Solo travel is transformative. After a decade of solo travel, it's interesting to look back and see how solo travel has given me these invaluable life skills that I now use daily, and that have completely changed my life. I'm now a solo travel expert, someone who has travelled alone to 50+ countries, who has lived in multiple countries and faced language barriers and constant challenges. But how has this shaped who I have become – and how will it impact you? If you're considering solo travel, read this article to find out how solo travel could help you realise your full potential and catapult you into the life you dream of living.

A catalyst for driving change – so many will start their solo travel journey because they are craving something new, an escape from the live they are currently living. That could be a job, a relationship, or even a home town. For me, it was all three which crumbled at the same time and left me needing a change. When you throw yourself in at the deep-end and willing to step in the unknown, you are open and ready to absorb what comes your way. Have you heard the phrase "growth mindset"? It sounds a bit corporate but the truth is you open yourself up to growth, allow yourself to be challenged and eventually settle down into a new, evolved version of yourself. Along the way, you'll learn lessons – and that's where these invaluable life skills come from.

11 Invaluable Life Skills Solo Travel Teaches You:

No matter how experienced the traveller, you are learning new skills every single day. 

1. Reading people and trusting your gut

One of the most valuable lessons solo travellers will learn is to reconnect with their instincts and learn to trust their gut. Particularly for women who are trying out solo female travel – we are always taught to ignore our instincts and to instead be polite, kind, gentle. When you're travelling solo, your safety is the top priority and you will come into contact with a lot of people. Not all of them will be good people – so you need to be able to read a situation, read the people you come into contact with and listen to your gut. 

When travelling solo, your ability to read people and make decisions quickly can be a lifesaver. No more feeling unsafe walking by yourself, or getting ripped off by taxi drivers. By recognising these before they become a problem, you take care of your own personal safety without relying on anyone else. If that's not an invaluable life skill for women, I don't know what is.

2. To value yourself and love your own company

Travelling solo doesn't have to mean feeling lonely! When you are comfortable in your own company and genuinely start to enjoy being alone, you will find that loneliness is a thing of the past. Travelling by yourself means setting your own schedule and learning to value yourself and your choices. It can feel overwhelming at first, but making all your own decisions – from where you stay and what you eat, to the people you hang out with and the activities – it will teach you what you really love to prioritise.

If you take an instant dislike to someone in your hostel, you don't have to spend time with them. Want to sleep until noon in your lovely hotel? You can and no-one will complain. If you want to just go to the most Instagrammable locations and skip the museums? That's fine. Realising yours is the only opinion that matters really helps you to value your preferences and your own time. No matter how long the trip, applying this in your daily life becomes a lot easier after a solo trip.

3. Learning true organisation

Travelling solo really taught me a level of organisation like no other. It's exhausting and it's hard work when you're the only one who can take responsibility. You're organising flights, visas, transport, insurance, accommodation, activities - the list goes on. Taking control of all this really gives you a sense of ownership of your trip. You organise the way YOU want to travel and make the best decisions for YOU. It's made me much more aware of procrastination so I can stop myself wasting time and get focused. Now I'm productive when I need to be so I can really relax and enjoy when I want to.

Don't forget to read How to Prepare for First Time Solo Travel

4. Patience & Understanding – for others and for yourself

Travelling solo really made me realise how little control I have over everything around me. You can't control flight delays, overbooked accommodation, or people waking you up in a hostel. I used to let things like this get to me, but I've now realised it really doesn't matter. I'm more patient with people because humans are frustrating and annoying and I can't change that. If you accept that travel will never go as planned and that's half the adventure, you'll be a lot happier. The more forgiving you are of others, the kinder you become to yourself.

5. Body Confidence & Self Confidence

I've written before about how travelling solo gives you confidence - but I'll never get tired of saying it. I'm never more body confident than when I live in a bikini and stop caring what people think. I'm never more confident and self-assured than when I know what I'm capable of in organising an amazing trip. When I know I can stay strong and calm in the face of a crisis. Basically I'm never more confident than when I'm using all of the skills in this list.

Don't forget to read How travelling solo gives you the confidence you never knew you had

6. The Art of Packing

If you're travelling long-term you'll quickly learn the value of packing smart. You can cram so much more into a front-loading bag and it will save you later on when you need something from the bottom. If you're just travelling short term and only have hand-luggage available, you have to use space effectively. While I've learned the best ways to pack a lot into a small space over the last few years. I also have a more realistic view of what I actually need versus what I want to take. I just pack essentials rather than getting swept up in what I might need but never actually use.

> Shop my travel essentials

7. Budgeting and finding a bargain

I've learned some amazing skills over the years to make my money stretch further on travel and to find the best travel hacks and tricks for saving money on trips. I'm all about cutting corners where I can and prioritising what's important to me – experiences over private jets and luxury villas. I've created lots of money-saving guides for travel, but here's some of my best ones for travel hacks and tips:

8. How to be a good friend no matter what the distance

Long distance friendships are hard, there's no doubt about it. It's horrible to miss out on big moments in friends' lives and tough when you miss the people who mean the most to you. But travel and distance are also the best test for friendships. You really have to make the effort and to put the time into making each other feel loved from a distance. You also need to accept that your friends and family can't always drop everything for you. Just like you can't for them, it can be a big adjustment. But you soon learn who your real friends are, and which ones you really want in your life.

9. Physical and mental strength

If you're backpacking solo, you'll quickly pick up some strength from carrying your bags everywhere. Living that outdoor life, you'll be fit in a way you've never needed to be before. Backpacking is a physical challenge, but I'm also talking about inner strength. Being able to mentally pick yourself up after a bad day. Picking up all the slack and coping when you feel lonely.

10. How to look after yourself

I always thought I was really good at taking care of me. Until I went travelling and realised I have a habit of letting myself reach exhaustion point. I would always try to see everything and do everything, even if it meant I had no time to just sleep. Travelling solo long-term helped me to recognise when I'm exhausted, or when I need to eat and I'm getting grouchy. Or when I just need to get away from people for a bit – I can be a bit of an introvert! You have to put your own needs first because no-one else will.

11. Finding a friend wherever you go

Travelling solo, whether for the weekend or for a year, means being alone. That's great if you love your own company, but sometimes we just crave people. You really have to step out of your comfort zone if you want to hang out and make new friends. It's not a big deal to make the first move, to invite someone for a drink or to take photos for other people but it can be super intimidating at first. You may have spent your life being warned that the world is a place to be feared or treated with caution. But travelling solo reverses all of that. It teaches you that a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet.