Why Solo Travel Is the Ultimate Act of Self-Love

By someone who finally stopped waiting for “the right time”

Let’s get something out of the way: I didn’t always dream about solo travel. In fact, the idea of going somewhere alone—eating alone, sightseeing alone, sleeping in a hotel room alone—sounded a lot like the opening scene to a sad movie. But here I am, living proof that solo travel is not only empowering—it’s one of the best things you can do for yourself.

And no, you don’t need to be “finding yourself” or recovering from a breakup. Maybe you’re just tired of waiting around for someone to say “Yeah, let’s do that trip.” Maybe you want a break. Maybe you just want to eat dinner without having to pretend to like sushi. Whatever the reason: solo travel is your invitation to put yourself first.

The Surprising Freedom of Going Alone

When you travel solo, there’s no compromise. If you want to sleep until 10, no one’s judging. If you want to hit five museums in a row or just chill at a beach bar all day—you can. You don’t have to explain it. You don’t have to apologize for it.

That’s when it hit me: this isn’t just travel—it’s freedom. It’s pressing pause on all the noise and doing exactly what you want.

And honestly? It’s kind of addictive.

It’s Not About Being Alone—It’s About Being With Yourself

People always ask me, “Don’t you get lonely?” Sure, sometimes. But being alone and being lonely aren’t the same thing. Some of the best conversations I’ve had were with locals, fellow travelers, or just myself while sipping coffee in a new city, watching the world go by.

Solo travel forces you to get comfortable with your own company. And when you do, you start to realize how much fun you actually are. You laugh at your own bad jokes. You mess up train stops and figure it out. You become the kind of person who figures things out—and that feels good.

You Don’t Have to Fly Across the World

Let me be clear—you don’t need to book a month in Thailand to call it solo travel. Drive to a new city a couple hours away. Try a weekend road trip. Get used to doing things on your terms. That’s how you build confidence, and that’s how you make room for some unforgettable stories (and trust me, you’ll have them).

The Bottom Line

Solo travel is the opposite of selfish. It’s self-investment. It’s you saying, “Hey, my time matters. My joy matters. I don’t need permission to go live a good story.”

And if you’ve been waiting for a sign to take that first step—this is it. You’ve got nothing to prove and a whole lot of world to see.

Coming up tomorrow: Top 5 Destinations for First-Time Solo Travelers (Hint: one of them has tacos, sunsets, and zero judgment.)

Stay curious. Stay bold. Travel solo. I’ll see you out there.