There will come a time when you say to yourself, "Fuck it, I'll do this alone." I encountered such a situation recently when I tried to set up a trip with my friends. Everyone agreed at first, but then, one by one, they started coming up with excuses not to go. In the end, the trip was canceled, and I was left disappointed as my initiative spiraled to the ground and crashed.
The fact is that many people want to do things they find interesting, but only a few will consider doing them without companions.
After my disappointment, I realized that I don't need friends to travel to these exotic countries or to try out a new restaurant. I can do these things by myself. The world is out there, waiting for me to explore, and I shouldn't let my life depend on someone else's decision.
While it is nice to have someone accompany you, you must also be willing to go alone. If you aren't willing to do these things by yourself, you will end up missing out on many interesting opportunities simply because there's no one around to join you.
Your life is yours. Take control of it.
Further Reading for Inspiration
Looking for more articles to help inspire you to travel more? Here is a collection of articles you might like:
- Hiking to the Everest Base Camp is one of the most memorable epic moments of my life. Here's a long-read piece about my experiences hiking the Everest Base Camp: On My Way To Everest Base Camp.
- Ever wondered what it's like to travel the world on a third-world passport? Check out: Traveling The World On A Third World Passport.
- Here's why I always celebrate turning a year older with a hike: Climbing Kilimanjaro On My 33rd Birthday.
- Are you currently planning a trip around the world and looking for cheap countries to visit? Here are the 13 Cheapest Countries To Visit in the World.
- Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
- Looking for the most beautiful travel blogs to follow? Here are the 24 Most Beautiful Travel Blogs to Follow.
- For adventurers and backpackers out there, here are the 10 Best Adventure and Backpacking Blogs You Should Follow.
- I truly believe we need more Asian representatives in the English-speaking travel blogging industry, especially for blogs about Asia. Here are the Top 10 Kick-Ass Asian Travel Bloggers To Follow.
- Did you know that you can travel without leaving your couch? Here are the 8 Great Travel Books You Should Read.
- For the best travel videos to inspire you to travel even further, here are the 20 Most Creative Travel Videos of All Time.
- If you are looking for travel vloggers to follow on YouTube that aren't cringeworthy, check out: 10 Best Travel Vloggers to Follow On YouTube.
- The best way to improve your photography skills is to learn from the best. Here are the 10 Best Photography YouTube Channels to Follow.
- A photo is worth a thousand words. Here are the 25 Most Beautiful Travel Photos I Ever Took From Around The World.
- Ever wondered what it's like to be a travel blogger during COVID-19? Check out: Being A Travel Blogger During COVID-19 - What Is It Like?
- Looking for off-the-beaten-path destinations to visit this year? Check out: 8 Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Destination to Visit.
- Can't travel internationally for the time being? How about traveling in your own country? Here are the 7 Reasons Why You Should Travel in Your Own Country.
- To find the most inspirational travel quotes and captions to go with your photos on your Instagram, check out 34 Short and Unique Traveller Quotes for Instagram.
- We often hear bad stories about locals from travelers, but what about the other way around? Here are some of the Notorious Stories Of Terrible Backpackers.
- If you lost your bag while you were traveling, here is how to deal with the situation: My Bag Was Stolen In Germany.
- Have you ever felt that you do not belong in a place you were born in? Read this: Where Is Home? - My Quest In Search Of Where I Belong.
- People often preach about how important it is to live in the moment, but sometimes, that may not be such a good idea. Here is The Problem With Living In The Moment.
- Want to embark on your first solo trip but not sure where to go? As a long-time solo traveler, here are my favorite places based on real experiences: 10 Incredible Travel Destinations for Solo Travelers.
- Solo traveling is not for everyone, and even though I love it to death, it is not always flowers and sunshine for solo travelers. Here are the 10 Things I Hate Most When Traveling Solo.
- Travel friends come and go, but that may not be such a bad thing. Here is why you should embrace your travel friends: A Life Of Brief Encounters.
- Hiking is life. Here's why: One Year Of Incredible Discomfort - 10 Things I've Learned From Climbing Mountains.
- Here's why having no plan is the best plan: Magical Things Happen When You Have Nothing To Do - The Art Of Doing Nothing.
- Is life getting you down? Here's why you can't always blame life for everything: Life Doesn't Suck. We Just Suck At Living It.
- Want to know why I chose to travel alone? Read this: We Travel Alone, NOT To Be Alone.
- For a meaningful solo trip, you need to share it with someone. Here is why Happiness Is Only Real When Shared.
- Traveling is no longer for the rich. Here is why: "People Think I'm Rich".
- The Himalayan Mountain is one hell of a teacher. Here are the 7 Life Lessons The Himalayas Taught Me.
- Want to travel alone but scared that you might get bored out of your mind? Here is How To Enjoy Yourself And Have Fun While Traveling Alone.
- Want to start traveling solo as well? Here is What It's Like to Travel Alone.
- For more inspiring articles like this, visit my Inspiration page.
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10 Comments
I ve been through same thing and since then I ve learned to do things alone.
kudos!
I have to do that all the time now, takes some getting used to. Just set up Latitude for a close family member :)
one of the best trips I had, happened when a long lost friend of mine posted on facebook, detailing a photography trip he intended to do. very specific, and to the point. ended up that it was just the two of us who ended up going! Its not worth trying to meet everyone's expectations. if you get a fellow traveller whose expectations match yours, go for it. if not, its totally worth it to do it alone.
nit pick: http://contrastrebellion.com/.
I too have experienced this many times before. My close friends and I have a texting group on GroupMe where we plan things every now and then. Often times, one person ends up bailing last minute which leads to another and another until I'm the only one left. I rarely ever go out alone fearing that I might get bored and end the night being disappointed.
I suppose I feel this because I spend most of my time throughout the week sitting in front of my laptop working — physical interaction is the only way I can keep myself sane so every chance that I get to hang out with my friends, I jump on it.
Couldn't agree more. I'm married now, but I'm married *because* I took control of my life and said "You know what? I'm going on vacation. I want to see St. Martin" - I had a blast and don't regret going at all. In many ways I think taking control of my life (in bigger ways than just travel of course :) led to me having the confidence to date and find my perfect mate.
You're right to have the inspiration to do it alone if you cannot find someone else to do it with you. Each time I travel alone I find many people helping me, and even make great new travel friends along the way. Its too often that we find many people say want to plan a trip but back out in the end... well... sometimes solo option is best! =) so where are you heading to?
I do the same all the time.
I am doing it alone. Became homeless so pretended I was/am a traveller. Wandering Australia ALONE. Eleven years now. If I die before I wake, not one fuck will anyone take. So.. I keep driving till I'm dead. Can't do much of anything else. I hate modern society, Don't want to play the game.
I admire your courage! Not many people have the guts to do what you do! Keep on living life to the fullest!