Traveling solo? Here are my thoughts

 

So...I’ve just returned from my first solo trip. I was in Mozambique for a good 5 days and it was nothing short of amazing. The timing was perfect - I was burnt out and just in a bad mental state. It's a bit sad that we only consider taking breaks when we have emptied out our cups to a point where we have nothing left to pour out from. Taking time off should be for leisure and not when we are running on zero and time off has become an urgent need. But, that's not the point of this blog post! Perhaps I will write something on rest sometime soon.

A solo trip has always been something I’ve wanted to do but life just kept getting in the way. I'm glad this one was a success! It was healing to the soul (I am not exaggerating!). 

Just a disclaimer: I wasn't completely alone. I was with strangers who later became friends. I traveled with a traveling agency from South Africa. I didn't know any of the people I was traveling with so I was kind of traveling solo.

What I liked about traveling solo?

1. Being selfish

Traveling with friends is fun and exciting but...it requires a little bit of compromise whether you like it or not. One thing I absolutely loved about traveling solo was the freedom I had. I spent my time exactly how I wanted and for as long as I wanted. I didn't have to think about anybody else but myself. I was completely myself and didn't have to worry about the next person. Absolute freedom!

2. Making friends

I met some amazing and fun people! I wasn't with my usual group of friends where we would normally spend all the days together doing everything together. I got to chat with a lot of different people and got to know and connect with them. It was refreshing hearing about other people's lives and what makes them who they are. I also realized that it was easier getting to know people while traveling solo as compared to when I'm with another person. Perhaps this is caused by the fact that I didn't have anybody by my side so I needed to step out and make friends to make my time there worthwhile. 

3. Being present

Because I was not with people I knew, I allowed myself to soak in every moment without having to worry about the next person who might want us to move on to the next adventure. I enjoyed being silent and watching the sea without anybody asking me if I was okay or whether I was sad or upset. I'm an introvert. I enjoy solitude and silence and thinking deeply and soaking in precious moments. I enjoyed being still and not being asked to take this photo and capture that moment. I allowed myself to be in the moment and bask in it.

4. Reconnecting with God

I did a lot of reflecting on my journey and the season I'm in currently. God reminded me that He is the God of the universe and that He is with me all the time. Watching how vast the sea is, how magnificent the mountains are, how peaceful the mornings are and how the sun sets and rises all reminded me of my GREAT CREATOR.  He reminded me that His timing is perfect and that He has not forgotten about me. He reminded me that I am His and that He loves me dearly.

5. Reconnecting with myself

I was reminded that I am a spiritual person. I am a born-again Christian, a follower of Christ. I was in tune with God, His earth and all that He created. I learnt to listen to my heart and take heed of what it says (yes, I was reading The Alchemist throughout my trip). I was also reminded of my passions, my dreams and my heart's desires. Sometimes our dreams seem elusive and so hard to reach and because of that we become frustrated and discontent. What I realized is that, even the present, the in-between, the waiting and the process is just as important and we need to embrace these moments no matter how difficult they can be. I was also reminded that my life is not mine, it's all God's. Whatever I do, I do it for Him. He is in control, I simply need to trust Him with my life and the direction it is taking. 

Bonus point: You get outside your comfort zone

Besides traveling alone and having to meet and connect with new people, you also face other factors like language barriers and culture shock. I realized that there's a whole world out there with a lot of different and unique people, unique foods and ways of living. Traveling opens up your way of thinking, breaks down stereotypes you may have had and encourages you to want to know more about other people and opening yourself up to their way of living.

I came across a Maasai man in Maputo. I easily spotted him by his unique attire. He was selling jewellery.  He told me he had left Kenya some 4 months ago hoping to make some money in Maputo. I thought that was brave. Living your family behind (and everything you’re familiar with) for so long and hoping to make a living is a big step. With pride, he passionately shared a bit about his country, his culture and the family he left behind. That 5-10 minute conversation was enlightening. It also made me realize how big the world is (with all its various cultures and people) and how I wish I could experience each and every part of it!

Hoping to write more of these solo travel posts!

Yours in health

Grace