Solo traveling has been a way of life for me for a while now. Friends and family aren’t always able to join me for a trip so as I find myself eagerly booking new adventures, I have to admit something. Solo travel can be lonely.
Being a solo traveler does have it perks. You don’t have to rely or wait for anyone, you can do what you want (when you want), and you are free to explore any place without limitation. It’s a lot of freedom and a lot of people like that. However I find myself sometimes wanting to exchange that open freedom for some company (it’s not always that great to travel solo) when traveling.
In my travels through Ireland, Japan, and across different cities in the US, I have found myself lacking company. I don’t need someone to travel with me all the time because I feel unsafe or won’t go somewhere by myself, but instead I’m lacking that companionship while experiencing the adventures. Experiences I want to share with other people and am lacking these days.
It’s one thing to take a picture, post it, blog about it, and relive the experiences and share it across the internet, but it’s different when someone is with you. There are so many stories, things that are not captured on camera, that leave behind lasting memories, but those will only live with me or the stories I tell others. Those little things you see in a bar or just walking around will be things I keep with me but want to share with others (or more importantly, experience with others moving forward).
I’m hoping I’m able to find that someone I can travel with soon. Someone that has a similar schedule to mine and the drive to experience more travel adventures. I know that person is out there, but now I just have to find them! It’s not an easy thing to do, it may require me to step outside of my comfort zone and go beyond what I would usually do, but if I want to find those who can travel with me, it may be worth it.
Travels With Matt Blog 
i usually travel solo. I’m single. I have done some traveling with family members, and I’ve very much enjoyed that. But I’m an introvert, so my nature is well suited to solo travel. Plus, as you mention, solo travel offers freedom. You don’t have to reach compromises on where you’ll go, your accomodations there, what you’ll see, what restaurants you eat in, etc. You’re free to make all of those choices without compromise and without feeling guilty about dragging a traveling companion somewhere where they don’t want to be. (I feel guilty a lot. That’s part of my nature too.)
In short, while I like the company of close family and friends, traveling solo is not something that I consider a necessary evil. It’s something that I tend to choose.
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Thanks for reading, Joe. I travel solo most of the time and it is rewarding. Like I wrote and you stated, you can chose your own path and destination. However I feel that loneliness sometimes while traveling on my own and want to find that person to travel with and experience it with. It doesn’t stop me from planning future trips but it is something I want to pursue and want in my near future.
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