20 Reasons to Travel Solo and Transform Yourself

Or perhaps there are more than 20 items.

While it may not completely transform our lives, it can empower us to change ourselves and see things from a more personal perspective, rather than constantly chasing after others.

From being unsure about starting to travel alone, to now embarking on challenging solo trips, relying primarily on public transportation, especially trains for 90% of the journey. Cycling, riding a motorbike, and avoiding air travel for leisure. Exploring different destinations and doing everything independently, I have developed a passion for solo travel. This led me to create the "Traveling Solo" page, where I discovered many others who share my passion and inspired others to try solo travel despite limitations, such as being a working woman. Having traveled solo extensively, I decided to try challenging and less comfortable experiences.

The Benefits of Solo Travel: A Personal Journey

Working as an office worker can lead to a sense of routine and repetition. Stepping outside of one's comfort zone and trying new things can be a refreshing change. Balancing office work with a passion for writing, such as through a blog, can be enriching and provide opportunities for personal growth. Sharing travel experiences through social media platforms allows for connection and inspiration. This article aims to explore the benefits of solo travel, drawing on personal experiences and observations.

Despite having friends, scheduling conflicts often make it difficult to travel together. Additionally, concerns about friends' limitations or preferences can lead to solo travel decisions. The desire to travel should not be hindered by waiting for ideal circumstances, as procrastination can prevent exploration altogether.

All the photos were taken by myself, both selfies and tripod shots. It's a process of trial and error. Traveling alone doesn't mean you won't have any photos of yourself. In fact, you might even have more photos than when you travel with friends.

Many people say that traveling alone is like going out to discover oneself.

Something we are missing

Something we need to fix.

Something we need to fulfill.

Anything and everything, each with its own reasons.

In our opinion, it seems like there might be some value in this.

Let's share what we have gained and what changes we have made in ourselves, so much so that we want to record it in this thread.

1. Increased irritability

Become more impatient.

Make a quick decision, find information in just a few minutes, or don't find any information at all. Just go and find out for yourself. It's better to take a chance and see what happens today. Travel without a plan more often. Just pack your backpack and go. Oh, I'm talking to myself. Haha! Let's go! I'm afraid I'll regret it later if I don't go.

The frequent train rider knows the importance of punctuality. Delays, even minor ones, can lead to missed connections and frustration. To avoid such situations, it's often preferable to travel alone, ensuring that one's schedule is not disrupted by the tardiness of others. This experience can foster a sense of urgency and timeliness, as individuals become responsible for planning their own journeys and adhering to public transportation schedules.

2. Calm down.

Calm yourself down.

Wait! Just now, you were still impatient. There is no such thing as moderation. Even in impatience, there is still some calmness. When you actually go out, you will have to wait for many things. Wait for the bus, wait for people to pass by to ask for directions, wait for the sunrise, wait for the sunset, wait for beautiful pictures and views, wait for the rain, wait for the storm, wait for many hours. You can't be fussy when you're in a difficult situation. You have to wait. Fortunately, I have a calm personality. Sometimes I have to wait a long time, but I give in because there's nothing I can do. Everything we choose and decide ourselves, we can't help it. So let's practice patience.

Frustrated but unable to do anything, one must endure, especially when using public transportation in our country.

3. Freedom

Empower lives to embrace greater freedom.

With physical and mental freedom, I, as an individual, can make my own decisions, whether it's turning left or right, climbing, or crawling. However, I also understand my limits and take responsibility for my actions. Lately, I've been thinking less about trivial matters at work because I've realized that when I'm out on my own, I'll encounter far more challenges that require me to solve problems independently. It's much more exciting. Instead of dwelling on minor issues at work, I'd rather spend my time planning my own travel adventures. The petty problems at work will seem insignificant compared to the challenges you'll face in the wider world when traveling solo.

The good and bad luck we encounter in life teaches us to become more mature.

4. Dress as you please.

Adapt your clothing choices when traveling alone.

