5 Eye-Opening Lessons I Learned Traveling Solo

In 2017, I took a leap that would change how I experience the world forever: I booked a solo trip to Japan. It was my first time traveling outside the United States, and I went completely alone.

Was it scary? Absolutely.
Was it worth it? Without a doubt.

In this post, I want to share the best things I experienced while traveling solo in Japan — not just the fun stuff, but the real, eye-opening lessons that came with being on my own in a foreign country. (I’ll also be posting a follow-up soon about the challenges of solo travel, so stay tuned for that.)

1. You Set the Schedule – Total Freedom

One of the most underrated joys of solo travel is setting your own pace. As someone who wakes up early, I loved hitting the quiet Tokyo streets at sunrise, exploring while the city was still sleepy.

There’s no compromising with a group or adjusting to someone else’s preferences. Whether you want to pack your day from morning to night or just lounge in a café, you decide everything — and that’s a freedom few travel experiences offer.

---

2. Explore Wherever You Want, However You Want

With no one to check in with or negotiate plans, you can go anywhere your curiosity takes you. Want to spend three hours walking the grounds of the Meiji Shrine? Go for it. Feel like hopping trains just to see where they lead? You’re in charge.

Solo travel lets you follow your own interests without apology. And honestly, it’s one of the most empowering feelings in the world.

---

3. Every Decision is Yours to Make

When you’re traveling alone, you are the boss. Want to call it an early night? Do it. Want to change your destination last minute? Go for it.

This kind of independence forces you to trust your gut and own your choices. There’s no fallback plan or group consensus — and while that can be intimidating, it’s also incredibly rewarding. You learn to trust yourself in ways you never have before.

---

4. You Grow Up Fast – Real Fast

Taking that first international trip alone, especially to a place like Japan where I didn’t speak the language, was like being thrown into the deep end. I had to figure out everything from train maps to meal ordering on my own.

It was a crash course in independence. And in doing so, I matured. I learned how to problem-solve under pressure, make quick decisions, and take responsibility — because there was no one else to rely on.

---

5. You Truly Get to Know Yourself

There’s something about being in a new place with no distractions or familiar faces — it strips things down to what really matters. Solo travel taught me what I value, how I handle uncertainty, and how much confidence I could find when I stopped second-guessing myself.

You realize what energizes you, what makes you anxious, and how to enjoy your own company. And that self-awareness sticks with you long after the trip ends.

---

Final Thoughts: Solo Travel is for Everyone

Solo travel doesn’t have to mean jetting off across the world. It could be exploring a nearby city, hiking alone for the first time, or simply spending a day adventuring on your own terms.

But wherever you go, going solo gives you the space to grow, reflect, and experience the world in a more personal, meaningful way.

Thinking about traveling alone? My advice: don’t wait. Start small, start close — just start.

And like I said earlier, not everything about solo travel is perfect. In my next post, I’ll break down the hard parts and honest challenges I faced while traveling alone. Stay tuned!