A Gift to Myself: Solo Travelling at 25

I turned 25 this May.

It still feels surreal because I never realized how quickly time could pass. Reaching 25 felt like a milestone I wanted to celebrate in a way that I would remember for the rest of my life.

Ever since my ACL surgery last year, I had been planning to do something meaningful for this birthday. That's when I decided to take my first international solo trip.

Why I Decided to Travel Alone

There were several reasons why I chose to travel alone:

1. My health. Over the past few years, I've gone through two surgeries—one major ACL surgery that left me on bed rest for six months—and I've also been dealing with cervical issues and other health problems.

2. A wake-up call. Looking at my health reports was overwhelming. I couldn't stop crying, and that moment made me realize I couldn't keep postponing the things I wanted to experience. It pushed me to finally start travelling.

3. Time isn't waiting. My health may get worse with time, but my youth won't come back. If there was ever a time to explore the world, it was now.

4. Learning to stand on my own. Being the youngest in the family, I've rarely had the chance to make big decisions independently. This solo trip was my way of proving to myself that I could take care of myself, make my own decisions, and be responsible.

5. Freedom. More than anything, I wanted to experience the freedom that comes with travelling alone.

Planning the Trip (or Not Planning At All)

I literally had one plan—to have no plan at all.

The only thing I had booked was my hostel for the first three days. Apart from that, I had no itinerary. I didn't know where I would go, what places I would visit, or where I would eat. I only had four places in mind:

1. Canggu – for the party scene, digital nomad culture, and fitness.
2. Uluwatu – for the cliffs and the Uluwatu Temple Kecak dance.
3. Gili T – someone recommended it for scuba diving and other water activities.
4. Ubud – for its cultural significance and nature.

Looking back, this turned out to be one of the best decisions I made.

Almost everything happened spontaneously. I partied at different clubs, went to a boat party, visited a premium beach club, explored some incredible beaches and cliffs, met amazing people from different countries, trekked Mount Batur, rode an ATV, went scuba diving, and experienced so many things I had never imagined doing.

If there's one thing I'd recommend to anyone planning a trip like this, it's this: have one plan—to have no plan at all.

The First Day: Excited, Terrified, and Everything In Between

At the beginning, I was genuinely scared. Fourteen days in a new country, completely alone, with no real plan—what was I going to do?

I even thought about cutting my trip short from 14 days to 10. I was so close to rescheduling my flight. I kept thinking that I had spent too much money and wondering if I would even enjoy travelling alone. Being an introvert, I had no idea how I would start conversations or meet new people.

Then there were the typical Indian fears. Log kya kahenge? If I posted pictures on social media, what would people think? What if people got jealous? What if I got nazar?

I also have a history of getting scammed whenever I visit a new place. I kept thinking, What if someone steals all my belongings?

With all these fears running through my mind, I decided to take a leap of faith and go anyway.

What Solo Travel Actually Feels Like

Solo travel is a mix of so many emotions. You get to know yourself better, but you also get to meet people who, for a brief moment, feel like long-lost friends. You spend a few hours or days together, create memories, and then move on.

Meeting fellow Indians in a foreign country feels different too. It feels a little like home. Speaking your own language and expressing yourself without thinking twice brings a sense of comfort that's hard to explain.

But that's also the beauty of travelling—everything is temporary. People come and go, and every goodbye becomes a part of the journey.

One of the biggest things I learned was how much time you spend with yourself. You start understanding who you are, what you enjoy, how you break the ice with complete strangers, and how you connect with people from entirely different cultures.

The Loneliness No One Talks About

Solo travel isn't just about freedom and adventure. There are moments of loneliness too.

Every time you move to a new place, you leave behind the connections you just made. You realize how temporary everything is. It's a bittersweet feeling, but it's also a great life lesson. Not every meaningful connection is meant to last forever.

After a while, I also got tired of meeting new people and introducing myself over and over again. The same questions, the same stories—it started to feel repetitive.

At some point, I wasn't looking to meet more people. I was looking for a genuine connection—someone with whom I could skip the small talk and have deeper, more meaningful conversations. At least, that was my experience.

Cultural Shock

One of the biggest takeaways from this trip was the cultural shock.

I met 19- and 20-year-olds from Europe who had been travelling continuously for 9–10 months. That made me question a lot of things.

I kept wondering:

• Don't they feel the pressure to earn as early as possible?
• Don't they feel the need to constantly prove themselves?
• Aren't they worried about climbing the career ladder?
• Do they not care about social status or what others think?

Many of them were completely comfortable taking up temporary jobs working in cafés, stores, hostels, or doing other odd jobs—just so they could keep travelling. They seemed more focused on collecting experiences than chasing titles.

I also noticed that many of them didn't seem to carry the same pressure around marriage, social expectations, or constantly comparing themselves with others. They were simply living life at their own pace.

Coming from India, this was a huge contrast for me. I realized how much of our lives can revolve around work, money, social status, and what other people think. We often postpone experiences, neglect our health, and keep waiting for the "right time" to live.

Indonesia surprised me as well. Even though it's not considered a richer country than India, I found many places to be clean, well-maintained, and welcoming. The people were friendly, and there was a sense of calm that I hadn't expected.

