The new year is upon us! Most people take to journaling and other mindfulness practices to assess the previous year and plan for the next. A solo trip is another opportunity to look inward, check in with yourself, and dream again. Traveling alone will inspire and refresh you as you begin a new year. Here are five reasons to take a solo trip to celebrate the new year.
You Get to Know Yourself Better
When you book a ticket for a solo trip, prepare for a time of reflection and self-discovery. You’ll have ample time to check in with yourself and make room for the good, the bad, and the ugly to surface. You can ask yourself introspecitive questions like: What makes you happy? What are comfortable or uncomfortable doing? Gaining solitude will be a breath of fresh air as you focus on the present moment and learn more about yourself.
Your Confidence Increases
Another perk of taking a solo trip to celebrate the new year is to increase your confidence. When taking a solo trip, every decision is up to you. You’ll overcome any inevitable obstacle with travel and have to trust yourself to make decisions on the fly. You’ll grow more assertive and decisive through solo travel.
Solitude is Good for Your Well-Being
The pure freedom of solo trips are good for your overall wellness. According to Michigan State University Extension, solitude increases social and emotional health and well-being. Instead of being bogged down by others needs, you are free to pursue passions and desired activities. Solitude empowers you to return to yourself and be more centered, which can set the foundation for long-term happiness and joy.
You Meet New People
When you travel alone, you are sure to meet like-minded, independent people. Although one of the benefits of travel is alone time, making new friends is also a part of the process. Strike up a conversation at a coffee shop or museum. If you sign up for a cooking class or a city tour, you’re sure to make instant friends who can become your tribe.
It Increases Your Gratitude
Taking trips alone shuts out the worlds chaos and allows you to appreciate the little things. Solo travel allows you to take time by the water, put your toes in the sand, or hike in the woods. You get to be quiet, recharge, and appreciate the world. When we take space from our everyday lives, we can value big and small things.