A breakup is one of the most significant events of a person’s life. It changes you and also how you view a lot of things in life. Suddenly the rose-tinted glasses come off and you realise that the world isn’t as colourful as you thought it was. Or at least that is what you are made to believe. Every break up is unique in its own way and depends from relationship to relationship.
Sometimes it leaves you feeling like this:
And if you were in a particularly toxic relationship, it leaves you like this:
But more often than not it is the former. And like any self-doubting individual, you find yourself on the world’s most-used search engine Googling away post-breakup remedies. The first thing that pops up is travelling your sorrows away. That’s right, a solo trip. But when you have gone through something so life-altering, is travelling all by yourself really such a great idea? According to research, more and more millennials are packing their bags and travelling to new destinations all by themselves to find themselves. And that’s great because it does work for a lot of people who are looking to find their individuality after having been tied down by the weight of a relationship.
Just like a coin, travelling alone has two sides to it. So, how about we explore both sides of it.
The Pros Of Travelling Alone
Now that you are your own individual, it only makes sense to step out of your comfort zone and explore what you have been missing out on. Travelling alone post the break up of a relationship is a fairly common topic in pop culture and we have seen examples of it in movies like Eat, Pray, Love and Queen closer back home. It’s a time to face your fears and also being selfish. Now that you are the master of your own time, these are the things you can do.
Also Read: World Tourism Day: 9 Destinations For Your First Solo Trip, Take A Risk Ladies!
1. You Will Meet New People
Travelling solo means that you go out of your way looking for connections. As much as it is fun spending time with yourself, it doesn’t hurt to make friends on the way. And many a time the people you meet on your journeys become your best friends.
2. You Learn To Let Go
On the way, you will realise that sometimes it’s best to leave things behind and move on. Especially when you have to get rid of those packets of chocolates when you don’t want to pay for extra baggage. It’s a metaphor for life.
3. You Will Feel Lighter
Over time you will realise that you don’t need someone by your side. You will realise that all that travelling and exploring has brought you to a place where you don’t need someone’s company to have fun and you’ll feel comfortable in your own company.
4. You Will Learn To Adapt Better
When you travel alone, you will learn how to adapt to your surroundings. What happens when your hotel reservations fall through and you have to settle for a hostel instead? You’ll make your peace with it and trust me, it will be a fun experience.
The Cons Of Travelling Alone
And just as travelling solo can set you free, it also comes with its own setbacks. Especially when you are in a fragile state of mind.
1. It Can Be Scary
Let’s be honest, when you find yourself in a foreign country, it is bound to intimidate you. Add to that the trauma of being fresh out of a relationship, it can be a bit too much for you. And that is never a great thing, especially when you are not in a place where you aren’t comfortable.
2. It Can Lead To Loneliness
Post a breakup, you are still in a phase where you are processing the entire episode and that entails being by yourself. When the feelings start to rise and you are all by yourself in a new place, it might turn nasty. Trust me, you don’t want to be crying alone.
3. You Spend More Time Overthinking
You are bound to spend more of your time thinking about ‘what ifs’ and ‘what could have been’ and miss the point of seeing the beautiful place that you are in. Not only are you doing injustice to yourself but also to your travel destination.
So, we come to the conclusion that travelling solo can be quite liberating but it isn’t a bad idea to travel with your tribe and make a girls trip or boys trip out of it! Because your relationships might not work out but friendships last forever.
