As we grow older, life keeps getting more robust. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and overburdened with responsibilities. The moment you begin feeling claustrophobic in your everyday setting, know that it is time to drive away to a new destination for some time alone.
While the family time needed as well, sometimes going on a solo road trip becomes necessary for rejuvenating the soul and mind. Not to mention that it is trending as well! According to Klook, solo travel was the number 1 trend of 2019.
Solo travelers make up 11 percent of the global travel market. Over 25 percent of millennials in the US plan on going on a solo trip in the next year! So, one thing is for sure; people are opting for solo trips more often than before.
Still unsure whether or not to hit the road alone? Here are the reasons you should.
- No one will judge you for your song choices
Whether you go on a road trip with friends or family, the chances are that one of the reasons for the constant battle is what songs will be played. Everyone wishes to have the music reflect their taste. This means there is less chance of you listening to your preferred music non-stop.
Well, when you are traveling alone, there is no one to stop you from listening to whatever you want to. No one will complain about how the beat is too slow or the rhythm too fast. Whether it be murder mystery podcasts or Pop Rock albums, you can listen to it all without the fear of being judged.
- Never-ending luggage capacity (figuratively)
When we buy cars today, we don’t ever purchase a car which has enough capacity for a road trip with friends and family. Because there is no such thing! There is always something that you have to leave behind due to a lack of space.
Well, when you are traveling alone, you can carry as much luggage as you want. There is no weight restriction unless your vehicle gets so full that it is unable to move forward without scarping the road. Whether it be the size of the bags or the number of belongings, you will get to decide how much to put in your car.
This means that you will have everything you ever needed for a comfortable and memorable trip.
- You get to decide the route
Have you ever driven long distances with your friends and spotted an exciting place you wanted to explore, but no one agreed to make a quick stop? You are not alone! It is easy to feel frustrated if this happens repeatedly.
And once annoyance and frustration set in, your entire road trip tends to get spoiled. When you are trying to relax and let go of your worries, such incidences are always unwelcome.
This is why giving time to yourself and going to a solo road trip is recommended now and then. It ensures that you decide everything, even the route! You won’t have to spend your precious time trying to convince others to take a certain route or make a specific stop.
You can try as many tiny restaurants as you want or make as little stops to your ultimate destination as you please.
- A boost for your self-esteem
You might wonder, how can a solo trip helps boost your self-esteem? Well, a road trip is more than just driving aimlessly on a long stretch of road. It is also about the places that you find in between and the destination you end up in.
Every time you figure things out on the road, without the help of any friends or the internet, you will feel better about yourself. You will experience a boost in confidence, with every challenge you overcome in the unknown land.
While on the road, you will find out things you never knew about yourself. Skills that you were unaware of and weaknesses that now you have to work on.
- You learn new things
Sometimes when we are surrounded by familiar faces, it is easy to keep them in focus and forget about everything else. Here, the memories you make are with people and not the place.
There is nothing wrong with this approach. But, there is much more to life than your social relationships. You need to work on yourself as well. And a solo road trip helps in doing so. You learn new things every second you spent in traveling alone.
Plunge in the sea. Go explore a jungle. Learn a new language. Fall asleep watching the stars or trek a mountain. The more you challenge yourself, the memorable the solo trip will become.
- You will polish your problem-solving skills
Don’t worry! Going on a road trip isn’t necessarily synonymous with hurdles, challenges, and mishaps. But, there is a chance that problems will arise. Let’s face it! No trip culminates without a few issues along the way.
When they occur, you might feel that your trip is ruined. But, in retrospect, you will end up polishing your problem-solving skills. Think about it. What can be a better way to learn survival skills than figuring out what to do when you get a flat tire in the middle of nowhere!
Make sure you go well-prepared for the worst. Map out all the mechanics, gas stations, and towns in your route. While you might not need to stop at each one of them, you will always have a plan of action in case things go south!
Hit the road
One thing is for certain- everyone needs to travel alone at least once in their lives.
Give yourself some space. Discover yourself by going on a solo road trip. Unwind and let go of all your worries. Once you get back, you will feel much better about yourself and your life.
Map out the perfect route. Challenge yourself. Hit the road!
Author Bio:
About Michelle Joe: Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook
