Solocation Meaning – And Why You Need One!

Traveling in itself is an act of confidence, and doing it alone makes it extraordinary. Although traveling with friends and family gives you a chance to bond with them, going on a solo vacation isn’t any less enriching. If you ask many veteran travelers, they will recount endless discoveries they made while traveling alone. 

And since more and more people have been embracing the idea of traveling alone, it now has a name: solocation.

What is a Solocation?

We’re looking at the solocation meaning, and why a solo trip like this can be so rewarding in so many ways. As a bonus, we’ve shared a few tips on how you can make your solocation the best trip of your life.

More Focus on the Destination

While traveling as a group, you can easily lean more towards interacting with them than absorbing your surroundings. On the contrary, a solocation gives you a chance to immerse fully in your destination. Consequently, you are more likely to end up with more vivid memories from your solo trip.

Complete Control Of Your Trip

Planning a solocation means you are in charge of everything. You pick the dates that work best for you. And most importantly, you have complete financial control. If you choose to spend your money on a waterfront room, you don’t have to ask for anyone’s opinion. If you’d like only to visit free attractions, it’s your choice. 

Besides, you can change plans as many times as you please. If you feel like visiting a neighboring town, you do precisely that, and your decision hurts nobody. In a nutshell, a solocation allows you to be selfish – make the rules and set the tone.

A Confidence Boost

Even the sheer decision to travel alone is brave. But the actual experience also goes a long way in boosting your confidence. Remember, you don’t have friends or family to act as a social safety net. You’ll need to get things on your own. For instance, when you need to buy food, you have to interact with the locals. 

On a train ride, you have no friends to distract you–so striking a conversation with a stranger is inevitable. By all means, you have to step out of your comfort zone. Similarly, should a challenge arise, you only have yourself to think of a solution.

Self-Discovery

Room for self-discovery is arguably the most important reason for solo travel. When you are traveling as a group, you will most likely have a shared experience. You have to pick activities that everyone enjoys. But spending time on your own takes the shared experience away–you can slow down and be yourself. 

Since there is no one else giving their opinion, your choices are indeed yours. You start noticing what appeals to you and what doesn’t. And you don’t need to stick to the ordinary–you can experiment with new things. Who knows? You might unlock a new side of you that you had no idea existed.

Disconnect from the Chaos

A solocation is the perfect opportunity to take a step back and disconnect from work and life. Since it’s just you, you can reflect on your habits without judgment and align your priorities. While at it, you can catch up on your favorite shows and podcasts, read, plan your next trip, and so much more. That can help, especially if you’ve been feeling stuck or in some block lately.

Besides, exploring new places can reveal inspiration – especially if you are creative. If you had creative projects on hold, a solocation would be the perfect opportunity to channel creativity into success. Have you been yearning to improve your photography skills? Bring your camera and take pictures. Or bring your guitar and perform to strangers.

Tips for a Perfect Solocation

Going on a solocation is so rewarding–yet it can be scary. But that should not stop you–with proper planning, it can be exciting and easy. Here are a few tips.

Pick a Convenient Destination

Planning a solocation can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. The best place to start would be booking somewhere convenient. It would be best to book somewhere you can easily access various attractions. 

Ensure that you feel comfortable and safe in your destination. It would also be best to pick a location where you speak the local language. Choosing a popular travel destination also increases your chances of meeting like-minded people.

Thorough Research

Before packing your bags, it’s essential to find out as much as you can about your destination and the trip in general. It’s easier when you have an idea of what to expect. Luckily, information is easy to come by in the digital era.

You can look for blogs, articles, and posts on social media for information. Some of the information you should be on the lookout for include travel document requirements, travel safety tips for your destination, what to do when you arrive, how to get to and from the airport, and how to find other travelers or digital nomad communities to connect with when you’re there.

Technology is your Friend

Solocations are all about self-reliance and using resources at your disposal. That includes making good use of technology – and there are so many apps out there. If you want to get around the place, you can use Google Maps to navigate. Trying to order breakfast but struggling with the local language? Turn to Google Translate. Using these tools saves you time and stress, making your trip easier.

Set Intentions

Although solocations are perfect for spontaneous plans, goals are essential. You can set expectations on what you want to earn out of the trip, how you want to feel, and places you want to visit. With these intentions, your trip gains a sense of direction. And consequently, your trip will be more fulfilling. 

However, it’s essential to keep an open mind when going on a solocation. While doing your best to plan everything out, you can predict every scenario. Leave some room for the unexpected, and stay positive through it all.

Parting Thoughts – Solocation Meaning

What is a solocation? A solocation is centered around you, which means you can (and should) do what makes you happy at the end of the day. It doesn’t have to look like what your favorite travel blogger posted, or anyone else’s, it’s about taking some much needed alone time and creating your dream solo vacation.