Pros and Cons of Travelling Solo

I've just realised I've been back over a week and time is already racing by again at real-world pace.  I've mainly spent the last week working, helping out at some of the late-summer events as part of the team for Prestige Events, and it has been great fun. It has helped me to top up my coffers as well, never a bad thing.

But I don't want to rush off into Autumn without a last little look back at my travels. For anyone thinking about doing the same thing, or who likes the idea of travelling alone, the reality of it is really achievable. Honestly.

I'd already had chance to overcome what I had previously perceived to be the worst bit of solo travel, dining in public alone, through lots of work trips in my old life. But armed with a book or a phone, and a little bit of bravado, you can keep yourself occupied until you feel less uncomfortable, whereupon you can start to embrace it. After that, the rest of it is just moving around, sleeping and looking at stuff, all things we can perfectly well do on our own.

Pros

- You can go where you like, eat what you like and do what you like, when you want to. You are completely responsible for your own destiny.

- You can get really hot and sweaty and it doesn't matter because nobody knows you.

- You can wear no make-up and it doesn't matter because nobody knows you.

- You can spread your stuff all over the place without having to consider anyone else.

- Writing is easier - when you're alone you have more time in your own head to reflect and process observations, thoughts and feelings.

Cons

- When things don't go to plan, you have nobody to lean on, or laugh about it with. You have to draw everything from yourself, however this is also a pro, because you learn to believe in yourself and what you're capable of.

- There is nobody to share the good stuff with, in the immediate, but writing a blog is a great outlet.

- Little to no conversation, especially when the majority of people around speak a different language.

- You have to be a contortionist to be able to put sun cream on your own back. 

- You miss out on the night life, it's no fun and too risky alone.

I have deliberately left out safety and security from this list, because nothing bad happened to me. I was sensible about how I stored my cash and valuables, I was mindful about who was around me and I was cautious about being out after dark, but I didn't feel any less secure, anywhere, than when I walk along a familiar street in Hereford. 

Overall, the cons are nowhere near enough to prevent me travelling alone again. I know that if I fancy going somewhere, or seeing something, and nobody I know is free or keen, I can just go and do it. And that feels very liberating.

Photo Credit: Angela Service

Model: Megan Moore