Woman shares bittersweet reality of traveling alone

A video capturing the nuanced emotions of solo travel has resonated with many viewers on TikTok.

Posted by Madison Paige (@madz.weis), the viral clip has amassed over 452,000 views since it was shared on September 3. The footage highlights the beauty and solitude of the Batu Caves, a limestone cave complex located just outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and sheds light on the bittersweet intricacies of traveling alone.

In the video, Paige is seen standing in the magnificent Batu Caves, gazing up and admiring the stunning surroundings. A poignant note across the video reads: “Traveling alone is cool but I’ve been here for 30 seconds and I just wish I could look at someone and say ‘wow isn’t this cool’ but instead I just say it to myself and then leave.”

The post’s caption adds: “That or I call my parents.”

Motivations for solo travel can be broadly categorized as “solo by circumstances” and “solo by choice,” according to an October 2020 study in Current Issues in Tourism.

The study found that “transformative experience, freedom and flexibility” are key motivators for solo travelers, while “anticipated self-discovery and freedom” inspire potential solo travelers. Safety, cost and social constraints were found to be “the top three inhibitors impeding or constricting solo travel participation and experience.”

‘Running From the Feelings of Loneliness’

Sharing insights into the emotional dynamics of solo travel, Dakari Quimby, a clinical psychologist for the HelpGuide Handbook, told Newsweek: “Traveling alone can be an emotional time, and it is not uncommon to feel both happy and sad while doing so. The feeling of experiencing something exciting alone might make you feel down because there’s no one on hand to share the immediate joy.”

However, he emphasized that this doesn’t diminish the overall travel experience, noting that it enhances the emotional range solo travelers might feel.

Aine Rock, an intuitive life coach in West Hollywood, California, commended the bravery involved in solo travel. She told Newsweek: “Traveling alone is such a beautiful and brave thing to do. So much of our culture says we are supposed to be partnered up to be complete, and while it’s in our DNA as humans to be in connection with others, we can still enjoy moments for ourselves.

“The desire to share an experience is partly why we feel the need to create content constantly and share about every place we go,” Rock continued. “And while there is nothing wrong with it, we are feeding a culture of running from the feelings of loneliness that are also an important part of being an adult.”

Sophia Trevenna, a transformational life coach at Level Up Intuitive Coaching in Los Angeles, emphasized the importance of internal reflection during such solitary moments.

She told Newsweek: “When a moment feels empty and lonely, I encourage people not to run from that feeling. Stay still and be with it to give that loneliness a voice. Hear its story of victimhood and then release it. Really try to engage your mind, emotions and heart in the moment and take it all in for you. Then, when someone is by your side in the future, you can share the beauty of the moment rather than be dependent on them for it.”

Quimby also suggests reaching out to friends or engaging with fellow travelers and locals.

“Engaging with communities, both online and in person, can also take away these lonely feelings,” he said. “They can also journal to document their perspective and encourage self-reflection on what they witnessed during the day. Embracing both the highs and lows of solo travel can teach you a variety of things by creating moments of personal growth and self-discovery.”

‘Bittersweet’

The moment of solitary reflection in the viral clip struck a chord with many on TikTok who have experienced the mixed emotions associated with solo travel.

User Cait said: “Ugh it’s bittersweet,” and @aspxana said, “THISSS!!! Finally someone says it. I love doing things alone, but I wish I had someone to say things to WHILE enjoying that alone time.”

Owls22 wrote: “This is why I don’t like traveling alone. Idk how people like it. I need someone to share the moment with!”

User woodpecker agreed, saying, “I feel the same way. It makes me wonder why it isn’t enough for me to just say it to myself, and why does it feel so good to tell someone. It just does.”

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. The video has not been independently verified.

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