When I was 17, I moved from India to the United States for college.
The experience shaped my independence, teaching me how to start conversations, solve problems, and feel confident.
Years later, when I took my first solo trip to the Himalayas in northern India, I was able to put these skills to use again. I made friends, stayed with locals, and tried tons of new experiences — from paragliding to visiting a monastery.
The trip changed my life so much that I continued traveling by myself throughout my 20s, embracing the self-discovery and independence that can come with solo adventures.
I thought I’d always want to travel this way. But, recently, during my first solo trip in my 30s, I felt so unfulfilled that I wanted to go home early.
Turns out, my perspective on solo travel had changed a lot more than I realized.
Now that I’m older, my priorities and preferences have changed
In my 20s, I was chasing wanderlust on a budget.
I’d stay in hostels to save money and meet new people. Often, it felt easy to connect with other solo travelers of similar ages, and we’d continue the rest of our trips together.
However, this time, as a 30-year-old visiting Vietnam, my priorities had shifted. I had more money to spend, and I cared more about better views, amenities, and comfort.
Although I enjoy alone time and can eat meals or read a book by myself, it felt boring to do so for so many days — I missed easily connecting with other travelers the way I used to in hostels, even though I relished being able to afford a private room.
I also missed my husband. This was my first solo trip as a wife, and I wanted to share all of my experiences with him. Though we were high-school sweethearts, we didn’t get much of a chance to travel together before getting married at 28.
We’re both young, adventurous, and busy with our careers — this trip could’ve been a rare opportunity for us to experience the world together.
Instead, each breathtaking view and delicious meal just made me wish I had someone to share it with.
Travel means something different to me now
When I was in my 20s, I loved that solo travel was synonymous with problem-solving, navigating unfamiliar environments, and reflecting among beautiful surroundings.
I remember being stranded in a small town in northern India after my phone had died, and it started raining. I had to figure out how to communicate with locals and stay calm to get back to my hotel.
Learning to stay composed when things don’t go as planned has served me well in my 30s, as I’ve navigated uncertainty in both my work and life.
But although these lessons and skills still matter deeply to me — probably even more as I age — I don’t need to create opportunities to experience them.
Whether it’s managing finances, navigating social situations, or dealing with work stress, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to reflect, solve problems, and learn adaptability.
When I think of travel now, it’s more of a vessel to create memories and enjoy quality time with loved ones.
I might still take a solo trip in the future, but it’s not my top priority. Now that I’m older, I’ve realized traveling alone isn’t the only way for me to find myself — and that sometimes the best experiences are shared.
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