Travelling is as much a journey into yourself as it is journey out into the world. An adventure provides perspective but the traveler must have the solo time and space to see it.

When we’re busy travelling with a significant other, we can miss the gifts solitude has to offer. That’s why, before you dedicate yourself to a serious relationship and opt for romantic getaways, you should make the time to venture out on your own.

Here are six reasons why you’re better off traveling before you’re tied down.

6 Reasons You Are Better Off Traveling Before You're Tied Down

1) Define Your Likes (& Dislikes)

You won’t know what you like and dislike unless you first try. Travel allows you to attempt new activities, test new tastes and meet a broad spectrum of new people.  With each new experience you will be better able to define yourself and your self-concept. You will get to know yourself more deeply and truly than you ever have.

If you were travelling with a significant other, you wouldn’t always be able to follow your instincts and pursue what your heart calls for. You would have to negotiate times, dates, places and how to get there. Alone, you’d be able to witness what you’re interested in, whether it’s an art gallery tour or a wine tasting. You will better recognize what draws you in and what you like to avoid.

2) Build Your Confidence & Independence

Solo treks can empower a traveler. Whether it’s navigating a map or discovering a hidden gem of a restaurant — you see what you’re capable of on your very own. The small victories and explorations will be all yours to savor. You can accomplish this by taking on a local road trip or staycation or even branching out and going on a European getaway or African safari. Regardless of where you travel, be sure not to take unnecessary risks. It’s important to know what areas are safe for travelers.

Upon your return from a solo trip the experiences from the trek will stay with you. Your travel will embolden you in your day-to-day life. You’ll choose for yourself what you need and what you want. You will be empowered and will trust yourself more.

6 Reasons You Are Better Off Traveling Before You're Tied Down

3) Reconnect With Yourself

In day-to-day life it can be hard to quiet digital distractions as well as your work and family commitments. With all this noise, finding the time you need to recharge your batteries can be a real struggle. If you take the plunge and go travelling alone, you’ll be able to connect with your thoughts and feelings, a simple task that isn’t necessarily possible during your daily routine.

The quiet time while riding a plane, train or bus, walking to a landmark or eating at a café, provides a space for you to listen to yourself. Solo travel offers ideal conditions for introspection and promotes self-awareness.

4) Fall in Love

While on the road, you’ll come into contact with many people from all walks of life. Travelling puts all sorts of folks in your path. Travelling alone gives you the accessibility to talk to others and for them to speak to you. While you travel you may meet people who you’ll become friends or maybe even lovers with.

If you’re already in a relationship (or the beginning of one), time away will help you to gain perspective on it. Yes, absence does make the heart grow fonder. Solo travel can allow you to reflect on the partnership and cherish it even more. You may find you fall more in love with your special someone back home while you’re on the road.

6 Reasons You Are Better Off Traveling Before You're Tied Down

5) Experiment With Who You Want to Be

It’s not about making up a fake persona or identity. It’s about experimenting with who you are in the world and how you interact with those around you.

Travel allows you to break from the well-defined relationships and connections you have at work and in your personal life. While travelling you don’t have established roles and responsibilities with others. You can try out different behaviors, ones that you don’t necessarily feel able to while in your hometown.

You are free to be who you want to be.

6) Cultivate Your Gratitude of Home

By travelling away from your home, you will gain perspective on it. You’ll foster understanding and an appreciation of what you have in your everyday life.

After the rigors of travelling, deciphering maps and translating foreign languages, a return to the familiar is easy and requires much less effort. Your gratitude for what you do have in your home life will be greatly increased.  

 

You don’t have unlimited time and money to travel, so you need to make conscious choices for each excursion you take. To get the most out of your time away and the finances you use to get there, consider heading out alone. Without the distractions of a travel companion, you can fully engage with the people and places you’ll meet along the way.

This is a guest post by Kacey Mya.

Kacey Headshot Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective.  Throughout her life, she has found excitement in the world around her. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations, cultures, and styles, while communicating these endeavors through her passion for writing and expression. Her love for the world around her is portrayed through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.

Tags being confident, falling in love, finding yourself, independence, inspiration, relationships, solo travel, travelling alone, unplugging