15 years ago a friend ditched me before a long awaited vacation. It was the best thing that could have happened to me. Here is why??

15 years ago, I was devastated. A friend of mine called me to tell me he wouldn’t be going to a vacation we had planned together and I was really looking forward to after having spent 9 months in civil service with no free weekends. I felt like giving up on the trip. But then something inside me told me to go for it. To take a leap of faith and embark on a solo adventure. And I’m so glad I did. That trip changed my life and career in ways I never imagined.

Here are some of the lessons I learned from solo travel and how they helped me grow as a person and a professional.

Solo travel taught me how to be independent, resourceful, and adaptable.

When you travel alone, you have to take care of everything by yourself. You have to plan your trip, book your flights, find your accommodation, and navigate your way around. Sometimes you arrive to a place off beaten track everybody told you was dangerous in the middle of the night without booked accommodation. You also have to deal with unexpected situations, such as flight delays, language barriers, or lost luggage and this is the easy part. And you have to interact with different cultures and people, sometimes without a common language or a guidebook.

All these situations taught me how to be independent, resourceful, and adaptable. I learned how to rely on myself, find creative solutions, and adjust to changing circumstances. For example, once I got lost in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan. Instead of panicking, I took a step back, asked myself what was the worst thing that could happen, and found a solution that was right in front of me. After roaming for hours I spotted a Bedouin SUV in the distance and waved at them. They were very friendly and hospitable, and even invited me for tea.

These skills are essential for career success in any field. They help you to take initiative, solve problems, and cope with change. They also make you more confident and self-reliant. You know you can handle whatever comes your way.

Solo travel taught me how to discover my passions, strengths, and values.

When you travel alone, you have the freedom and flexibility to explore your interests, hobbies, and goals. You don’t wait for your friends to wake up at noon to be able to go out and explore. You can choose where to go, what to do, and how long to stay. You can follow your curiosity, try new things, and challenge yourself. You can also identify your talents, skills, and abilities by doing things you enjoy or are good at.

All these experiences taught me how to discover my passions, strengths, and values. I learned what makes me happy, what I am capable of, and what matters to me. For instance, I discovered my passion for photography by taking pictures of the beautiful places I visited

These insights help you to guide your career choices. They help you to understand what you want and why you want it. They also help you to align your actions with your beliefs, principles, and ethics. You know what drives you and motivates you.

Solo travel taught me how to expand my comfort zone, network, and opportunities.

When you travel alone, you have to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people

and learn new things. You have to face your fears, overcome your insecurities, and embrace uncertainty. You have to make friends, build relationships, and share experiences with strangers. You cannot imagine how much you can bond with someone after spending only a couple of intense and action packed days together. You have to acquire new knowledge, skills, and perspectives by exposing yourself to different cultures, languages, and environments.

All these activities taught me how to expand my comfort zone, network, and opportunities. I learned how to grow as a person and a professional by challenging myself, connecting with others, and learning from them. I made friends with fellow travelers and locals who became my lifelong contacts and supporters. And I learned new skills and insights that helped me advance my career and business.

These benefits help you to boost your career growth. They help you to increase your confidence, connections, and knowledge. They also help you to access more resources, opportunities, and possibilities. You know you can do more than you think.

Solo travel taught me how to achieve personal growth, self-discovery, and fulfillment.

When you travel alone, you have the time and space to reflect on your life, identity, and purpose. You have the opportunity to gain new perspectives, insights, and wisdom by observing yourself and the world around you. You have the chance to find happiness, meaning, and satisfaction by pursuing your passions, expressing your values, and fulfilling your goals.

All these outcomes taught me how to achieve personal growth, self-discovery, and fulfillment. I learned how to become a better version of myself by understanding who I am, what I want, and how I can contribute. You realize that it is not about number of countries you have visited, but people and experiences you encounter along the way.

These achievements help you to enhance your personal development. They help you to live a more authentic and rewarding life. They also help you to make a positive impact on yourself and others. You know who you are and what makes you happy.

Solo travel changed my life and career in ways I never imagined. It made me more independent, resourceful, adaptable and passionate. It also opened my eyes to the beauty and diversity of the world and the people in it.

If you have ever traveled alone, you might relate to some of these lessons. If you haven’t, I encourage you to give it a try. You might be surprised by what you discover about yourself and the world.

What are your thoughts on solo travel? Have you ever done it or would you like to do it? What have you learned from it or what would you like to learn from it? I’d love to hear from you. Please share your comments below or send me a message.

If you enjoyed this article, please like and share it with your network. And if you want to learn more about solo travel and how it can benefit you, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for reading and happy travels!

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