By Sarika Rao
What is SOLO travel? You might have come across some people doing SOLO travelling. You might have even wondered why is this person travelling alone? Does he/she have any issues with life or family or just a loner? Some also wonder if this a new trend or some fashion or is it actually some fun? And some insecure people might also think that the person is just bluffing and actually hiding his/her affair behind SOLO travel. Do you really think that can be true?
I won’t know what you feel about this topic unless you share your views with me. But I would just pen down my feelings on this topic today and I hope you like it.
I always had an intense feeling of discovering places alone since my childhood or doing my favourite things like watching a movie or going shopping alone. And trust me I am not a loner, I do have a lot of friends and I do love them as well as my family. However, I always had this feeling suppressed thinking about safety and what will people think and what if I get bored and this and that and whatnot. I didn’t even know there are people like me who like to travel SOLO until social media enlightened me.
I got to know that there are so many people who had been travelling alone for ages and that had never been a new trend but a classic type of travel done by many women as well as men. I can say SOLO travel existed for ages.
I got so happy to see so many people sharing my feelings. I started searching for more information on this as you must have realised by now about my immediate plan. It is very interesting to find the actual reason for SOLO travel for anyone. Some travel for gaining confidence, some to get over some trauma and some for introspection and self-realisation. Some travel for work, some for finding friends, love, peace, out of interest, etc. Everyone has their own reason and you would find very few people not enjoying their SOLO trip.
As everything has an advantage and disadvantage, SOLO too have its drawbacks and plusses. When you are travelling alone, you don’t have anyone to share your feelings in person, your achievements, those beautiful or bad moments, food, pictures, room and so on. But advantages are that you are in total control right from planning to return, finances, carrying luggage, choosing a destination, doing everything your way and not answerable or dependent on anyone. This gives you a lot of confidence and space. It is a very different learning experience. You do miss your family but it is always a pleasure to see your loved ones after a break and really grow hearts fonder.
Stress is a new gift given to almost everyone nowadays with the increasing pollution, progressive technology, reducing personal touch and uncertainty around. Each one of us is so bombarded with responsibilities, work and tensions that we hardly get any time for ourselves. I know we have been brought up to always think about others first but I don’t see that of any help in relieving the stress but only adding frustration resulting in strained relationships around.
SOLO travelling builds people to come back stronger for fighting a difficult part of their life and flourish further. As I always say, you can only keep others happy if you are happy from within. The fake smiles don’t go a long way and sometimes result in bad outcomes.
For me, my experience was like meditation. On the first day, it was all chaotic in my mind, obviously out of nervousness and anxiety. But from the second day, I was in total control and at peace. I could actually just relax and enjoy with an open mind and content soul, which I had never experienced before while travelling. Our mind is always so occupied when we have a company and we many times limit it too. When you are alone, you discover a different part of yourself, meet new people, learn so much without any limits.
We do so many things alone in our daily life. Despite being surrounded by people, most of the times, people are lonely today when it comes to responsibilities, love, finances and support. If you can live life alone and carry huge responsibilities by yourself, SOLO travel is like a reward for standing so strong and converting that loneliness into Solitude. Stop feeling lonely and embrace it instead by converting it into Solitude. Always remember, Solitude builds you and loneliness destroys, so choose carefully.
Married people or parents do have limitations with this type of travel. And as you know I am married as well as a working mother of two.
What do I do to make it work?
I make my travel plans by letting my husband take care of children as now they are not dependent on me anymore (do not troll for being lucky that a man is taking care of his own children) as I do that all the time except when I am not SOLO travelling. I also make sure that I am completing all my work and responsibilities on time and that my absence isn’t going to affect anyone. I also make sure I have developed a sense of security in my family for them to not be unsecured when I am away and that I keep them informed about my travel plans every day for my own safety and for them not to worry about. When I don’t have a backup to take care of my children then I take them as well along and that is fun too. I do plan trips with friends and family as well but when I know I need that me time, SOLO time it is then.
Therefore, SOLO travel is not a fashion, trend or something to show off or be scared of. It is a genuine journey with your own self and the experience is always divine with few exceptions. We are a progressive society right now and so don’t think what would people say? There is a famous song on this topic, “Kuch to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna.”
There are lots of tips available online for this type of experience like staying in hostels, travelling in public transports, following safety measures, backpacking, etc. So if you ever had SOLO on your mind, go ahead with it and share your experiences with me.
The author is based in Pune and had been working in the IT industry with many years of experience and a proud mother of two. She is interested in writing, reading as well as travelling.
