Alone, Not Lonely: Solo Travel Through the Eyes of an Ambivert

If you’ve been following me for a while, then you already know I travel alone.

What surprises a lot of people is that I actually enjoy it.

Not only do I travel alone, but I also dine alone, attend events alone, and regularly explore new cities by myself.

One thing I’ve noticed is that people often assume solo travelers are extroverts.

While no one has ever directly asked me whether I’m an introvert or an extrovert, my personality type has definitely come into question.

The truth is, I think I’m somewhere in the middle.

I enjoy meeting people. I enjoy having conversations. I enjoy connecting with people from different places and backgrounds.

But I also enjoy my peace.

I enjoy my freedom.

And I genuinely enjoy doing things on my own.

Over the years, I’ve learned that you don’t have to be an extrovert to enjoy the world. You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room. And you definitely don’t need a travel buddy to experience new places.

Sometimes all you need is the willingness to go.

People Always Assume I'm an Extrovert

One thing I’ve noticed is that people often assume solo travelers are extroverts.

The assumption seems to be that if you’re comfortable traveling alone, you must be outgoing all the time.

That’s not really me.

Don’t get me wrong, I like people. I enjoy meeting people. Some of my favorite travel memories include conversations with tour guides, other travelers, and even people I’ve met while dining alone.

But I don’t need the constant interaction.

I don't need to be around people every minute of the day.

I can spend an afternoon chatting with new people and then spend the next hour walking through a market, exploring a city, or simply taking in the scenery all by myself.

I'm comfortable with both.

That's why I think ambivert is probably the best way to describe me.

I enjoy people, but I don't depend on them to enjoy my experiences.

Why Solo Travel Works for Me

People always tell me they could never travel by themselves.

When I ask why, the answers are always the same.

“I wouldn’t know what to do.”

“I’d be scared.”

“I’d get lonely.”

“I wouldn’t know where to go or where to start.”

And I get it.

The idea of it all can seem intimidating until you actually do it.

For me, one of the best parts of solo travel is the freedom.

If I want to take an excursion, I’ll take it.

If I want to visit a museum, I’ll visit one.

If I want to spend two hours wandering through a local market, I can do that, too!

There’s no group text trying to decide where everyone wants to eat.

There’s no debate about the itinerary.

There’s no waiting for everyone to get ready.

Honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts.

Most of my trips are actually pretty full. My excursions start early in the morning and last most of the day, so I’m usually out exploring, sightseeing, or trying something new.

The funny thing is that some of my favorite solo moments are the ones I never planned.

Maybe I have a few minutes to walk around a marketplace.

Maybe I find a quiet spot to sit and take in the view.

Maybe I’ll just pause for a moment and simply enjoy where I am.

I don’t go looking for those moments.

They usually find me.

Who Takes My Pictures?

This might be one of the questions I get asked the most.

"Who takes your pictures when you travel alone?"

The answer depends.

Sometimes it's a tour guide.

Sometimes it’s another traveler, and if that’s the case, we’ll usually take each other’s pictures.

Sometimes it's my tripod, selfie stick, or remote shutter.

And sometimes, I’ll just hire a photographer.

I actually got that idea from another travel blogger.

People were always asking her how she got such amazing pictures while traveling solo, and she shared that she would hire local photographers during her trips.

And, of course, I thought that was such a smart idea.

The photographer is usually a local, so they know the area and often know some great places for photos that visitors might not find on their own.

Depending on who you book, it might cost somewhere around $60 to $125, give or take. I’ve found my photographers on either Airbnb experiences or TripAdvisor.

They'll take plenty of pictures, and many photographers will edit some of them for you as well.

What I love most is that I get to enjoy the experience instead of worrying about setting up my tripod every five minutes.

Just because you're traveling solo doesn't mean you have to do everything by yourself.

Sometimes it's about finding solutions that make the experience easier.

Solo Dining Isn't Lonely

Let’s talk about solo dining for a minute.

Because this is another thing people seem to have strong opinions about.

One of the biggest assumptions is that dining alone must be lonely.

Honestly, that’s never been my experience.

When I decide to go out to eat by myself, it’s because that’s what I want to do.

I’ve picked the restaurant, looked at the menu, and made plans to be there.

By the time I sit down, I’m not thinking about the fact that I’m alone. I’m thinking about what I’m going to order.

The only time I might think twice is if a place is heavily geared toward large groups.

Even then, it’s usually less about being alone and more about whether the environment matches the experience I’m looking for.

If I’m at a sports bar, I’ll usually sit at the bar instead of taking up space at a large table.

I can watch the game, enjoy the atmosphere, chat if I feel like it, and still enjoy the experience on my own terms.

For me, solo dining isn’t about avoiding people.

It’s simply about enjoying a meal without needing a dining companion.

Being alone and being lonely are not the same thing.

My Social Battery Is Real

Now, just because I enjoy people doesn't mean I want to be around them all day.

Sometimes my social battery shuts down.

That's the best way I know how to describe it.

After a full day of excursions, conversations, sightseeing, and being on the go, there are times when I'm ready to retreat back to my hotel room or Airbnb and just enjoy some peace and quiet.

It doesn't mean I didn't have a good time.

It doesn't mean I don't like people.

It just means I've reached my limit for the day.

And honestly, I think that's one of the reasons solo travel works so well for me.

I can enjoy the people when I want to.

And I can enjoy the peace when I need to.

The two don't cancel each other out.

The Biggest Thing People Get Wrong

If there's one thing I've learned from traveling and dining alone, it's this:

People often confuse being alone with being lonely.

They're not the same thing.

I don't travel alone because I have to.

I travel alone because I want to.

I don't dine alone because I don't have anyone to call.

I dine alone because I'm not willing to miss out on a great restaurant waiting for someone else's schedule to line up with mine.

Life is happening right now.

The places I want to see are open right now.

The experiences I want to have are available right now.

And I'm not willing to put my life on hold waiting for the perfect travel partner, the perfect dining companion, or the perfect opportunity.

If someone joins me along the way, great.

But I'm not waiting for permission to enjoy my life.

Final Thoughts

Solo travel has taught me a lot.

Not just about different cities and countries, but about myself.

It's taught me confidence.

It's taught me independence.

It's taught me that I can figure things out.

And it's taught me that some of the best experiences happen when you stop waiting and simply go.

Whether you're an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between, like myself, don't let the fear of doing things alone stop you from experiencing life.

You might be surprised by how much you enjoy your own company.