Hey there!
Here's a quick hello from Belgrade, Serbia. I'm sitting in a lovely small café near one of the parks, drinking espresso on ice, and writing this email.
I just moved into an apartment in the center, and I want to stay here for a month or two. You can see the adventure on my Instagram.
Over the years, a lot of people told me they couldn't imagine traveling solo. It often prevents them from traveling as much as they want, and I can't help but feel that they're missing out.
While I also love traveling with other people, I absolutely love traveling solo.
Some of my best, life-defining experiences happened when I adventured alone, and I owe a lot of my skills and self-esteem to my solo trips.
When traveling solo, you might get lonely. After all, you're on your own around people who might look differently, speak a different language, and have a different culture.
But I found that it also gives me more motivation to speak with other people.
When I travel with a friend, I have someone to talk to, and I don't need to go out and meet new people. Being alone gives me that little additional push over the introvert/extrovert scale. I have to connect with new people. Otherwise, I’d go mad.
"A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet" – Yes Theory
As a solo traveler, you are the one who has to take care of everything.
All the shit that inevitably happens falls on your shoulders. And that's good.
Being able to take care of yourself in any situation builds your self-esteem and courage and makes you better for living through it.
Sure, I wasn't overjoyed when I was limping through the Pyrenees with a sprained ankle, or when I slept on the streets of Venice because I forgot to get out of the train, or when I was lost in the Marrakesh hungry, thirsty, and with no internet.
But whatever happened, I figured out a solution and survived.
"Prioritize and execute." – Jocko Willink
Traveling solo might be a little more demanding, but you'll learn more about yourself, experience freedom, and become more independent.
I strongly believe that everybody should experience solo adventures at least once.
So the next time you're thinking about traveling but have no one to go with you, consider jumping in on your own.