Marcy MinianoI’ll be honest: my first order of (travel) business, once this nightmarish pandemic is over, is to finally embark on a solo trip. In fact, this is something that I’ve really been meaning to do since late 2019. Alas, life happens and so, I suppose this would-be milestone will have to wait. But I’d be lying if I said I’m not constantly dreaming of my post-pandemic solo travel; including making a ranking of viable destinations that range from megacities to far-off islands.
Okay, enough about me. I’m sure many of you have read and/or heard countless solo travel stories that vary from exciting to daunting. But if there’s one key takeaway that I got from every story, it’s this: #NoRegrets! So, if you’re looking for a sign to go on a post-pandemic solo trip once this chaos is over, well then — here it is. Read on for all the reasons why you should (whether or not it’ll be your first time).
Note: These are a mix of my personal insights and those from my more gutsy and adventurous friends who have already done it before!
1. Everything is entirely up to you!
Travelling alone is perhaps one of the few moments wherein it’s perfectly fine to be selfish. Come on, isn’t it nice to be such every now and then? Especially if, these past few months, you’ve been taking many people into consideration for health and safety reasons. So, when the time comes for your post-pandemic solo trip, you can finally have the perfect trip that you really want!
Not to guarantee that everything will go all according to plan, but at the very least, it would be easier given that there are fewer external factors to consider. Basically, you can enjoy your trip however you wish and at your own pace. Planning to spend an entire afternoon in a museum or trying to see 10 different attractions all in one day? Whichever it is — go right ahead! And of course, you have the option to stick to your itinerary or change plans on a whim. Hey, whatever floats your boat.
2. You’ll surely have lots of ‘me time’
Regardless of your quarantine situation, whether you’re living alone or staying with other people, we’ve all felt pangs of loneliness at one point. Blame it on cabin fever and/or everything else that’s happening in the world lately. But it’s important to note that alone doesn’t always mean lonely… especially when it’s post-pandemic solo travel!
For starters, you’ll be out and about exploring anyway. Wouldn’t it be quite the idyllic break after being stuck indoors most of the time? If you haven’t experienced getting some ‘me time’ while wandering around an unfamiliar place, then Iet me tell you: it’s all kinds of relaxing. And when you’re travelling solo, then that means you have all the time in the world to think, wander around, and reflect in peace.
Also read: Why Travelling Solo is Better Than Travelling With Friends
3. You get to re-acquaint yourself with the outside world
Again, after mostly staying at home for months on end, the outside world has probably become a rather alien concept. And by ‘outside world,’ I mean places that aren’t your hometown or current city. This could be your go-to vacation spot or a totally new destination! Whichever it is, travelling alone gives you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with not-too-familiar places. And unlike when travelling with a companion, you’ll be able to observe new surroundings with minimal distractions. Take in the sights, smells, tastes, and sounds that you might possibly miss out on had you chosen otherwise.
4. It’s a lot like regaining your independence
Image credit: Anete Lūsiņa
This is especially true if you’ve gotten used to being dependent on people for the past few months. Not that that’s a bad thing; we currently live in trying times, after all! But wouldn’t it be great to finally venture outside your comfort zone once again? Truly, there’s nothing like post-pandemic solo travel to help you re-learn to trust your own wits and skills. Doesn’t this freedom sound quite liberating, after feeling trapped for so long? We think, yes.
Also read: 5 Simple Things that Solo Travellers Should Do on Their Trip
5. It’s easier to maintain boundaries and/or social distancing
On the downside, I’m fairly certain that there’ll still be that collective paranoia lingering even after the pandemic is gone. If we’re being realistic, it will take us quite some time before we can truly feel safe with large crowds and physical contact. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s hard to revert from this new normal we currently have.
But hey, don’t let this stop you from satisfying your wanderlust! I mean, if it truly is safe already, then why not? Fortunately, going on a post-pandemic solo trip means you can easily continue social distancing in the meantime. Or you know, if you just generally like having your own physical boundaries. (Personally, as someone who is rather flimsy with the idea of hugging people, even pre-pandemic, I totally get it!)
6. You’ll be able to meet new people after so long
If you’re more on the extroverted side, then this should definitely be a huge plus! Travelling with others often entails sticking together all throughout, which might be a problem if you want to really socialise. Admit it — meeting new people is one of the things you miss most during this pandemic. That said, might as well opt for post-pandemic solo travel if you’re itching to be your normal, social butterfly self once more.
Though, if you consider yourself to be more of an introvert, then that’s fine as well. Some might say that quarantine comes easier for you, but we know that’s not always the case. So, should you also go for a post-pandemic solo trip, use it as an opportunity to try something that usually intimidates you. It can be something as simple as asking the hotel concierge about where the best places to eat are! You got this.
Note: Whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, always remember to still be wary when it comes to strangers. Best not to get overly eager by throwing caution to the wind.
7. You’re free to go wherever you want!
It’s no secret that most (if not all) of us are itching to travel again. That said, many people will probably have their own different preferences on where they want to travel post-pandemic! Depending on your dynamic with your usual travel buddies, it might be tough to decide on a specific destination that everyone would be on board with. So, why not put your group trip on the backburner and opt to go solo first? That way, you can pick pretty much any destination you want (within reason). No hard feelings.
8. How you spend will be entirely up to you
Image credit: Blake Wisz
Some people have been able to save a lot from all those months of staying at home; others don’t. Whichever you are, it’s important to set a realistic budget for your trip. But also, keep in mind that some of your travel buddies might not have the same budget range. So, yes, this might make things complicated.
On the other hand, if you opt for a post-pandemic solo trip, then it’ll definitely be easier for you to decide how much you’ll spend. Do you want to spend on a nice Airbnb or go for an affordable hostel? Do you want to try out all the hip restaurants or opt for hole-in-the-wall eateries? Do you want a week-long stay or would three days suffice? Whatever it is, how much dough you’ll shell out is all up to you!
Also read: 7 Tips to Save Money as a Solo Traveller
9. You’ll learn more about yourself
Going back to what I said earlier about having ‘me time,’ post-pandemic solo travel lets you wander around and maybe even reflect. Think of it as a great time to do some soul-searching, especially if you haven’t been feeling like yourself while in quarantine. Sure, most of us probably have more time now to just sit by ourselves and simply be. Still, it’s just not the same when you don’t have much of a choice in the first place.
But when you’re out there exploring on your own, self-reflection definitely feels more like self-care and less like mental torture. Or better yet, why not go through the realisations you’ve had over quarantine and place them in the context of a post-pandemic world? Think of it as self-discovery that is outwards, after months of reflecting inwards.
Also read: Travel Made Easy: 15 Essential Tips Every First-Time Solo Traveller Needs to Know
So, has this list finally convinced you to take the leap and opt for a post-pandemic solo trip? Though, if you’re still on the fence about it, I suggest taking time to think it through — especially if it’s going to be your first-ever solo adventure.
Not sure where to go yet? Better start checking some of the best destinations for solo travellers then. And hey, feel free to holler in the comments if you’d like to ask your fellow readers for more recos, too!
