Enjoy it—traveling solo, free from constraints and making lots of new friends

Text/Photo by /Spending My Entire Salary on Travel

If you’ve always wanted to try solo travel but lack a bit of courage, I hope I can persuade you to take that brave step out the door!This time, let your friends be the ones who exclaim, “Wow, you’re traveling all by yourself!”

1. Go whenever you want — no need to round up people

Every time a budget airline has a sale, it feels like a battle. Unless you already have fixed travel companions, asking around one by one means everyone is tied down by life. “Oh, I need to check my schedule” or “Let me think about it” — don’t let that stop you. This is your chance to break free. Traveling solo is freeing. You can adjust your plans anytime and go wherever you feel like. It’s so frustrating when you’re in a group and some friends are picky eaters or it takes forever to agree on anything. Oh my god!

2. Traveling solo means eating what you love and going where you want

Seriously, I believe for many people, food is the most important part of travel!While traveling with others can be fun and there’s joy in sharing, when you’re alone, you can truly eat whatever you crave!!Group trips often mean dealing with picky eaters and spending tons of time trying to make decisions together—ugh!!

3. Don’t fear loneliness!It’s actually super easy to make new friends solo

I’m not kidding at all — every time I travel alone, it’s when I make the most friends!Why? Well, the internet is so advanced now. Even when you’re traveling solo, you can use backpacker hostels or the travel forums on PTT to find people to eat with or explore attractions with!Not to mention, just walking around, even if you’re just having a casual meal, if you smile bravely and kindly at people around you, it’s so easy to strike up a conversation — isn’t that part of the fun of travel? Also, I highly recommend staying in backpacker hostels when traveling solo. It’s super easy to meet people!

4. Use a tripod for photos — no worries about missing memories

If your travel companion is terrible at taking photos, you might as well set up the tripod yourself. There are so many tripods online, from cheap to high-end, and many are super lightweight — don’t tell me you find them too heavy!When you’re solo, you can take your time taking photos, no one will rush you to the next spot, okay?If you’re really not good with a tripod, you can also ask a passerby to take your photo!My personal tip is to ask women or people carrying cameras — they usually have a better sense of composition. Or you can frame the shot yourself and just ask someone to press the button. In short, don’t give up on capturing memories just because you’re traveling alone!

5. Quietly reflect on life and learn to enjoy your own company

Oh, I know there’s a group of people who are super afraid of being alone. They’d never go to the movies or shopping alone. Of course, that’s not a bad thing. I’ve always believed that people who are good at interacting with others are wonderful!But there’s also a saying that those who can quiet their minds, enjoy their own company, and appreciate solitude are the truly mature ones. When you’re with others, it’s easy to be influenced by their opinions. Why not take some time to be alone, and figure out what you truly desire?

After sharing all this with you, I believe those who dare to travel solo have probably already done so. Those who are hesitant may still have lots of doubts. I just hope everyone can believe that traveling solo really isn’t that scary!Maybe you don’t have much experience and are afraid of running into problems during independent travel — in that case, you can also choose a guided tour!Haha, and I’m quite optimistic. I believe every problem you encounter is, in some way, a hidden opportunity!

Remember, no one in this world can make decisions for you. Only you can decide what you truly want!Although I always sound like I’m preaching about this idea and the beauty of freedom, I also deeply feel that Taiwanese people carry so many indescribable pressures. May everyone on their life journey dare to make their own decisions, instead of letting others decide for you!

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