Do you prefer to dress up or dress down these days? I don't really dress up much anymore. When I leave the house, I just throw some props in my bag and get dressed on the spot. I usually pack a few versatile outfits or clothes that I can change and wash easily. If I want to dress crazy, I just do it. No one is there to tell me to put on some makeup or that I look like a corpse. Sometimes my pajamas and my going-out clothes are the same. I only pack a few outfits and wear them repeatedly without anyone judging me. Plus, I've become more careful about how I dress when I travel alone and when I take the train, which I use frequently.

5. A planner.

Shift from following others and start planning independently.

Whenever I travel, I always bring a notebook and pen to jot down everything. I enjoy using notebooks to record my expenses, lodging, and anything unusual or interesting. I write even more when I intend to write a review. It's odd that I rarely take notes on my phone. I'm still in love with using pens and notebooks; I can't seem to shake the habit. I whine and complain even though I could take notes on my phone.

I never thought I would become someone who enjoys looking at maps. Google Maps has become my go-to tool for planning my own routes and journeys. I constantly find myself asking questions like: "How many minutes will it take to walk here?" or "How many more minutes until I reach my destination on my motorbike?" or "What should I do next now that the train has arrived?" Planning and managing my own time has become second nature, especially when renting bicycles or motorbikes. I have to estimate my speed and travel time to ensure I arrive at my destination on time. While I can manage my own schedule, I realize that I cannot plan for others. This experience has helped me become more familiar with the roads, and when I get lost, I simply think to myself, "Oh, it's a new road. New knowledge." There's no need to blame anyone because I am responsible for my own actions.

6. Self-discovery

Motivate yourself to move your body and go outside.

Seeking to understand one's true desires during leisure time. Sometimes, a trip to the beach is simply about sitting in silence, immersing oneself in the atmosphere, listening to music, reading a book, and following one's heart's desires. The longing is to remain in this state for an extended period rather than engaging in excessive alcohol consumption with friends, which can lead to headaches and a diminished ability to fully appreciate the seaside experience. The preference is for solitude and quietude, allowing the mind to rest and wander freely, facilitating introspection and a reassessment of life's true priorities. There is no rigid self-imposed requirement to engage in vigorous water activities during a beach visit.

7. Easier to eat

Change eating habits and locations.

Limited food options are sometimes unavoidable, especially in remote locations without convenience stores. We simply eat what is available. Homestays often provide an opportunity to experience authentic local cuisine, as we prefer to eat what the hosts eat rather than dishes prepared specifically for tourists. This has introduced us to many unique and delicious dishes. Street food has also become a favorite, and we enjoy chatting with locals about the weather, local life, and their experiences. We believe that interacting with locals enriches our travel experiences, and we often find ourselves engaging in conversations with them rather than other tourists.

8. Easier to fall asleep

Move your bed closer to a stranger.

Fortunately, I am a light sleeper and can fall asleep without needing a pillow. I am also accustomed to sleeping in cramped spaces, such as on trains or on chairs at train stations. I have become so used to it that I can simply close my eyes and recharge, even without a comfortable bed. I can sleep anywhere, and I will continue on my journey soon. When I am tired, I simply sleep without worrying about the comfort of the bed. If others can sleep there, I can too, but safety is always a priority.

Staying in the comfort of my bedroom at home has become a frequent occurrence. Curiosity about how others sleep and live their lives has prompted me to seek answers beyond my own experiences.

9. Disciplined

While personal space in a private room can be messy, sharing a hostel with strangers requires a different approach. When sleeping in a hostel, it's important to maintain cleanliness and respect for others. Shared spaces like bathrooms, drying racks, and electrical outlets need to be used considerately. It's crucial to maintain a clean and organized environment in shared areas, ensuring everyone's comfort and hygiene.

10. The room is ours.

Transition from having to be cautious of people in the room by having some private rooms.

When staying at a hostel, I don't always sleep with other people, and I don't always choose a hostel. When I have my own room, I can be as messy as I want. For example, I spread my belongings on the bed to ward off ghosts. Haha, this is my personal ghost-repelling trick. I've written about it on my page before. You can find my strange ghost-repelling methods on my page. When I have my own room, I can wear only a towel or walk around naked. I don't usually lock the bathroom door because I'm afraid I won't be able to open it. I'm afraid the key will break and I'll be locked in. Haha, I've never had that experience, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

11. Having non-human friends.

Shift your focus from seeking purebred dogs to embracing the charm of ordinary dogs, who are equally deserving of love and companionship.

