In the past few years, India has witnessed a significant rise in the number of people travelling solo. For some, it’s a giant leap of faith; for others, it is the uncertainty and the hope of connecting with the inner self. One thing is for certain, though, the trend is here to stay.

The thought of travelling alone to a far-off place can be overwhelming at first, but it’s much like pulling off a band-aid. However, once a solo trip is over, a person will never remain the same. It boosts confidence, in experiences, through memories, and one must learn to trust and let themselves be guided by life than the other way around. While there are a few factors that should be kept in mind, solo travelling opens up a whole new world full of wonders. Here are the reasons why people should travel solo at least once in their lifetime.

Brings a true sense of freedom

Many take pride in being financially independent, but it’s only when people travel solo that they taste a true sense of freedom as it allows them to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. As solo travellers, the time is entirely theirs, which can be a liberating experience in itself

Boosts confidence

Solo travelling, at its core, is nothing short of a transformative journey. From booking the flights to making hotel arrangements and taking all the decisions independently can be harder than it sounds. However, that’s how a person evolves. When people start taking responsibilities, they turn into a much more confident version of themselves. While the changes may not always be visible to an outsider, solo travelling turns people into individuals who are not afraid to take charge and achieve great things without anyone’s help.

Brings together likeminded individuals

Irrespective of the destination, travelling brings together people. When people travel solo, they should be open to the different characters that cross their paths. Of course, they have to be careful, but there’s no harm in mingling with the locals and other travellers. Solo travelling makes people friendlier and more accepting of other’s choices.

A journey towards self-discovery

Solo travelling is an effective way to uncover the hidden parts of one’s personality. Someone may have avoided seafood all their life, but a trip to Sri Lanka might change that forever. Known as the shy one among your friends’ circle, someone may find himself/herself taking the leap of faith and going for adventures sports like sky diving or bungee jumping. Solo travelling is all about introspecting, self-exploration, listening to the inner self, tapping into the previously unknown aspects of one’s personality and reflecting on life.

(The inputs are by Travelyaari, an online bus booking platform)