5 lessons about Life from my SOLO travels 🧳
Until the late twenties of my life, I had been a homebody. The only travel destinations I had been to were either places where my close relatives lived or the beaches closest to Kolkata. These 4–5 destinations, which I could easily list and count on my fingers, were part of my itinerary for years. Perhaps, that was the same pattern I was following in life as well. Sticking to doing things I was certain to get results from. Considering every other thing irrelevant and avoiding them which is not directly linked to the goals of my life.
But, you know, when you don’t change yourself, life puts you in situations that compel you to change. Though you resist, things can’t get better until you embrace that change and learn from it. That’s life’s way of teaching you that change is imperishable, it’s the only constant.
Such was a change in my life that urged me to travel initially in a group, and then, after a year of seasoning and learning how to travel, I developed enough confidence to take leap to Dehradun for my first solo trip.
Today, I feel glad that I did it, and I would urge anyone reading this to at least travel solo once in your life. Believe me, you will never again be bothered about being left alone in life.
Let us now dive into the 3 main lessons I have learned from my solo travels.
You are accountable for your own decision
Often, most of our decisions are influenced by our parents or others, and this can become habitual. We seek advice from friends and then suppress our true feelings, assuming that someone else must be more correct about our choices. Consequently, we develop a habit of avoiding accountability for our mistakes. Who has the courage to admit, “Okay, I made a mistake!”? What will people think of me? It’s crucial to take calculated risks. When you travel solo, every decision rests on your shoulders. From choosing accommodation to planning your day, activities, and meals, you are in charge. You can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary one by opting for something exciting — talking to strangers, renting a scooter for a ride, or dining wherever and whatever you desire. However, you must also take responsibility for the consequences. What if the food makes you ill? What if you encounter an accident during your ride? What if the stranger turns out to be untrustworthy? In every situation, you are accountable. Embracing this accountability teaches you to take ownership of your decisions. As you witness your minor decisions yielding positive outcomes, you gain the confidence to make more significant life choices independently.
Embrace uncertainties — do not overthink your plans
Life’s greatest adventures lie beyond the realm of certainty. Yet, too often, we find ourselves paralyzed by over-analysis, shackled by the fear of the unknown. Yet, in reality, everything in life is uncertain; we simply opt for what seems less uncertain to us at that moment. However, life doesn’t always adhere to our expectations. I experienced this firsthand when my fiancé broke up with me, despite everything seeming certain between us, even involving our families. The most certain thing in my life met an uncertain end. Thus, developing the courage to act in the face of uncertainty and then navigate through it is a valuable skill you acquire while traveling.
For instance, the hotel I booked for my stay in Varanasi didn’t answer my calls. So, I randomly checked into another hotel without much research. Initially, it seemed shady, but it turned out to be a wonderful stay. Often, I’m unsure how to reach a destination. I approach people, learn about local commute routes and fares, and then set off. With every step I take into uncertainty, I embrace it with the hope that something good will happen. If not, I wish for the courage to handle whatever comes my way!
So, don’t sweat the small stuff. Take a chance, go with the flow, and see where the adventure leads. Because in the end, it’s the unexpected twists that make life truly exciting!
Live your life every single day
We only get one shot at this life, so why spend it chasing after material things? We build friendships, create bonds, study hard, achieve goals, and acquire possessions, but in the end, we leave it all behind. Yet, despite knowing this, we often find ourselves complaining. Why not make the most of what we have? Why not live each day to the fullest?
There have been days when nothing seemed to go right for me. But instead of dwelling on the past and sinking into despair, I made a choice to go for a walk, watch a movie, or simply chat with friends. Don’t let the days slip away while drowning in regrets and sorrow. As long as you’re alive, there’s always hope for a brighter tomorrow, but you need the determination to make it happen, and the enthusiasm to embrace each day.
That’s how I approached my days of travel. While working, I moved to new hostels and places almost every week. But beyond the demands of work, I made it a point to seize the day. Whether it was hanging out alone by the ghats or joining strangers to learn a new game, like Poker, Mafia, Bluff, or engaging in random conversations over table tennis. And whenever an opportunity arose, I took it a step further — like going rafting in Rishikesh or kayaking and cliff jumping in Meghalaya.
Life’s too short to waste on regrets and what-ifs. Seize the day, embrace the adventure, and make every moment count.
We can still TRUST
Over time, we’ve become wary of trusting others. Living in a city where we’re constantly racing against each other, striving to outdo the person ahead, we’ve learned to be cautious of everyone around us. Deceptive tactics have become commonplace, and we’ve often fallen victim to the deceitful ways of others, leading us to lose our faith in trusting others.
However, solo travel allowed me to reclaim this lost ability to trust. With no other option but to rely on strangers during my solo adventures, I was forced to confront my skepticism and learn to trust again. It wasn’t easy at first, but gradually, I embraced the idea of putting my trust in people. Whether it was trusting a stranger’s recommendation for a route, sharing a room with fellow travelers despite carrying valuable belongings or entrusting the keys of a rented scooter to someone I’d only met the day before, I learned to take that leap of faith. In doing so, I discovered the beauty of connecting with strangers, sharing experiences, and opening up to others in a way that only solo travel could facilitate.
It’s easy to make friends
Embarking on solo travel journeys has shown me that making friends isn’t as daunting as it may seem. In fact, it’s surprisingly easy when you’re out exploring the world on your own. Whether it’s striking up a conversation with a fellow traveler at a hostel, bonding over shared experiences on a group tour, or simply exchanging smiles with locals in a foreign land, solo travel creates countless opportunities to connect with others.
There have been instances when just saying “Hi Guys” to a complete set of strangers sparked a conversation so good that within a few hours, we started pulling each other’s legs or sharing a bottle of whiskey over conversations or landing in a group’s room to spend the night playing cards or getting company while traveling to the next destination. These sorts of random “Hi” helped me create more contacts, enhance my playlist, learn more about places to travel, and more than that, learn that despite where someone belongs across the globe, there are different stories of struggle behind every smile. So it’s not life that’s being harsh to me, but it’s just life, and I’m rather being harsh to myself. Yes, it’s often difficult to initiate that conversation, but don’t come up with that excuse for someone who has been an extreme introvert for most of his life. It’s not that introverts don’t like to converse, but it’s just that they ponder too much or hesitate to initiate despite having that feeling to go and talk. So don’t hold on, guys... You are just a “Hi” away from unfolding some great conversations.
It’s in these spontaneous encounters that lifelong friendships are forged, fueled by a shared love for adventure and a mutual openness to new experiences. So, while solo travel may seem solitary at first glance, it’s actually a gateway to a world of new connections and meaningful relationships
In conclusion, solo travel is like our very own “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” adventure, where every moment is a chance to dance to your own beat. From embracing change like Bunny to finding friendship in unexpected places like Naina, it’s a journey that transforms strangers into lifelong companions. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready for a cinematic adventure where the only limit is your imagination!
