Solo Travel Is a Muscle; Here’s How to Build It.

Travel
Written By Omalicha Something

September 2026

Written by Omalicha

As the days start getting shorter, I can already feel that familiar November slump approaching.

I've learned something about myself over the years: November is usually when the drastic change in weather really starts affecting me. And I've also learned what helps me reset: sunshine, culture, a sense of community, and preferably, somewhere near the sea.

So naturally, I'm starting to think about travelling again.

When I look back at the last couple of years, I'm actually incredibly proud of myself. I spent almost two months living in different parts of Brazil, and before that, travelled through Asia to places I'd dreamed about for years, including Japan and Vietnam.

People often tell me I'm adventurous or brave, and I agree, I am. But I didn't wake up one day comfortable travelling across the world alone. Solo travel is a muscle. You build it.

And somewhere along the way, I realized that travelling alone wasn't just teaching me how to navigate airports, unfamiliar cities or language barriers. It was teaching me about myself.

When you're home, you're rarely truly alone. You're surrounded by familiar people, routines, expectations and environments. Remove all of that, put yourself somewhere completely unfamiliar, and you start discovering what you actually like when nobody else is influencing the experience.

Experiencing different cultures and interacting with different kinds of people has exposed me to qualities, lifestyles and ways of relating that I might never have encountered by staying within the same environment. Some experiences confirmed what I already knew; others introduced me to things I didn't even realize I valued.

Travel didn't give me a checklist for a partner. It gave me a bigger reference point.

And that's probably one of my favourite things about solo travel: your world gets bigger, and sometimes your understanding of yourself gets bigger with it.

So, if solo travelling interests you but jumping on a plane alone feels intimidating, you don't have to start there. Here are three ways I'd recommend building that muscle.

1. Start With Group Travel
For someone completely new to solo travel, organized group travel is one of the easiest places to start. You arrive independently, but the itinerary, activities and logistics are largely handled for you. You're also surrounded by other travelers, which makes it an incredible way to meet people.

And group travel has evolved. There are trips built around age groups, interests, lifestyles, sexuality, adventure, wellness and countless other communities. You can find something that actually feels like you.

Some of the people I've met while travelling have remained in my life long after the trip ended. I've visited people in their countries and several friends have visited me in Canada.

Here are my top-rated travel groups:

2. Try a Short Solo Resort Stay

If organized group travel isn't your thing  or isn't within your budget then try booking a resort by yourself.

You're technically travelling solo, but you still have the security and structure of a resort, with restaurants, activities, entertainment and other people around you. You can explore outside the resort when you're ready, but you don't have to.

For your first time, I'd suggest three to five days, and no more than a week. Resorts can sometimes be very family or couple oriented, and staying too long can actually make you feel more alone.

Think of it as solo travel with training wheels.

3. Travel Somewhere You Know Someone

Another great stepping stone is choosing a city or country where you already have friends or family.

The key, though, is don't spend the entire trip with them.

Maybe spend 60% of your time with people you know and challenge yourself to spend the other 40% exploring independently. Go for breakfast alone. Visit a museum. Navigate public transportation. Take yourself to the beach. Book an activity.

You're giving yourself the comfort of knowing someone is nearby while still learning how it feels to navigate somewhere unfamiliar on your own.

Eventually, that 60/40 split might become 30/70.

And one day, you may realize you don't need the safety net at all.


Solo travel doesn't require you to suddenly become fearless. You just have to start giving yourself opportunities to become more comfortable with yourself.

For me, it has built confidence, introduced me to people around the world, expanded what I believe is possible for my life, and taught me things about myself I don't think I could have learned by staying home.

So start small. Build the muscle.

You might be surprised by the person you meet along the way, including yourself.

Omalicha in Japan

Next up: How do you actually choose your first solo travel destination?

Omalicha Something
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