Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
- I used to be scared to travel alone, but I'm so glad I started doing it at 18.Though I've been with my partner for 15 years, I still prefer solo travel.It's easier to be spontaneous, and it's also good for my relationship.
As a young and carefree 18-year-old, I felt terrified at the idea of traveling on my own. Thankfully, I decided to start traveling anyway and went on my first trip to Tanzania. I caught the travel bug and continued traveling solo over the years, including trips to Thailand, Singapore, and Australia. It took a few years to truly overcome my fear, but an overland trip to South America at 22 taught me to be brave when I visited five countries alone after my friend left.
Solo travel makes me feel empowered, and it also makes me feel young again, as it reminds me of that first backpacking trip when I was 18. There's no feeling more exciting to me than setting foot in a new country by myself for the very first time.
My traveling has slowed down as my real-life responsibilities, including work, family ties, home ownership, and parenting, have all taken their toll on my freedom. Now that I go on fewer trips, I'm more determined than ever to make the most of my time, which is easier when I'm alone.
Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
My partner and I have traveled together before
When people see me alone, they often assume I'm single, but the truth is, I just love my independence. In reality, I have had a partner for 15 years, and we've enjoyed many incredible experiences traveling together as well.
That's not to say that I haven't enjoyed traveling with others, as I've been away with many friends, as well as my boyfriend. My biggest journey was a yearlong sabbatical to South and Southeast Asia with him, where we visited jaw-dropping sights from the Taj Mahal in India to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
There are, of course, many benefits to traveling with a partner. I felt much safer with him in certain countries. I didn't have to worry as much about making friends. I had someone to share memories with, and we helped each other in times of stress or illness.
However, while we made a lot of great memories together on our trip, I did find myself missing the nights out that I often enjoy alone, where I never know what'll happen next, and the surprise jaunts to lesser-known places that often happen with people I meet around town during solo travel.
Now, we have different places that we both want to visit. He wants to go to South America and spend time visiting friends in Europe, whereas I want to explore more of Africa and the Middle East. Traveling alone means we don't need to compromise or revisit places we've already been to separately, just for the sake of traveling together.
Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
I just happen to prefer traveling alone
I feel that just because I'm in a relationship, it doesn't mean I have to give up my independence. In fact, being in a relationship makes it even more important for me to hold onto the opportunities for adventure that come with solo travel. In the time my partner and I have been together, I've enjoyed solo trips to Spain, Madeira, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and weekends away in the UK.
I feel there's more room for spontaneity when I travel alone. On solo trips, I've often been approached by other solo travelers looking for companions, and I find it's easier to meet new people, which is a huge part of what I enjoy about traveling. In my experience, people are less likely to engage with a couple, as they assume you want to be alone.
Courtesy of Jennifer Sizeland
The other upsides of solo travel are that I get alone time, I don't have to compromise on activities, I can do things my partner wouldn't enjoy, and I can work remotely if I want to without ignoring someone. Spending time apart is also beneficial for our relationship; it's a vital opportunity to miss each other when we otherwise spend every day together, and it gives us something to talk about when we reunite.
It's also simply gotten easier over the years, as more women seem to be embracing solo travel, and I've met plenty of people who share the same enthusiasm I have for it.
