Two years ago, you couldn’t pay me to do just about anything by myself, let alone travel by myself. Time changes things and us, and suddenly the things you never saw yourself doing become part of your reality.

In life, no one else could possibly share the exact same thoughts, feelings, or experiences as you. Last summer I set off on a road trip across the U.S., alone. I visited friends and family along the way but on the trip itself, I wandered alone. I had the chance to listen to my own thoughts, reflect, and solely just be. I got to see and experiences places I didn’t even know existed and learned that sometimes the best travel companion is in fact, one’s self.

Naturally solitude has the power of returning us to our center and reminding us of our identity. While you discover the world, you also confront your truest self. Traveling alone allows you to set the pace of your own journey. It teaches you to embrace the unfamiliar and inspires you to step outside of your comfort zone.

Traveling alone leaves you no choice but to venture into the unknown, both physically and mentally. You will become more confident in your own skin, and view the world in an entirely new light. While you develop a passion for new experiences, you also adapt to the only constant thing in life: change.

The thought of venturing alone can be exciting, terrifying, and rewarding all at the same time. If you’re on the fence about traveling alone here’s 5 reasons why you should:

You will cherish the little things in life. When you're traveling alone, you get a lot of time to live in the present and learn to cherish it. You discover the beautiful things Mother Nature has to offer. You will begin to treasure every sunrise, sunset, and breath of fresh air.

You will understand your individuality. Traveling alone gives you time to think about who you are and who you want to be. It allows you to slow down and reflect, possibly even discovering something new about yourself. You may even have a hidden talent inside of you. I had no idea I enjoyed writing as much as I do until I started a travel journal.

You will discover how strong you are. Every experience during solo travel, whether good or bad contributes to your strength as an individual. You will be alone when you take that unforgettable hike or watch that magical sunset. Whatever you face, you face on your own. Any decision you make, you make on your own. You quickly learn to trust your own intuition and will come to realize while you enjoy being around others, you become mentally stronger traveling alone.

You will learn to step outside your comfort zone. It is important to push your boundaries while traveling alone; it is empowering to see how many things you can actually do, even when you never imagined you would be. Traveling alone gives you the healthy push you need to step outside your comfort zone, being able to accept the challenges that will present themselves along the way. Your priorities and attitude towards life will change more than you imagined.

You won’t return the way you left. Solitude renews your spirit and your energy. Traveling alone changes your perspective on the world around you, and the way you view others and yourself. You learn to embrace figuring things out on your own, gaining one of the most powerful traits, independence. You know if you can endure, blossom, and actually enjoy navigating your way around a new territory, you can do anything.

Your journey will bring you to this center within yourself and if you find yourself wandering far enough, you may even meet yourself.