I used to travel always with someone else but this time I decided to do something different, something more “adventurous”. I decided to do my first solo backpack travel at the age of 25 (maybe I should do it before) and decided to sleep in a hostel. For my first solo travel I decided to visit a foreign country, so I went to Madrid in Spain for five days (ok, nothing so extreme or “esotic” and so far away from Italy).
Why did I do a solo backpack trip?
I decided to do a backpack trip because I forced myself to just take in my backpack (a backpack that counts as hand luggage for low cost flight companies) only the essential thinghs, without taking all useless stuff I would have brought if I had travelled with a trolley.
I decided to take a solo travel because I needed a break from routine and mainly because after my degree in Mecanichal Engegneering, I thought, “What’s now?”. So, I needed time to think about my future and find purpose and fulfilment in my life. I needed time alone to find myself, time to just focus on me and my own needs. Solo travel can promote personal growth, self-discovery, and the development of independence.
One huge benefit of solo travel is being able to spend each day any way I liked. Travelling with others means making plans with others and finding compromises that don’t satisfy me at 100% because everyone else has different tastes.
But solo travelling is not only finding ourselves but also has many different benefits that I’ll like to explain (yes, there are also downsides):
Benefits of solo travelling
Solo travelling offers a range of benefits that can enhance personal growth and provide a unique experience. Whether you’re seeking adventure or a new perspective, solo travel can be a rewarding journey. Here are some reasons:
1. Freedom
You have complete freedom and flexibility, no compromise with anyone to do something or do anything you don’t want to.
When you travel alone, every decision is entirely up to you. You have the freedom to choose where to go, what to see. You can prioritize your own interests and passions without having to do things you’re not really interested in or spending time convincing others to do what you want. There are no compromises with other people.
You have the freedom to create your itinerary based on your personal preferences. For example, I went to Madrid and visited all the modernist and contemporary buildings.
You can do whatever you want.
2. Augment self-confidence
Solo travelling augments self-confidence because I’m pushed out from my comfort zone and interact with different cultures. By travelling alone, you don’t have people around you to trust, so you must trust yourself and your abilities. You become more resourceful and learn to find solutions on your own when unexpected situations may arise. Solo travel demands the ability to make decisions independently. You must trust your instinct.
3. Personal growth
Solo travelling means that you spend too much time alone and lots of time to think when you are on the plane, on the bus or other type of means of transport. Spending time by yourself allows you to discover what you really like doing.
4. Improving social skills
Solo travelling, and also sleeping in hostels, makes it easy to meet new people everyday, you automatically open yourself to the chance of meeting new people. So, it’s very easy to improve and develop better social skills. I’m not an extroverted person, but at the same time, I’m not an introverted person. I’m in the middle. By travelling alone, you are forced to talk to people in everyday life so it’s easy to train and develop better social skills as you are meeting different people with different kinds of personalities, for example I met people from South and North America, Germany, Great Britain. You open yourself to build lifelong friendships. For example, I met another guy from Great Britain, we became friends and now we are planning trips together.
5. Finding ourselves
If you are feeling lost, like me before this solo trip, travelling alone will give you a lot of time to think. Finding ourselves is a journey of self-discovery that can help us understand who we are, what we want, and what contribute we can give to the world. It’s not easy to talk about this topic, but here are some things I did that helped me a little bit:
- Identify the things I care about. Think about the issues or causes that interest and inspire you, but also things that make you angry. Just ask yourself: “What do I want to change in the world, or in myself?”.
- Reflect on my strengths and skills. What am I good at, or what do I enjoy doing? What are the qualities or talents that make me unique? How can I use them to make a positive difference in the world?
- Explore my interests and passions. Try new things, learn new skills, and pursue new hobbies that make me happy. Then, express myself creatively by writing, drawing, and making photographs or videos or everything that shows my unique voice.
These are only a few things I did, but in the future, I would like to delve deeper into this topic.
Why sleep in hostels?
Hostels can be a practical choice for those who prioritize experiences and connections over luxury accommodations.
Benefits
Here are some of the advantages of staying in hostels:
- Affordability: Hostels are typically more budget-friendly than hotels, so you can save money and stay for many days in a city without overspending. For example, I paid for four nights the price I would have paid for one night in a 4-star hotel.
- Location: They are frequently located in the heart of the city, making it convenient to explore the area. So you can stay in the centre of the city without spending too much money as a hotel.
- Social Atmosphere: Hostels provide a social environment where you can meet fellow travellers from around the world. I personally met people from Great Britain, South America, Germany. Furthermore, hostels organize group tours, dinners, and other social activities. So it’s a great place to meet and share personal experiences with other people from all over the world and create lasting friendships.
Downsides
During my experience, I’ve noticed different downsides, such as less privacy and varying levels of comfort, against these benefits.
Here are some of the downsides of staying in hostels:
- Lack of Privacy: Dormitory rooms mean less personal space and privacy because you share the same room with other guests. This means you always stand the chance of having someone else in the room at the same time as you. Furthermore you’ll often have to share bathrooms because most of the bathrooms are communal.
- Noise: Sharing a room with others can mean dealing with noise at various hours, which can disrupt sleep. There can be roommates that come back to the room late at night and have people walking past your bed; roommates playing videos on their phones, or simply just being loud.
- Security: With many people coming and going, there’s a higher risk of theft or misplaced belongings. As a tip, always carry a padlock with you and keep your stuff in lockers that most hostels have.
- Different lifestyles: You may encounter roommates from all over the world with different habits or schedules that clash with your own.
Conclusion
Solo travelling is a way of self-discovery and an opportunity to grow as a human being. Of course, at the beginning, it may seem scary because you are alone in a foreign country, but you learn to rely on yourself. I hope that this first solo trip is just the beginning of a long series of trips, I am currently to take a tour of the main countries of Poland and perhaps, later, embarking on a trip to the main cities of the Balkans.
Nicolai PT 