An Ode to Traveling Solo
Disclaimer: I've had some wine, and I'm feeling philosophical, so... yeah.
There is something so empowering about traveling alone. Don't get me wrong, I love going places with family or friends, but I looooove traveling with just me and my Spotify account.
I guess it comes from being a bit of a control freak, not to mention a rebel at heart. I love not having to follow anyone's schedule but my own, and having the freedom to plan things that I enjoy without thinking about whether someone else will like it. I can eat Indian food, spend an hour or two browsing some local shops, sing along to Three Days Grace in the car at full volume, take an extra long bubble bath, and sleep like a starfish in a king-size bed.
(And yes, I did do all of those things today. Except for the sleeping, but ohhhh boy, I'm about to!)
I also really enjoy disconnecting from my everyday life. I love my family, I like my job and the people I work with, and I have a really good life. But it's so nice to put my phone on silent and just focus on me. Some might consider this self-centered behavior, but considering how much time I spend every single day focusing on everyone except me, I disagree. It's healthy. It's therapeutic. It's necessary.
I've taken several "me-cations" since I got my first car, and I've learned more about myself during those trips than at any other time in my life. I learned to love myself while on a solo trip. I learned that I'm funny as hell. I learned that my favorite coffee is that high caffeine stuff at Maverik gas stations, especially when mixed with hazelnut cream. I learned that KFC is my guilty pleasure comfort food. I learned, much to my surprise at the time, that I am an introvert.
I learned that I'm a chameleon, that I tend to mimic those around me because I think that's what they want, and it's the only way they'll keep me around.
I learned that my true self is worth showing... and worth loving... and that anyone who doesn't love my true self isn't worth my time.
And I learned all of that while in my car listening to Fall Out Boy (or Disney soundtracks... or both).
Long rant aside, I think everyone should experience solo travel at least once in their life. You might find you don't like it, but you just as easily might find you love it. Whether you travel or not, though, take time to get to know yourself, to figure out what makes you, you. And most importantly, love yourself. ❤️
(I'm gonna go sleep like a starfish now.)
