"When my boyfriend and I first met in Portugal, we were both traveling alone. He had just switched to a remote job so he could explore new places, and I was a year into a 10-country solo trip. From the beginning of our relationship, I knew I didn't want to give up traveling by myself just because I was dating someone. I'd grown up exploring the world, and felt a rush of freedom and independence every time I got on a plane alone."
"At first, solo traveling while in a relationship was an adjustment. A few months into being together, I found myself restless and lonely while on a trip to Morocco. However, I realized that traveling solo is like a muscle: If you don't use it, it weakens. To be happy in my relationship, I needed to rebuild that comfort with my own company."
"So, I made sure to keep solo travel as a regular part of my life. These trips are a reset button, and I intentionally try to schedule them in new environments where I can learn more about myself. In January, for example, I spent two weeks in Belgium finishing exams for my second master's degree. Having that time alone allowed me to focus, knowing my boyfriend was cheering me on from afar."
The couple met while traveling separately in Portugal; one partner shifted to remote work and the other was mid-way through a multi-country solo trip. Solo travel remains a deliberate practice because time apart feels healthy and necessary. Solo trips serve as a reset and an opportunity to practice independence, focus on goals, and reconnect with friends and family. Solo travel can feel difficult at first and can cause loneliness, but treating solo travel like a muscle helps rebuild comfort with one’s own company and supports a stronger relationship.
Read at Business Insider
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