by Sophia Smith: As social creatures, we love traveling in packs. We organize getaways with our spouses, best friends, we take our kids to vacation,

and we’ve all had that stage of going to the bathroom together – remember that, ladies? Over time, as we become more mature and life gains new layers of meaning for us, we realize that there’s as much value in solitude as it is in company. We break out of patterns, we find our own empowerment, and we beat our own paths.

This is one of the ways we start craving solo travel as women. Some, of course, remain reluctant no matter how experienced and wise they might be, due to all the reasonable concerns solo travel comes with. From safety to loneliness, the risks of solo travel still don’t outweigh the benefits, which is why every woman in her mature stage of life should take on a solo adventure abroad. Here are a few reasons to do it and a few different ways to do it as safely and enjoyablely as possible.

Expand your social circle

For those who have traveled during the pandemic, mindfulness has become a prerequisite for safety, awareness, and reducing risk. Knowing where you can visit safety without jeopardizing your wellbeing as well as that of others is vital in any situation, let alone during a health crisis.

However, now that we’re slowly seeing the pandemic dwindling, we can hope to restore our travel goals in the upcoming months. What that means for traveling ladies globetrotting solo is that you will find yourself with more opportunities to meet new people, rather than practice strict social distancing.

The dynamics of meeting people when you travel in a group or with another person often depends on them, as well. When you’re alone, you can take your time to evaluate a situation, research local gatherings such as gallery openings, and find ways to make connections on your own.

Finding safety in new experiences

Especially as we age, safety becomes a major concern for most of us who contemplate the idea of solo travel. All the “what ifs” in the world make those fears bubble up inside us and prevent us from actually taking that bold step into the unknown.

However, you can find that some solo experiences can be as rewarding and safe as those you embark on with swarms of people you know and love. One way solo travel for women has started flourishing is with the help of wellness retreats designed to bring you out of your shell and help you recuperate from the stress of it all.

Once you find a wholesome, rejuvenating wellness retreat for women that suits your preferences, you will find yourself feeling curious about all the possibilities it entails. From meditative sessions with the right guidance, yoga classes, all the way to restorative food, you can actually travel solo while securing your own safety in the process.

Discovering your innermost self

Whether you do end up on a yoga retreat somewhere on an exotic island, or you choose to explore the fast-paced urban hotspots as they reopen to visitors, you’ll have some of the most meaningful conversations in your lifetime, with none other than yourself.

For example, if you try taking some of those hidden hikes where you won’t come across dozens of enthusiastic tourists roaming about, you’ll find yourself deeply immersed in your own thoughts, surrounded by the sound and sights of nature. You’ll finally have the time and the space to think about your life, your wants and needs, your fears, and come up with different ways to tackle what’s ahead.

Solo travel helps you eliminate all the white noise around you and focus on your innermost voice, where all the purest, most genuine desires emerge.

Leaving your comfort zone behind

Most of us have grown accustomed to traveling with companions, having someone to talk to, asking them to take over the tasks we find less appealing, such as communicating in a foreign language, or asking for directions.

These may seem like trifles, but when you’re on your own, you get the chance to elevate your confidence by taking on such challenges that you’d normally avoid. Finally abandoning your comfort zone, you’ll find yourself learning new skills, adapting to new circumstances, learning about new cultures, about yourself.

Although your comfort zone will be there when you go back home, you will have expanded it immensely, by learning just how much you’re capable of when you venture off that beaten path.

Solo travel for women is an adventure, an escapade that will help you uncover your own strengths, learn how to appreciate yourself more than ever, and respect your own independence in life. Although solo travel has its risks, you have what it takes to prevent mishaps and issues along the way.

It’s about embracing that freedom and the responsibility that comes with it to see the world unhindered by the views of others. This is a wonderful opportunity to create an experience that will be entirely your own and that will teach you to always appreciate your own skills, mental fortitude, and of course, your own company.

Sophia Smith is a lifestyle blogger, graphic designer and a food enthusiast. She is very passionate about eco-friendly and green topics, sustainable fashion, eco beauty, and conscious business. Sophia’s other hobbies centre around her love for yoga, wellness rituals and living in balance with nature. She loves sharing meaningful content that inspires people and has covered topics ranging from organic products and sustainability to self-care and mental health. Sophia has contributed to a number of publications including Eco Warrior Princess, Naughty Nutrition, Herbs Mother Earth Living, Yoga Trade, Sivana Spirit, Bonvita Style, High Style Life, Carousel, and Cause Artist.

You can find out more about her writing by following her on Twitter (@sophia_bri) 

Contact: sophia.smith.bri@gmail.com