Why I still Choose to Explore the World on My Own

Solo Travel at an age “where life begins“

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Me, my backpack, and the places I go.

There’s something about getting older that makes you look at life a little differently.

When I was younger, I used to think that traveling was something you normally did with friends, family, or someone special. You plan a trip together, agree on the itinerary, and split the expenses, and hopefully everyone enjoys the experience.

Sounds very ideal, right? But the thing is, as we get older, for some, it becomes harder to find someone who shares the same availability budget, interests, and willingness to travel. Someone’s busy with work. Someone has family commitments. Someone wants a relaxing vacation, while you want to wake up at 5AM just to catch the sunrise.

And sometimes, after all the planning, the trip doesn’t even happen.

So at some point, I realized something. If I keep waiting for someone to travel with, I might end up missing the opportunity to see the places I’ve always wanted to visit.

And that is likely one of the reasons I continue to travel alone. Now that I’m in my, say, “age where life begins,” I appreciate that decision even more.

Traveling Alone Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Being Lonely

One of the common questions I get about solo travel is, “Hindi ka ba nalulungkot mag-travel mag-isa?”

Well, sometimes, yes. I don’t think there’s any point pretending that traveling alone is always exciting and enjoyable. There are moments when you wish someone were there to share the experience with you. This is especially true when you’re standing in front of an incredible view, eating something really good, or simply wanting someone to take a decent photo of you without having to ask a stranger.

And let’s be practical. Taking selfies or dramatic travel photos on your own can sometimes be a challenge. Haha! But over time, I’ve also learned to appreciate being on my own. I can spend as much time as I want in a particular place. I don’t have to rush because someone else is getting bored. I can change my itinerary, explore a random street, or simply sit somewhere and enjoy the surroundings.

And if I decide to spend an extra hour taking photographs, I don’t have to wait for anyone’s approval. That’s probably one of the things I enjoy most about solo travel. The freedom to experience a destination at my own pace. It’s not that I don’t enjoy traveling with other people. I do. But there’s a different kind of satisfaction in being able to make your own decisions and enjoy the experience without constantly adjusting to everyone else’s preferences.

Living Abroad Made Me Appreciate My Independence

I’ve been living and working in Singapore since 2018. Being an OFW comes with its responsibilities. There’s work, family, financial commitments, and the usual challenges of building a life away from home. And like many people working abroad, my annual leave is something I have to plan carefully.

I can’t just disappear for a month whenever I feel like traveling. I have to consider my work schedule, available leave, budget, and everything else happening in my life. So whenever I get the opportunity to travel, I try to make the most of it.

Occasionally that means planning an itinerary months in advance. Other times, it’s simply finding a destination that fits the time and budget I have. But one thing I’ve learned is that I don’t necessarily need to wait for other people to be available.

If the opportunity is there, and I can reasonably afford it, why not? After all, we work hard for many reasons. And for me, one of those reasons is being able to experience more of the world beyond my everyday routine.

From Europe to Japan: Why I Keep Exploring

Looking back at some of my recent adventures, I realize how much traveling has become part of my life.

A few months ago, I went on a solo adventure across England, Scotland, Iceland, and Norway. And just as the winter season ended early this year, I returned to Japan for another trip, exploring Tokyo and Aomori. Different countries, different experiences, and definitely different weather conditions.

But what I appreciate about these trips isn’t just the opportunity to visit famous landmarks or take photographs. It’s the experience of being somewhere unfamiliar and figuring things out on my own. Navigating public transportation. Planning how to get from one destination to another. Managing time and expenses. And I occasionally question whether I’ve made the right decision with my itinerary. Because let’s face it, even with all the research and planning, things don’t always go exactly as expected.

But I suppose that’s part of the adventure. When I look back at my travel photographs, I don’t just remember what a particular destination looked like. I remember the effort it took to get there, the excitement of finally seeing it in person, and the feeling of knowing that I made the trip happen.

And that, for me, makes the experience even more meaningful.

The Places, the Photographs, and the Memories

Photography has always been one of the things I enjoy about travelling.

I like documenting places, capturing landscapes, and looking for interesting perspectives that I can share through my blog or videos. Sometimes, I probably spend more time taking photographs than I originally intended. But that’s part of the fun. And when I look back at those photographs, I don’t just remember what a particular destination looked like. I remember the effort it took to get there, the excitement of finally seeing it in person, and the satisfaction of knowing that I made the trip happen.

Those are the memories that make traveling worthwhile for me.

How My Perspective on Solo Travel Has Changed

I’ve noticed that the more I travel, the more I appreciate experiences that feel meaning rather than simply trying to visit as many attractions as possible.

Don’t get me wrong. I still enjoy planning itineraries, researching destinations, and figuring out how to maximize my time somewhere. In fact, sometimes I probably spend too much time planning. But I’ve also learned that not every trip needs to be packed with activities from morning until evening. Sometimes, it’s better to spend more time appreciating one place than rushing through several spots just to tick them off a list.

I’ve also become more conscious of how I spend my travel budget. There are things I’m willing to pay more for, particularly when they make the experience more convenient, comfortable, or memorable. And there are other things where I’m perfectly happy choosing a more practical option.

After all, traveling doesn’t always have to be luxurious to be enjoyable. For me, it’s becoming less about how many places I’ve visited and more about the experiences and memories I bring home. And I think that’s a positive thing.

What Solo Travel Has Taught Me About Myself

I think one of the most valuable things about traveling alone is that it gives you time to reflect.

In our everyday lives, we’re constantly occupied with responsibilities. Work deadlines. Meetings. Family matters. Financial commitments. And now, in my case, even graduate school. There’s always something that needs attention. But when I’m traveling, especially when I’m somewhere far from my usual environment, I get a chance to disconnect from that routine. Not necessarily from everything, because responsibilities don’t magically disappear when you board a plane. But at least for a while, I can focus on where I am and what I’m experiencing.

I’ve also realized that being independent doesn’t mean you always have to know what you’re doing. Sometimes, you make mistakes. You take the wrong direction. You realize your original plan wasn’t practical. And you adjust.

It’s a simple lesson, but I think it’s something that applies beyond traveling. You don’t always need to have everything figured out before taking the next step.

Sometimes, you learn along the way.

But Is Solo Travel Really for Everyone?

Probably not.

And I think that’s perfectly fine. Some people genuinely enjoy traveling with friends or family. Others feel more comfortable having someone around, especially when visiting an unfamiliar country.

There are also practical considerations. Traveling alone can sometimes be more expensive because you don’t have someone to share accommodation or transportation costs with.

You also need to be more mindful of your safety, belongings, and surroundings. And when something goes wrong, you’re usually the first person who has to figure out what to do next.

So I wouldn’t encourage someone to travel solo simply because it’s becoming popular on social media. Instead, I’d say try it if you’re genuinely curious. You don’t have to start with a two-week European adventure. It could be a weekend getaway, a short trip to a nearby city, or even a day exploring somewhere you’ve never visited before.

Start with something you’re comfortable with. And see how you feel. You might discover that you actually enjoy it. Or you might realize that you’d rather travel with someone.

Either way, at least you’ve given yourself the opportunity to find out.