I split my time between Toronto and the Los Angeles area for work and already travel fairly often alone. Last year, I took my first non-work solo trip to Mexico City for five days with no fixed plans, and I ended up loving the experience.
I went again a few months later and enjoyed it even more. I could eat when I wanted, explore at my own pace, change plans freely, and spend as much time as I liked in different places without needing to coordinate with anyone else.
What surprised me most was that I actually talked to more people while traveling alone than I usually do in groups. Being solo made me more open to conversations, including a long and unexpected chat with a local at a mezcal bar.
However, after recently traveling with close friends, I noticed I kept comparing it to solo travel and wishing I was on my own, not because they were bad travel companions, but because the independence felt easier. I also felt guilty for thinking that.
Now I’m wondering if others experience this shift where solo travel starts to feel more natural than group travel, and whether it’s possible to balance both without feeling conflicted. I also suspect there may be a gender dynamic involved, since group trips often involve a lot of coordination and decision-making that can feel tiring.
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