Every so often, we need a change in our daily lives and a break from the area that we live. That is why traveling to other cities, states or countries is a valuable experience. Not much can beat the experience of taking a road trip with some of your closest friends. But in the past year, I’ve discovered the value of traveling alone. There have been so many opportunities for me to experience new things or ways of life when I’ve traveled alone compared to when I’ve travel with friends or family. There has always been a set plan when traveling with a group, but I’ve noticed that when I have the chance to travel alone, I always have the opportunity to experience the unexpected.

To truly deviate from the current situations of your daily life, traveling alone is one option that gives you that opportunity. Being in a new place alone and surrounded by strangers can be scary but it can also be a rewarding experience. You are almost forced to interact with new people who have completely different perspectives than you. When I travel with my friends, I never really interact with new people because I always have those friends to rely on. I met so many great people because I was on my own, and even created some friendships. Interaction with strangers is a great way to immerse yourself in new cultures and experience different paths of life different from your own.

Traveling alone is also a great way to just lose yourself and escape from whatever it is that you need to get away from back home. I love walking around a new city without a plan and seeing where a random adventure takes me. This offers a level of spontaneity that I have never been able to experience when traveling with a group of people. Through traveling alone I’ve been able to discover new things about me and become a stronger individual because of it.

Not only does traveling alone create opportunities to experience entirely new things, you also don’t have to worry about anyone else during your travels. Not having to worry about someone comes is great especially when something goes wrong during a trip. For example, I recently flew across the country but experienced so many troubles with delayed and cancelled flights. Because I was alone, I didn’t experience much stress from the entire situation. I was able to just sleep overnight at the airport because I had to the freedom to do so. Hearing friends or family members complain or become frustrated with the situation would’ve only gave me unnecessary stress. It is much easier to take care of yourself when traveling than it is to take care of others.

Of course there are dangers when traveling alone, but there are always dangers for any person when alone. You just have to be more cautious of where you’re traveling, but common sense and a little research of the area can make your travels much safer. I love traveling alone because by allowing myself to get lost in a new area, I’m able to find out new things about myself.