Stop Waiting for Someone to Go With You

Stop Waiting for Someone to Go With You

“I can’t go by myself.”

It’s a phrase I’ve heard countless times over the years.

Sometimes it’s about a movie.

Sometimes it’s about a restaurant.

Sometimes it’s about a concert, a sporting event, or a vacation.

The reason always seems to be the same: they’re waiting for someone else.

Waiting for schedules to align.

Waiting for a friend to commit.

Waiting for a partner to be interested.

Waiting for the perfect time.

At some point, I stopped waiting.

And it changed my life.

Solo Travel Wasn’t Always Easy

Despite what people may think, I wasn’t always comfortable doing things alone.

When I first started traveling solo, there was a lot of uncertainty.

Where should I go?

What should I do?

Am I doing enough?

Am I missing out on something?

When you’re used to experiencing life with other people, suddenly being responsible for every decision can feel overwhelming.

But something interesting happened.

The more I did things alone, the more comfortable I became.

Not because I had all the answers.

But because I learned that I didn’t need them.

Start Smaller Than a Plane Ticket

When people hear the words solo travel, they often picture someone boarding a plane and flying to another country alone.

But solo travel doesn’t start at the airport.

It starts much closer to home.

It starts with going to brunch by yourself.

Going to the movies by yourself.

Visiting a museum by yourself.

Taking a walk through a park.

Going to a baseball game.

Trying a new restaurant.

The confidence to take bigger trips comes from those smaller experiences.

Every time you do something alone, you learn a little more about yourself.

And with every experience, the fear starts to disappear.

Learning to Sit With Yourself

One of the biggest lessons solo travel taught me has nothing to do with travel at all.

It taught me how to sit with myself.

When you’re with other people, it’s easy to let them influence your decisions.

“What are you getting?”

“That sounds good.”

“I’ll have the same thing.”

We’ve all done it.

But when you’re by yourself, every decision belongs to you.

What restaurant do you want to try?

What drink sounds good?

Do you want an appetizer?

Do you want dessert?

Do you want to stay another hour or leave right now?

There is no committee.

There is no vote.

There is only you.

And over time, you begin to learn what you genuinely enjoy instead of what everyone else enjoys.

The Freedom of Choosing for Yourself

This is probably my favorite part of solo travel.

I choose the destination.

I choose the flight.

I choose the Airbnb.

I choose the brunch spot.

I choose the restaurant for dinner.

I choose the activities.

I choose the pace.

Some days I want to see everything.

Other days I want to sit by a pool, enjoy a cocktail, and do absolutely nothing.

Both are valid.

The beauty of solo travel is that I get to decide.

There are no negotiations.

There are no scheduling conflicts.

There is no waiting for someone else to be ready.

Stop Outsourcing Your Happiness

This may be the most important lesson I’ve learned.

Too many people postpone experiences because someone else isn’t available.

They want to take the trip.

They want to see the concert.

They want to go to the game.

They want to try the restaurant.

But they’re waiting for someone to join them.

The problem is that life doesn’t stop while we’re waiting.

Weeks become months.

Months become years.

And before you know it, the thing you wanted to do is still sitting on your list.

I’ve learned that just because someone else isn’t ready doesn’t mean I have to put my life on hold.

If I want to see the movie, I go see the movie.

If I want to try the restaurant, I make the reservation.

If I want to take the trip, I book the flight.

It’s really that simple.

My Favorite Way to Travel

If you’ve followed my journey for any amount of time, you already know a few things about me.

I love a good brunch.

I love beautiful restaurants.

I love great food and well-made cocktails.

I love observation decks, botanical gardens, waterfalls, beaches, scenic views, and places that allow me to recharge.

Some people travel to check items off a list.

I travel to experience a place.

To slow down.

To explore.

To discover something new.

Sometimes that means having a detailed plan.

Sometimes it means wandering through a city with no agenda at all.

Some of my favorite travel memories happened because I simply allowed myself to explore.

Solo Doesn’t Mean Lonely

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about solo travel.

People often assume that traveling alone means being isolated.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I’ve met incredible people while traveling.

I’ve shared conversations with strangers.

I’ve connected with fellow travelers.

I’ve sat down at a restaurant alone and left having met someone interesting.

The difference is that I don’t need someone else’s presence to enjoy the experience.

I can enjoy it either way.

That’s freedom.

The Biggest Lesson Solo Travel Taught Me

The greatest thing solo travel has given me isn’t confidence.

It isn’t independence.

It isn’t even the trips themselves.

It’s trust.

Trust in myself.

Trust in my decisions.

Trust in my ability to figure things out.

Trust that I’ll be okay.

Because once you realize you’re capable of navigating a new city, dining alone, booking your own trips, and creating your own experiences, something changes.

You stop looking for permission.

You stop waiting for approval.

You stop waiting for someone else to be ready.

And you start living.

If You’re Waiting, This Is Your Sign

If there’s something you’ve been wanting to do, consider this your sign.

Start small.

Go to brunch.

See the movie.

Visit the museum.

Take the day trip.

Book the flight.

The world is still out there.

The opportunities are still there.

Your life is happening right now.

You don’t have to wait for someone else’s schedule, availability, or approval to start enjoying it.

Sometimes all that’s missing is the decision to go.

And once you do, you may discover what I did:

Being alone and being lonely are not the same thing.

Some of the best experiences of your life might be waiting on the other side of a table for one, a boarding pass, or a decision you’ve been putting off for far too long.