There are so many things to be learned while traveling, especially while traveling solo. Regardless of how much time you actually spend alone, solo travel allows you room to grow and experience things in a way traveling with others really can’t. Tons of things will happen to you and for you if you travel alone, but I can pretty much guarantee the following six will happen to all solo travelers who open themselves up to their adventures. These are probably the best things that could’ve happened to me during my six week solo adventure in 2016.

1. Solo travel tests your limits and fears, as you’re propelled by curiosity.

Traveling will put you in varying situations and present several opportunities you may not normally consider. Since you’re abroad, you have to do that thing right? You’ll never get a chance to climb that mountain, swim in that cave or see the far away beach again. So you are more inclined to do those things. You may move past fears, even if only momentarily. Some fears may fade away. Curiosity in those small moments will push you out of your comfort zone, so much so you may not even want to go back.

2. Being present.

Surrounding yourself with new places, people, and cultures makes you focus on those things and your present situation. You may become observant and light, as though everything is there for you to look at, study and enjoy in pure wonder. You will find yourself truly living and enjoying each moment.

3. Self-awareness increases.

An extended period of time alone, doing things on your own time and exactly as you want to allows you to realize what you prioritize and value and what you truly enjoy. In our ‘everyday’ lives, we tend to do things out of routine or because we’re expected to. Given so many options of experiences while traveling forces you to truly decide and examine what you enjoy and what interests you. For me, I realized an interest I wasn’t aware I had.

4. Self-confidence grows during solo travel.

This may not happen immediately, but when you’re so busy immersing yourself in a new place and learning about it, all the insecurity society puts on you falls away. Then your mind forgets to worry about those things, and suddenly you’re more open, less inhibited, more confident. Kind of how people are afraid of acting touristy in their hometowns, because as part of that society they are expected to behave a certain way, bringing out certain insecurities. Those will fall away.

5. You become more appreciative.

Those of us who live middle class lives in first world countries have so much the rest of the world is deprived of, it’s easy to take advantage and forget how lucky and fortunate we are. Traveling to more economically-challenged areas really brings those things to light. It may hit you while you’re walking through a poor neighborhood or when you’re looking for something in a grocery store, but at some point or another, you’ll reflect on your circumstances and truly appreciate them.

6. You realize people are inherently good.

This sounds silly, but traveling alone means you’ll occasionally need to rely on strangers. Whether that means asking for directions or a translation, you’ll typically find that locals are more than willing to help. [That said, don’t be those girls from Taken. That happens in real life too!]

I could go on and on about what I learned on my trip in 2016, both about myself and the places I visited. It’s a large part of why I blog: I love to explore and share those explorations and discoveries with others, partly to share with those who can’t make these things happen and partly for those who’s eyes haven’t been opened to the spectacular beauty that is the world we live in. By the way, I love traveling with others too. I’m always on the look out for a fellow wanderer 🙂

*Note: this post is a revised version of a post I created to a previous blog. I have edited it, but the original was mine as well. See that post here.