Traveling – it’s an adventure everyone should try at least once. Exploring the world and seeing what it has to offer can teach you more than work or school ever could. It’s incredibly stressful at times, especially when there’s a language barrier, but when you eventually come home glad you’ll be glad of the experience. However, there’s one question that plagues a lot of people debating going traveling – do they do it alone or with loved ones?
Going solo – gaining independence
The most important thing you can learn from traveling is the ability to act and think independently. Sure, you’re basically throwing yourself in the deep end by going alone, but if you find the courage to swim, it’ll change you forever. There’s no better way to force yourself out of your comfort zone, and the skills you pick up from the experience can help you in later life.
Considering a lot of people who go traveling are still young, there’s never a better time to learn some independence. It might be overwhelming, but nothing worthwhile in life has ever been easy.
Better together – saving money
If you’re going traveling, chances are you’re looking for a vacation that’s not going to break the bank. Usually, these adventures require an upfront cost for travel and accommodation, but then it’s all about using your initiative while abroad to save money. That can be difficult to do when you’re going it alone.
When you’re with others, you can generally share things like food and rooms without having to front all the costs yourself. Traveling with at least one another person can have a significant impact on your funds, which could make all the difference for you. Again, if you’re doing this while you’re young, you might not have a great deal of money available to you.
Going solo – discovering yourself
A lot of people who go traveling come back with a new insight into their lives. Being away for so long has helped them to learn more about themselves and become a better person. This is usually only achievable when someone goes traveling alone because they have a lot more time to themselves. Those moments of solitude are what help us to reflect on our lives and pick apart the good from the bad. If you feel you need to do a lot of growing up, having a solo adventure could be the way to go.
Better together – dealing with isolation
Of course, all that time alone can have a negative impact on your state of mind. We all need time to ourselves sometimes, but too much of that can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Although you can use the alone time to make friends and socialize with other travelers, there’s never an assurance that you’ll bond with these people. At least if you have a loved one by your side, you’ll always have someone to turn to and share your experiences with.
Going solo – it’s your adventure
When you add someone else into the mix, you always have to consider what they want to do too. While you might want to do x, y and z on any given day, your companion might feel differently. You have to make compromises to ensure that you both make the most of your adventure, but that can ultimately leave you feeling disappointed during your travels.
Better together – safety in numbers
While any travel experience poses an element of danger, the more people you’re with, the greater that risk decreases. Traveling alone leaves you incredibly vulnerable, and wanting to stay safe can make you wary of every person you come across. Having someone else by your side can ease your mind and help you relax, allowing you to better appreciate the experience.
Traveling alone or with others, there’s no right or wrong. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what matters most. It all depends on the kind of experience you want to have.