New friend, is it a ghost? Or did Mom buy it? No, I talked to it normally all the way (Huh! What? Wait a minute).

This refers to the ubiquitous presence of dogs and cats in local communities. They are encountered everywhere, and reviews often feature photos of these animals. As indispensable companions, they provide comfort and interaction for those who may feel hesitant to engage with others. Solo travelers should embrace these furry friends, as they offer a welcoming presence and a chance to connect. The abundance of these animals in rural areas makes them veritable "hosts," and befriending them can facilitate smooth passage. Fortunately, as an animal lover, I naturally gravitate towards these creatures, engaging in heartfelt conversations whenever our paths cross.

This sentence describes the experience of staying in a homestay in the countryside, where guests live with the homeowner. If the homeowner has pets, guests must also accept the pets as part of the experience. The sentence emphasizes that the homeowner's pets are the most important members of the household, even above the homeowner themselves.

12. Accustomed to the darkness

From fearful darkness to understanding.

Getting lost frequently becomes a familiar experience. Wandering around until darkness falls, returning home in the dark, and encountering darkness frequently are all common occurrences. However, it's crucial to avoid excessive wandering. When traveling alone, we try to avoid venturing out at night. If necessary, we make an effort to walk in well-lit areas. However, our frequent encounters with darkness typically occur while riding the train at night. Traveling by train through forests and mountains at night, with the windows open, provides fresh air but also a sense of unease. The rhythmic clatter of the train and the occasional long whistle, combined with the stillness of the night, can be unsettling, especially when gazing into the darkness of the roadside forest. Walking past a temple at night and hearing a dog howl can be unnerving, prompting us to quicken our pace. Staying in a homestay with restricted lighting hours requires adaptation. One might wonder why we subject ourselves to such inconvenience. However, this is the reward we receive. We no longer fear power outages, thunder, or lightning. We have become accustomed to the darkness.

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13. Overcome fear.

Transforming ordinary fear into an experiment to test one's tolerance for fear.

I once mentioned that I have a fear of coral and stalactites. Others find them beautiful, but I find them frightening. It's funny, I know, but I'm afraid of their wrinkled, brain-like appearance. However, sometimes my curiosity and adventurous spirit outweigh my fear, and I push myself to try new things. For example, I went hiking in the forest and explored a cave alone during a trip to Phrae. In the picture, you can see how uncomfortable I was. I didn't go far because I knew I was uncomfortable with something. I quickly took a picture and left. Later, I talked to a local who told me about the haunted history of the place. She was surprised that I had dared to enter the forest alone, saying that even Buddhist monks couldn't sleep there because of the disturbances. And then it all made sense. Why did I get goosebumps?

The picture is titled "Tham Pu Panta Mi, Ban Na Tong, Phrae Province". You can find it on Google.

14. Increased number of self-portraits.

Transition from spending less time with friends to having more solo time.

With ample time to myself, solo travel allows me to indulge in my favorite pastime: photography. I take hundreds of self-portraits, setting up the camera and capturing myself from various angles. When traveling with others, I rarely have many solo pictures, as the focus is on group shots or candid moments. However, traveling alone empowers me to take as many pictures as I desire, discarding the ones that don't meet my standards. No one can capture my candid moments better than myself. Sometimes, I ask others to take my picture, but the results often fall short of my expectations, leading me to take matters into my own hands.

15. There are more pictures of other people.

It would be lovely to change and take photos of other people to collect as a collection.

Lately, when I'm too lazy to take pictures of myself, I've been focusing on taking candid photos of other people. It's fun and challenging because I have to wait for them to be unaware of me from different angles. Practicing taking pictures of other people makes the local places I visit seem more alive and colorful. This is the real way to capture local people, and it's a memory I cherish more than landscape photos. I love taking pictures of local people. When they smile or laugh, it's truly heartwarming. Sometimes they don't smile for the camera, but they smile for me.

