Who doesn’t love to travel and be on the go? I know that I do. I feel as though the more that I’m on a plane, the better. There’s something about being in the air, overlooking the clouds, anticipating your arrival to your destination.

That feeling is one of a kind and there’s nothing like it.

Now picture yourself on a plane in your seat with your noise canceling headphones and bottle of water. Your eyes are closed and you’re thinking about what you plan to do once you touch down.

But here’s the thing; you’re traveling by yourself to this amazing location and you start to have second thoughts.

Don’t listen to them!

Lock them up and throw them away!

Sometimes traveling by yourself can be advantageous and more fun!

Let me give you three reasons why that’s the case.

1. You can do what you want. 

Who here has been on a trip with someone that didn’t want to do anything? What about someone who was super cheap and only wanted to eat at fast food places while you’re on your trip? I can say that I’ve experienced both of those types of people in my travels. The funny thing is that had I not invited them along, I would have had a more enjoyable time. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to have a friend with you when you travel, but at what cost?

Had I not invited my “travel partner” at the time, I would have been more apt to go on that ride, take that excursion, taste that exotic dish. Since they didn’t want to do it and I didn’t want to leave them behind while I did, I bit the bullet and stayed with them. When you travel, you want to be able to try and experience new things. It’s kind of hard to do that if the person you’re with only wants to take naps and doesn’t want to explore the place you’re visiting.

When you travel, you want to be able to try and experience new things. It’s kind of hard to do that if the person you’re with only wants to take naps and doesn’t want to explore the place you’re visiting. In that case, you’re better off on your own. By traveling by yourself, you can do all of the activities and try all of the food that you wish without feeling guilty that you left your friend behind.

2. You don’t have to pay for someone else. 

One thing that really grinds my gears are people who want to go on trips with you but they don’t have any money. Sometimes those same people weasel their way onto your trip only bringing a certain amount of money, expecting you to cover the rest.

Don’t do it.

I repeat, don’t do it!

By traveling by yourself, you are able to spend the money you’ve saved for your trip on you. No one else. If you invite someone along and then have to pay their way, that’ll only stress you out unnecessarily. Plus it will make you resent the person and that’ll be on your mind the entire trip.

3. You are more apt to reach out and meet new people.

Once again, there’s nothing wrong with traveling with a friend. But sometimes it’s easy to stay removed and by yourself with your friend because you don’t know anyone else around you.

Once again, there’s nothing wrong with traveling with a friend. But sometimes it’s easy to stay removed and by yourself with your friend because you don’t know anyone else around you.

By traveling by yourself, you force yourself to reach out to new people. That’s a good thing because sometimes you learn things that you normally wouldn’t have if you just stayed glued to your friends’ hip. You may learn of a hole-in-the-wall place that wasn’t on your tourist list of attractions. Or you may get invited to a club or even get a great suggestion on things that locals love to do.

Why do some of you like to travel alone?

Follow me on Twitter at @Jazzepentopaper and give me some of your thoughts!