Going Solo

As the snow once more pummels the town I live in, and yesterday's clear roads and green lawns are buried beneath inches of that white fluffy stuff, I am sitting here thinking about my next trip that is long overdue.

So many people have commented on me traveling alone, calling me brave but the truth is I'm just selfish.

If you're like me, you often cater to the wants and needs of others, often looking after them and working to ease their stresses. Perhaps, you even take on the stress when people around you are worrying about something. Especially if they sometimes make a bigger deal of something than it need truly be. If that's the case, you may even end up a little annoyed.

Well, when I'm on vacation, I want to BE on vacation. By traveling alone, taking safety precautions of course, I leave behind the need to worry about anyone but myself. I leave behind the habit of working to take away other people's stress.

A weight is lifted as I leave behind the responsibility.

What does that mean?

Well I don't know about you, but I am often stressed in my day to day coming and goings. I worry about missing my bus, if it's a new route, I worry about getting off at the wrong stop, I worry about not being somewhere on time. So many things to do, so little time. So many people relying on me to beat a certain place by a certain time, so much of that time spent accountable to others.

But when I travel, my responsibility is to me alone.

Picture this, you get to a train station only to discover you have missed your train. Bummer, right? Well if you have people with you who are upset about missing the train, worried about getting where they are going by a certain time, or fretting about missing the next train, your vacation becomes more about them and getting them to relax, than about you relaxing. However when you're alone, you can get over it, find out when the next train is, and do what you want to do in between. Not to mention, you don't have to compromise on where the destination of that train ride is going to be!

There is a lot more freedom to be spontaneous when you don't have to worry about what someone else may or may not enjoy. It's glorious.

Now is this sort of traveling for everyone? Absolutely not! Some people need familiarity, someone to share those experiences with, a sense of having a safety net- and that's okay!

Some people prefer resorts, and some prefer a bit more of an exploratory adventure. We all enjoy different things. This just happens to be my preference. Taking my time, enjoying the sites, not worrying about anyone but myself. I know where I want to go, I can figure out the how and when, and I can enjoy the luxury of not having anyone else's doubt or worry sinking into my mind and infecting me.

But hey, that's me! No matter what your preference, all that matters is that you get out there and do your thing.

Cheers!
The Bra Street Rambler

P.S. Noticed there's no Rambler Rave this week? It's your turn! Nominate your suggested Rambler Raves in the comments below! I'll pick something to feature next week!

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