I have decided to be brave. So I went. With a large white Samsonite Cosmolite trolley, weighing at almost half my actual body weight, I walked into Zagreb airport in the early hours on a cold December day and started a journey. An unexpected journey that ended up opening new horizons to how I see life and the world around me. It’s been ages since I last went on a trip completely alone, especially on a trip that lasted longer and took me farther than any of my trips in recent years. I went to Bali, to the other side of the world, for a solid two weeks.

The hardest part of this trip was, of course, deciding to even do this adventure on my own. Mentally conceptualizing the fact, that I really want to do this, was the only true barrier – from then on, I just decided to go with the flow. That’s how it is with most hard decisions in life. Once you’re committed, you need to just dive in and see where they take you. The more you think about it, the more excuses will creep up and try to convince you to just stick with the beaten path.

The beauty of solo traveling really starts to shine once you are a couple of days into the actual trip. But you feel the effects right away. Leaving the known world quickly flips your brain to a completely new thought process.

As soon as the plane left the ground in Zagreb, I knew – and felt – that I was from then on completely on my own. It was only me, myself and I. Left to delve into my thoughts and use this experience to replace my daily routine, shattered between work, worries, stress and the people around me, with a total focus on just myself. At least for a little while.

There is something liberating in that. When all your known routines and problems are left behind. You never truly forget them but you at least realize how insignificant some of them actually are. Even if only because they are just your own, existing specifically in your small world.

Jungle swing – scary but so much fun!

To me, Bali was a pretty obvious choice. For the first solo trip, it felt (and turned out to be) like the optimal destination. It’s far enough so you feel removed from your existing reality. It’s exotic enough, so that it pulls you into a completely new world of smells and colors. And at the same time it’s completely safe, so you can really focus on yourself and your involvement in this unforgettable experience.

Today I can look back on this adventure with a little bit of introspection and at least some objectivity, while also already looking forward to a possible new destination I can conquest solo. I can best emphasize the benefits of traveling alone by answering the most common questions I got when friends around me found out I was planning solitary trip to Bali.

»Won’t you be bored if you’re alone all the time?«

I have found out that when traveling alone, you are actually constantly surrounded by people, who are willing to have a short chat, offer a friendly advice or share their own traveling experience. I also discovered that solo travelers are not that uncommon at all. And as an added bonus – people who surround you on your travels, are always available when and if you need them, but completely understand if you want to just take time for yourself. No one expects anything of you and no one demands anything either. You are a master of your own time and of your own experiences.

»Aren’t you scared going to unknown places alone?«

Oh, this decision was not at all easy. But it became easier and easier to accept it once I have decided in my head that I really want to do this. In the end, it’s not scary at all. Not once you get the ball rolling. You’re pulled into a different, new world, you break the boundaries of your thought pattern and you allow good and positive things to happen.

With it, you discover, that the world isn’t filled with boogie-men and scary things, which in turn boots your confidence, makes you stronger and also so much more relaxed.

»What are you going to do if you’re all alone?«

The answer here was simple: anything I want! Having no one around that required me to adapt my plans or desires, I could fully focus on Bali. Exploring places I really wanted to see, engage in events I wanted to experience. I could change my plans on a whim – I only had to listen to one person: me. I found my own rhythm and really enjoyed every step of the way.

»What will people think if they see a woman traveling alone?«

Actually, as a solo traveler, people see you as a lot more approachable. People came up to me, nicely asked me if I wanted some company and no one was bothered if my answer was ‘no, thank you’. In the end I met a whole lot more people than I probably would if I was traveling with someone I knew. I ended up interacting with random people who have found themselves on the same spot of the world as I was at that moment, which likely wouldn’t happen, if I brought my own social circle of people with me.