Before I went to Dublin last year, I had never flown alone before; I had never spent more than a couple of hours on my own in a new city or country. My anxieties had always convinced me that travelling alone was something that I simply could not do.
Since then I've been on a sunny holiday on my own, and here are a few reasons why I think you should at least consider doing something similar..
1 • YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.
You can go at your own pace. You have the freedom to pick up & go without waiting for someone. You can see the sights you want to see and ignore the ones you don't. You can lie on the beach and read for hours. You can eat at times that suit you. The list goes on.
2 • IT'LL PUSH YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.
Yeah, it's nice and safe and easy to go where you know, with people you know, but the zone in which you're comfortable will never grow if you don't test the boundaries. My favourite little phrase lately is, "the more you do, the more you do."
3 • IT'S EASIER TO ORGANISE.
Getting even one other person organised to go on holiday with is difficult enough, let alone a whole group. Cut the hassle and just go on your own.
4 • NO DRAMA!
This speaks for yourself really. There's no one else there to disagree with or bicker with. You don't have to deal with anyone else's issues. You can truly relax.
This speaks for yourself really. There's no one else there to disagree with or bicker with. You don't have to deal with anyone else's issues. You can truly relax.
5 • YOU CAN MEET PEOPLE... or just cats.
There's more opportunity to meet other people when you're travelling alone, if that's what you want to do. Or you can just sit on your own and talk to the local cats. That's ok too.
6 • YOU'LL HAVE THE TIME TO REFLECT.
A few days away in a foreign place gives you the time and space to really think about life. To nurture yourself. To disconnect. To get away from everything and write down those lingering thoughts & figure out what you want. You can find the time to really appreciate yourself & your feelings.
7 • YOU WON'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK.
Everyone's a stranger, so it doesn't matter if they see you without make up or wearing a questionable (but seriously comfy) outfit. It's highly unlikely you'll ever see them again!
8 • YOU'LL FEEL BRAVE & EMPOWERED.
Completing a challenge you once thought you could never do makes you feel amazing. Knowing that you can go somewhere on your own and survive is so exciting. You'll be planning your next lonesome trip sooner than you realise..
So what do you think? Will you be booking a holiday on your own anytime soon?
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What a lovely post- makes me definitely consider going somewhere alone- even a day trip to London or something. Xx
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully encouraging, Lyzi - it sounds like such a wonderful experience, one I'm sure we'd all benefit from. One day I hope to take a trip on my own - host these thoughts of mine in a different environment :) xxx
ReplyDeleteNo drama and you can do whatever you want sounds like bliss.
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The best ever holidays I had was in Paris on my own! Nothing will be even close to this experience. Good school of growing up. Please visit me at http://igaberry.com Have a lovely day, Iga x
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of traveling alone. I really like my own company haha! Thanks for the good suggestions...they all sound like really good reasons and heavenly
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Such gorgeous photos!! And a holiday alone or not is what i need right now. I'm in need of a beach and pretty landscapes:)x
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Such a lovely post! I've started doing a lot more on my own lately and really enjoying it. Haven't gone as far as a holiday, but I think I should now!
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xx
I love solo holidays - definitely agree about the lack of drama and being able to talk to cats! x
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I'd love to experience travelling alone someday. I mean, I get excited just going on a train on my own! The idea of not having to do what everyone else wants to do sounds like a dream.
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You're so brave! This is something I've considered doing for a while. How did you prevent getting lonely? Or did that not happen? :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely think I would go away on my own, I think it would be quite exhilarating. Now, just need to choose a destination! x
ReplyDeleteVanessaVonJames | Fashion Blog
I need a break so badly and I've been thinking about going on my own- you might have just inspired me to go for it.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about doing this for a few months now. You may have just inspired me to pack up and head off. My only choice now is where to go loll. Thank you for this lovely post :) xx
ReplyDeleteI'm not confident enough to do it but i am going away with my mum soon and I like going away with her because shes also my best friend =]
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I had the opportunity to travel to Cairo alone earlier this year and I didn't take it! I was too worried about what people would think if I did. That was a huge mistake and I massively missed out.
ReplyDeleteI'll never be making that mistake again.
Thanks for posting!
theeverydaylifeofrachel.blogspot.co.uk
You know what? You might have just convinced me. :)
ReplyDeleteit's so crazy how amazing it feels to travel on your own. i did it once right out of high school entirely by accident. a friend who was supposed to go got sick and bailed at the last minute (literally) and instead, i went on my own.
ReplyDeleteit was scary and i cried and then it was wonderful and i met a ton of weird, crazy, fun people i don't think i would have met if i hadn't been solo.
xo, allie
wellhellosugar.com
I love this. So true and encouraging. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, and I just might do it after reading this! :)
ReplyDeleterovetheworld.blogspot.com
Ali.
Couldn't agree more with this. I went to Cuba alone about 3/4 years ago. My flatmate had to talk me into it. But since then I've been to about 10 countries on my own and I absolutely love it. You meet so many amazing people and it's so liberating. Glad you're a fan. I really think everyone should do it at least once in their life x
ReplyDeleteYay! You go girl! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm just waiting at the airport alone, got a day and night before I meet a friend in Fuerteventura but armed with a good book and the desire to sit in warm sand asap!! #alonebutnotlonely
Http://SaintsOnAPlane.com
I've been travelling on my own a couple of times and I absolutely loved it. So relaxing and the sense of freedom is amazing... Also it feels like a real achievement! x
ReplyDeleteI love travelling on my own, so much more fun than being tied to someone else all the time! I used to get the coach from Bath into London for a day trip when I was 16 and 17 and then when I was 19, I did my first trip abroad on my own - New York! I loved the fact I could just pick and choose what I wanted to do each day, go wherever I like and only had to please myself. Even now I'm married I still have day trips out on my own - my excuse is it keeps me sane and keeps him happy (as he can just spend all day in his shed) :-) xx
ReplyDeleteI love this Lyzi. Time and experiences alone are so important. I don't have the spare pennies for a proper trip abroad right now but I think I'm going to take your advice and explore a few nearby places on my own sometime soon. Liverpool, I might be coming for you!
ReplyDeleteChambray & Curls
Love your post! I really enjoy traveling by myself and I love people's reactions when I tell them I'm off by myself, haha. 'ARE YOU CRAZY?!' is one I heard today when mentioning I'm going to Changsha (my neighbour city in China) by myself next week.
ReplyDeleteYeeeeeees! I went to Barcelona on a hen do last weekend but arrived a few hours before everyone else. I'd forgotten how calming it is to be abroad alone. I had lunch, wandered around, chilled out - I loved it!
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charliedistracted.com
Inspiring. Thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post Lyzi :) I know so many wonderful women who've travelled alone, I love the thought of it but my holiday time is so precious I don't think I'd want to spend it away from my other half (how soppy is that?!).
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xo
Love this post and your independence! I went on a solo road trip this year but wasn't brave enough to go abroad. I really enjoyed my time and the space and would love to book another trip soon.
ReplyDeleteSteph x
Inspirationsandme.blogspot.co.uk
Not anytime soon but someday I will do that. :)
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