Solo travel: have you ever gone somewhere purely on your own motivation? I recently returned from a solo trip to California – it’s the first time I’ve traveled without friends in years. I had a last minute opportunity come up where I had a week off work – so I decided to take full advantage of it and book the cheapest flight I could find. I did stay with family members I am incredibly blessed to have and spent some time with them, but most of my days I was exploring on my own timeline at whatever pace I set for myself.

Let me preface this by telling you I am quite extroverted. I always travel with others and enjoy using all the free time I can to connect with other human souls. I often hike alone, but typically no longer than 8 hours at time. When you travel alone, you are faced with DAYS where you are exploring new things with just yourself and inner thoughts. Sometimes this is great and empowering. Other times it’s the exact opposite.

Some of the best parts of exploring a new place were that I could literally do whatever I wanted. If I wanted to hike all day, I could. If I wanted to just sit on the beach, I could. If I wanted to be crazy enough to hike down a cliff right before the sunset and brave cold weather to stand with my tripod and camera equipment into the night, and then hike back up in the dark, I could. The freedom to structure my own day was divine. I could have my headphones in for hours, and lose myself in entire albums that motivated me and provided a soundtrack for every new turn.

There were also points where I was terrified. Hiking back up a cliff at night by myself was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. I had the correct gear and have hiked at night before, but every tiny shadow and gust of the wind that rustled the leaves put me on edge. I don’t think I’ve ever hiked faster. I later realized I was scaring myself more than anything – but you will have moments where you must face fear in new ways.

The most valuable thing I got out of traveling with myself was that I had to face a lot of my own thoughts that I normally push aside. There are no other conversations to join that often distract you from the most vulnerable parts of your mind. After a few days you really start to see different sides of yourself – some of these aspects you will be proud of, and others may bring on some feelings of discomfort. You are granted with an opportunity to push your own limits – to push your own scope of thoughts. You must learn to be comfortable in your own skin.

How creative will your mind be? How much can you learn about yourself? You won’t know unless you try.