16. The journey has meaning.

Shift your perspective. The journey may be tiring, but it is filled with profound meaning.

We place more emphasis on the journey itself, changing our perspective on travel. Traveling alone without talking to anyone, we must start opening our hearts to talk to others, learning about their way of life. Seeing the smiles of the locals along the way is enough for us to find it beautiful and full of stories. Lately, we don't expect the views we will encounter to be stunning or to get the best photos. Just seeing beautiful smiles along the way or the small kindnesses they offer is enough to make us happy.

The people we meet along the way become our real-life teachers as we get to know them better. It is a journey of learning about real life, something that universities and workplaces cannot teach. This is what is called the university of life.

17. Discover valuable insights that Google cannot provide.

Change the mindset that everything can be found on Google.

As we travel more, we tend to research less and less. We feel that the more we research, the more information contradicts itself. Extensive research can lead to expectations that things will turn out exactly as we planned. However, unplanned travel can lead to unexpected and enjoyable experiences. Ask the locals where they go and what fun activities they recommend. You won't be disappointed if you avoid researching and instead ask the locals for their recommendations. In fact, it can be more exciting not knowing what to expect.

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18. Lost one's way.

Lost your way? Chart a new course for yourself.

It seems bad, but turning a crisis into an opportunity is very important. Getting lost in an unfamiliar place, but finding new places to visit and take pictures, often makes us remember those places and roads more. We get beautiful angles, strange places to take pictures, besides the places that other people have been to. Or if you come here, you have to check in and take pictures. Otherwise, it's like you haven't been here. Huh, I don't feel that way.

19. Tried something new

Transform yourself to embrace new experiences and challenges.

Engage in activities that are typically restricted or impractical when accompanied by others, such as long-distance cycling or motorcycling. Follow your instincts and travel as you desire, without relying on transportation services. If you feel inclined to walk a few kilometers, do so. Be aware that compatibility with your companions is crucial, as they may object to such activities. This experience may reveal a hidden preference for solo exploration. Embrace the opportunity to try new things and potentially forge meaningful connections along the way.

20. Save money

Change from spending money on things around you to traveling on a budget.
At first, I didn't think of this, but if you try backpacking in this style, it's easy to live, eat, and sleep. You may not have people to share the cost of transportation and accommodation, but you can choose to save money yourself by choosing other options, such as backpacking. Immerse yourself in the journey and the photos rather than spending money on other things. Manage your budget yourself. Hey! I really only spent this much.

We have encountered various opinions from people who have never traveled alone, ranging from those who criticize and mock to those who are indifferent. These individuals often perceive solo travelers as peculiar or unconventional.

I don't have many friends, but that's okay. I'm a normal person who enjoys spending time alone. Sometimes people don't understand why I like to travel solo, but I don't mind. I've tried explaining it to them, but they just don't get it. I guess you can't change people's minds, but you can change your own. If people judge me, that's their problem. I'm just living my life the way I want to. I want to do all the things I've always wanted to do, as long as I'm not hurting anyone. I don't want to wait and regret it later. Who knows how long we have in this life?

Another reason I enjoy traveling solo is due to the differing travel preferences of my peers. Our lifestyles and travel aspirations have diverged significantly.

We are backpackers. Many of our friends are more comfortable with amenities, especially when it comes to food and accommodation. It's rare that we have time to meet up and travel like normal people. On top of that, our schedules don't always align, and at this age, we all have families. So, who can we travel with? The only option is to travel alone, go for it, and not wait for others. After that, I got hooked on solo travel and have been to so many places I've always wanted to see. It feels amazing. Today's society is different. Everyone has more freedom of thought. Eating alone, watching movies alone, or traveling alone isn't strange anymore. However, in some social circles, as we all know, people still disapprove or see it as unusual.

My initial motivation for solo travel was simply the desire to explore and capture beautiful images to share on Facebook. I yearned for the joy of experiencing new sights and immersing myself in their beauty, just like everyone else.

Traveling at a leisurely pace, even if it means encountering some hardships, allows for a deeper appreciation of the lives of others encountered along the way. This, in our opinion, holds far greater value than simply sightseeing.

Edited on March 7 at 3:12 AM.