4 Ways Traveling Solo Has Helped Me Flourish in Quarantine

Quarantine hasn't been easy on many of us.

Some of us are shacked up alone in our apartments, missing our loved ones dearly. Others are finding it difficult to be in such tight quarters with our family, even though we adore them dearly.

These times of isolation are certainly tricky to navigate. Personally, I've been trucking along just fine. I've realized it was mainly due to the insight I gained as a solo traveler.

Traveling on my own isn't the same as being cooped up indoors, though my adventures have taught me some valuable lessons on how to stick this all out. Read on to find out more!

I Appreciate My Own Company

Traveling the world on my own has really taught me to appreciate my own company. When I'm with no one but me, myself, and I, I have to enjoy being with me. This journey hasn't been easy. It wasn't something that just came to me after my first solo excursion. It took time. I really had to sit with myself and work through my own relationship, which caused a lot of restless nights. But, doing so was really critical in allowing me to feel comfortable traveling on my own. If I can't bask in the glow of my own company, how could I have survived any trip on my own? Exactly. And then once I started to travel more by myself, I really grew closer to, well, myself. I began to understand what I was capable of and grab life by the horns.

I Know How to Deal With Uncertain Situations

Going on solo adventures is terrifying, no matter how many times you've done it. I've done it quite a lot and I still worry every single time knowing I'm out in the world all by myself. No matter how much planning I do, nothing ever goes to plan.

A lot of the time, things go wrong. And if I didn't know how to deal with these uncertain situations, they could've gone much, much worse. From missing flights to Airbnb bookings being wrong, I've learned to tackle it all. So sitting around in quarantine, while scary with the world the way it is, isn't too tough to deal with. I know I'm doing what needs to be done, which helps me deal with it more effectively.

I Am Adaptable

In the same vein as the above point, traveling solo has made me more adaptable, which has really helped with quarantine. Again, I used to try and follow everything by the book, but sometimes you need to throw it out and write your own story. That's something I've learned while traveling on my own. Plans will change, nothing is ever certain, so you have to be adaptable if you want to enjoy the experience. Really, that's half of the adventure. I can't control what's going on in the world, but I can hold myself accountable. I can do my part by staying indoors, not visiting friends and family, and only going to the grocery store when it's absolutely necessary. This is what it takes to fight this thing. This is the "new normal," so to speak. I have to adapt to it and I have.

I Understand How to Use Technology in a Meaningful Way

When you travel on your own, your loved ones tend to worry about you. They want to be in constant contact (especially your parents), so they know you're safe. Because of this, I've learned how to use technology in a meaningful way. I can't physically visit my parents or friends, but I can do so through a phone call or over FaceTime. It's not exactly the same as seeing them face-to-face, but it works. We have an abundance of technology at our fingertips, it's in our best interest to use it accordingly. For me, setting a date and time to speak with family and friends always helps, given it's something to look forward to during these crazy times. Schedule some with those you can't see in the flesh right now. Maybe even come up with topics of discussion or things to avoid. Who says we need to talk about quarantine or coronavirus?

Once this is all said and done, HERE'S why you should plan a solo travel trip!