This trip also made me reflect on life back home. We pay high taxes, yet many of us still deal with overcrowded cities, poor infrastructure, safety concerns, and constant social judgment. That contrast made me realize that, in the long run, I want to build a life outside India.

The biggest lesson I took away wasn't that one country is better than another. It was realizing what freedom can look like. I met people who weren't trying to impress anyone, compete with everyone around them, or live according to someone else's timeline. They were simply choosing the life they wanted—and that, to me, felt like real freedom.

The biggest lesson I took away was this:

Freedom isn't just about being able to travel. It's about living without constantly trying to prove yourself, compare yourself to others, or live according to someone else's timeline.

The Freedom No One Can Fully Explain

One of the best parts of solo travel is the freedom. It's difficult to explain until you experience it yourself.

You don't have to ask anyone where they want to go or what they want to do. If you want to spend the entire day relaxing, you can. If you want to party all night, you can. You eat wherever you want, stay as long as you like, and change your plans whenever you feel like it.

I had planned to stay in Canggu for three days, but I ended up staying for five. In Gili T, I had booked just two days, but I stayed for four. There was no itinerary forcing me to move on—I simply stayed wherever I was enjoying myself.

I think the biggest takeaway from this trip was realizing that I have free will. I don't have to live life according to a fixed plan or someone else's expectations. I can choose my own path, make my own decisions, and simply enjoy being alive.

People I Met Along the Way

One of the best parts of this trip was the people I met.

I met travelers from Australia, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, South Korea, and many other countries. Most of them were young Europeans who had just finished high school and were taking a gap year to travel the world.

What surprised me the most was how openly they talked about their work. There was no shame or hesitation in doing whatever helped them fund their travels.

Some of the people I met had worked as:

• Mine workers
• Uber Eats delivery drivers
• Restaurant waiters
• School teachers
• Nurses
• Pet caretakers

One of the most interesting people I met was a professional tennis racket stringing expert. Until then, I didn't even know that such a career existed.

This trip made me realize that there are countless ways to make a living. People weren't defined by their job titles—they simply did what they enjoyed or what helped them continue exploring the world.

Moments That Stayed With Me

Gili T was undoubtedly the highlight of my trip. The island is so small that you can easily cover it in about an hour, but despite its size, it has everything—party vibes, family-friendly spots, adventure activities, and a very relaxed atmosphere.

The memory that's going to stay with me the most is riding a scooter late at night. There's something magical about riding alone on a small remote island, thousands of kilometers away from home, where nobody knows you. It was one of the most freeing feelings I've ever experienced.

Another thing I loved about Gili T was how lively it felt. You could stop at almost any place, walk into a pub, and start dancing. The entire island felt so vibrant and full of life.

And of course, I can't forget the horse cart rides. Since there are no cars on the island, horse carts are everywhere. The sound of the horses' hooves and the jingling bells became a part of the island's identity for me. Even now, I can still hear that sound in my head.

Scuba diving is another experience that will stay with me forever. I spent around 35 minutes underwater at a depth of 10–12 meters, and it felt like stepping onto a completely different planet. Watching colorful fish, turtles, and other marine life peacefully going about their day while I floated among them was surreal. It felt incredibly peaceful and healing.

After the dive, I just sat at a beach shack for a while, trying to absorb everything I had just witnessed. Some experiences are difficult to put into words, and this was definitely one of them.

What I Learned About Myself (Takeaways)

This trip wasn't just about exploring Bali—it was also about discovering parts of myself that I hadn't paid attention to before.

• I genuinely enjoy my own company. Whether it's travelling, trying a new activity, or eating alone, I'm completely comfortable with it.
• I realized I've been living a very stressed life—constantly thinking about my career, money, and comparing myself with others. I need to slow down, relax, and stop being so hard on myself.
• It reminded me that I'm alive, and I have the freedom to choose how I want to live my life.
• I discovered that I genuinely love trying new things and stepping outside my comfort zone.
• Living away from traffic, pollution, constant comparisons, and everyday stress made me realize how peaceful life can feel when you're simply present.
• I need to take my fitness and health much more seriously.
• Life is about finding balance—the yin and yang—not chasing one thing at the cost of everything else.
• Travel isn't a luxury; it's one of the best forms of learning and self-discovery.
• Money is important, but not at the cost of your health, time, or happiness.
• I learned that people think about you far less than you imagine. So relax, stop overthinking, and remember that everything is temporary.
• Nothing lasts forever, and that's what makes every experience special.
• I need to get better at talking to strangers and starting conversations.
• I want to be more open, say yes to more experiences, and enjoy life a little more.

Would I Do It Again?

Without a doubt.

This single solo trip gave me so much to think about. It changed the way I look at life, what I want from it, and the kind of person I want to become. I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate turning 25.

If there's one thing this trip taught me, it's that some experiences can't be explained—they have to be lived. The places you visit eventually become memories, but the perspective you gain stays with you long after you return home.

I'll definitely do it again.

I'll end this blog with one of my favorite quotes by Anthony Bourdain:

"If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food, it's a plus for everybody.

Open your mind, get up off the couch, move."