Solo Travel: Was It Lonely? My Honest Thoughts
Finally Took the Plunge: Solo Travel
Okay, so, for years I’ve been toying with the idea of solo travel. You know, seeing those Instagram posts of people backpacking through Southeast Asia or hiking some epic trail all by themselves. It looked…amazing. And terrifying. Mostly terrifying, if I’m honest. I’m naturally more of a homebody type so the thought of going anywhere alone, especially on a solo *trip* seemed daunting. But I kept seeing these posts and thought “I can do this!”
The thing is, I always had a million excuses. No one to watch the dog, too expensive, what if I get bored, what if I get… kidnapped? The list goes on. But then, last month, I just…booked a flight. Impulse decision, totally out of character, but I did it. Barcelona, Spain. A city I’d always wanted to see. Two weeks. Me, myself, and I. No turning back.
The Initial Awkwardness (and the Food!)
The first few days were…weird. I mean, really weird. Eating alone was especially awkward. I felt like everyone was staring at me, judging my solitary existence. Which, probably, they weren’t, but still. I spent the first day mostly wandering Las Ramblas (very touristy, I know!), trying to shake off the feeling that I needed to justify my being there, alone.
But, you know what? The food in Barcelona is incredible! Paella, tapas, all the things I only see on TV! And pretty soon, the food was more interesting than my self-consciousness. I started really *looking* at things. The architecture, the people, the little side streets I would have missed if I was too busy chatting with someone else. I realized I could go at my own pace, eat where I wanted, stay out late (or go back to my Airbnb and nap – no judgement!). It was… liberating.
The People You Meet (Or Don’t Meet)
One of my biggest worries was being completely alone the entire time. I’m not exactly a social butterfly, more of a “stick to myself” kind of person. I feared spending two weeks without a single meaningful conversation, and the awkwardness! Surprisingly though, I met a lot of people. Some were other solo travelers, others were locals who were just… friendly. I struck up conversations in cafes, on walking tours (which I highly recommend!), and even in my Airbnb’s common area.
Funny thing is, some of the most interesting conversations I had were with people I only spoke to for a few minutes. A barista who recommended a hidden tapas bar, a street artist who shared his philosophy on life, another tourist in Park Guell. Short, sweet, and surprisingly impactful. But I also had plenty of time to myself. To read, to think, to just…be. And honestly, that was just as valuable.
My Biggest Solo Travel Fail (and Lesson Learned)
Okay, so, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. I had a major fail. I decided to take a day trip to Montserrat, which is this incredible monastery in the mountains outside of Barcelona. Sounds peaceful, right? Well, I completely missed my train. Got to the station, looked at the schedule wrong, and watched the train pull away. Ugh, what a mess!
I stood there, feeling like the biggest idiot in the world. I almost gave up and just went back to my Airbnb. But then I thought, “No! This is *my* trip. I’m not letting a missed train ruin it.” I figured out the next train (which was an hour later), and finally made it to Montserrat. It was beautiful. The views were stunning. And you know what? I appreciated it even more because I had to overcome a little obstacle to get there. The biggest lesson I learned on my solo travel was that screw-ups aren’t failures; they’re just part of the adventure.
So, Was It Lonely?
The million-dollar question, right? Was solo travel lonely? Honestly? Sometimes. There were moments when I wished I had someone to share a breathtaking sunset with, or to laugh with over a funny mishap. But those moments were far outweighed by the times I felt empowered, independent, and completely free.
I learned a lot about myself on that trip. I learned that I’m more resourceful than I thought. I learned that I’m perfectly capable of navigating a foreign city by myself. And I learned that I actually really enjoy spending time with… myself. It was like taking a breather to appreciate what I have and where I’m going in life.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. In a heartbeat. Next time, maybe somewhere completely different… like Tokyo or Iceland. Who even knows what’s next? The point is, I’m not afraid to find out. If you’re even remotely considering solo travel, I say go for it. It might just be the best thing you ever do. And if you’re as curious as I was about Barcelona’s best spots, you might want to dig into research for the best authentic tapas bars, as many tourist traps are around. Just saying.
