Stopped Waiting and Started Exploring the World - Alone

Why?
That’s the big question.
Why Slovenia?
Why now?
Why alone? 

I wasn’t quite sure. But I knew that once I got there, it would be life-changing. Whatever I was going to explore, I was going for a reason—I just needed to discover what it was.

That was the first entry in my travel journal during a month-long solo trip abroad. I had just graduated and had always dreamt of escaping to some far-off place. But finding someone willing and able to join me? That proved difficult.

Eventually, I realized that if I truly wanted to start living, I couldn’t keep waiting on someone else.

So I stopped waiting.

And I booked the flight. Alone.

Looking back, it’s still one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Why Go Solo?

Solo travel can feel intimidating. All the questions and unknowns. You wonder:
Will it be lonely? Unsafe? Even fun without anyone else there?

But here’s what I’ve learned after that first trip—and many more since:
Solo travel doesn’t isolate you. It liberates you.

It taught me more about myself and the world than any classroom, job, or everyday routine ever could.

Here are the top three reasons why I believe everyone should travel solo—at least once.

1. Freedom and Flexibility

When you travel alone, every moment belongs to you. There’s no need to compromise or negotiate plans. You don’t have to explain why you want to linger in a café, skip the museums, or wander aimlessly down cobblestone alleys.

This kind of freedom lets you truly discover a place—and fall in love with the world on your own terms. Each experience feels more personal, more profound, and completely tailored to you.

2. Deeper, Richer Experiences

Solo travel heightens all your senses. You notice the smell of spring flowers, the tiny patterns on tiled streets, the sound of a guitar playing a familiar tune in the park. You’re more present, more aware, more connected.

It’s not just about being in a new place without a companion—it’s about seeing the world, and yourself, in an entirely new light.

Whether I was navigating unfamiliar streets, dining alone in bustling cafés, or striking up unexpected conversations with strangers, I noticed things—small but meaningful—that I likely would have missed in the company of others.

You don’t just connect more deeply to places—you connect more with people, too.

Strangers are more likely to approach you when you’re on your own. Curious conversations flow naturally. You find yourself talking to locals and fellow travelers in ways that simply don’t happen when you’re part of a group. Some of these small chats become lifelong friendships. Others leave you with nothing more than a smile and a story. But both are equally memorable.

And funny enough, despite being alone, I’ve never felt less lonely.

3. Self-Discovery and Growth

Travel is the ultimate test of your comfort zone. It pushes you to ask hard questions, make snap decisions, solve problems, and trust yourself.

Being alone in a new place forces you to tune in to your instincts, desires, patterns and values. It helps you begin to understand what really matters to you and what doesn’t.

You learn to listen to yourself. And, more importantly, to believe in yourself.

Reflections From my First Adventure

Here’s what I wrote in my journal on the flight home from that first solo adventure:

"It’s hard to explain how I feel in this moment. There’s a beautiful simplicity to it—an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I’m so proud of myself for just going, for tuning out the doubts and stepping into the unknown. I’ve discovered what I’m capable of. I know now that I can do anything."

That trip gave me more than just memories. It gave me independence, clarity, and the belief that I am enough—on my own.

And while I still love traveling with others, nothing compares to what I’ve gained by going solo.

If You’re Waiting for a Sign—This Is It

There will never be a perfect time. But there is time—and it’s yours.

So book the trip. Take the leap. Go alone.

You might be surprised by the version of yourself that’s waiting on the other side.