something like this, go here! I only have good things to say about this retreat and the people who run it. 

What I Learned from My Solo Travel 

1. Making friends is easier than you think!

One of the things I was most afraid of was having to make friends. I was worried I’d be the odd one out, and when I was sitting down for dinner the first night, I convinced myself everyone was already friends with each other and therefore would have no interest in me. The woman across from me at the table asked “did you just get here today too?” and suggested we could talk since everyone else seemed familiar with each other. This made me realize that everyone who solo travels is in the same boat. Everyone arrives for the first time probably with that same anxiety, but eventually gets to the other side of it. And I soon fell into conversation with many others at the table that night and every other meal.

2. Be open-minded

About everything, but especially when it comes to the people you'll meet. Most of the attendees at this retreat were from all over the world. I got to talk extensively to people from Australia, Germany, Brazil, who were my age or twice my age. I learned so much; I added new places to my travel bucket list and new books to my shelf. Talking to people who grew up differently and live completely different lives than you is so essential. You realize you aren’t that different at all when you’re laughing at the same thing, and hearing different perspectives on global topics reminds you how much there still is to learn.

3. Try to remain present at all times

This is something that resonated with me through the yoga and meditation practices and I know will forever be useful to me. I know I am sometimes guilty of always looking forward to the next thing, which keeps me from fully appreciating what I'm experiencing in the moment. I am especially taking this to heart as I am wrapping up my last month of teaching and want to soak it all in as the time inevitably flies by. 

4. I am more capable than I thought

Maybe most importantly, I left being really proud of myself and that’s a great feeling. I surprised myself with how much I pushed myself out of my comfort zone on this trip.

What Solo Travel in Thailand Is Like

For anyone considering solo traveling but feeling intimidated to start, Thailand is a really approachable and beginner-friendly place to try it. It’s generally regarded as a really easy-to-navigate, safe, and affordable destination for travelers. The backpacker scene here is huge, making it rather easy to meet people through hostels or activities. There are endless opportunities to meet tons of other solo travelers figuring it out just like you are.

Would I Do It Again?

Yes!

Not because it was glamorous or perfect, but because it proved to me that I can trust myself. I can go to new places, be by myself, be my own friend, or make new ones. It feels amazing to challenge the limits we put on ourselves. Turns out, I’m exactly the type of person who can go on a solo trip!