Why go solo?

I often get asked if or why i am travelling alone? To be honest, the question even kind of annoys me meanwhile. Because it makes me feel like there is something wrong with me… But anyways, the question is beautiful answered by an article in The Solo Travel Handbook from Lonely Planet. I read that book in preparation of my trip (not that i would have needed it, lol) and there was this pretty accurate text passage that just contains any aspect of solo travel. For the reason that i never could fully express this in my own words, i want to quote the essential parts in the following:

The practical perks. Solo travel is the ultimate indulgence, because it is all about you. When you’re in charge of your own schedule, you can go where you want and do what you want, when you want and how you want. You’re free to meet new people – which tends to be easier when you’re travelling solo – and really soak up the destination without any distractions. You can travel as fast as you want, or take as much downtime as you like, without having to justify your choices to anyone but yourself.

The personal journey. Solo travel offers the ultimate opportunity for self-reflection and development. At home our friends, families, employers and colleagues all play roles and influencing the way we live our lives. Travelling alone, you can escape these influences and make your own decisions. Without a travel partner to delegate some of those decisions to, your problem-solving ability increases, making you a more independent, more fearless solo traveller in the process. Expect to get to know yourself better, discovering strengths you didn’t know you had, as well as identifying weaknesses you may wish to work on.

Challenging the single stigma. There must be something wrong with you if you travel alone, said no one ever. Yet, somehow, a stigma still persists. Fortunately it’s changing. A raft of recent studies have shown solo travel is on the increase and, as more people begin to embrace it, the image of solo travel is being redefined as a luxury rather than some sort of back-up plan. If you’re living a fabulously independent life at home, there’s no reason why you can’t have a similarly fantastic experience on the road.

So does anyone of you made similar or different experiences in solo travelling? Or whats your opinion in general? As always, comments are very much apprechiated! 🙂