It's a regular weekday, but the hustle and bustle at Secunderabad railway station make it feel like vacation time. The train to Trivandrum is already on the platform, honking, preparing for departure. As I navigate the crowd of passengers, chai and samosa vendors skillfully weave through, making their sales even amidst the commotion.
Finally, I find myself on the train and settled into my seat. For the next 24 hours, these fellow passengers will be my companions, and with nothing much to do, I begin to gaze out the window. You might think this is the start of a typical travel blog, but it's not. This is about how solo travel became my journey to self-exploration, helping me renew and rediscover myself. It felt like an act of self-care, an experience that touched the core of who I am.
Travel often seems to be about the destination, but it’s much more than that. The journey teaches us countless lessons along the way, allowing us to explore and understand ourselves better. As the train began to move, I was captivated by the world outside—lush green fields, hilltops, unusual rock formations, swaying nests on trees, and the vast sky with fluffy white clouds. My focus shifted from the chatter inside the train to the serene, silent beauty outside.
It's fascinating how travel brings out the introvert in me, surrounded by people yet finding solace within. I realized I could share space with others, tolerate their quirks, and remain calm amid the noise. Despite the chaos around me, my mind was already creating to-do lists and plans for the destination ahead. Meanwhile, my eyes remained fixed on the clouds, which seemed to invite me into a universe beyond our world.
The birds soaring high in the sky made me cherish the freedom of letting go of worries, even if just for this brief break. As the train journeyed through dark tunnels, I felt a metaphor for life itself—moments when everything seems dark and hopeless, yet with patience and perseverance, you eventually emerge into the light, finding hope once again.
As evening set in, the sky turned into a canvas of orange hues, reflecting off the water in the fields. It made me realize how the universe offers so many vibrant colours to enrich our lives, but we often miss out, trapped in our narrow thoughts. We fail to discover the vastness of our potential.
Travel has taught me to be more organized with planning and managing money—skills that don’t come naturally to me. There’s a sense of adventure and excitement in simply packing a bag and heading to a new destination, even without a grand plan. It opens our minds to different perspectives, helps us understand others, and above all, teaches us more about ourselves. We become more empathetic, connect with strangers, and sometimes, even make new friends.
As I reflect on my journey, I feel more confident and content with who I am, thanks to the experiences I’ve gained from solo travel. As the Dalai Lama wisely said, "Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before." It’s a mantra I’ve embraced, and it resonates deeply with me, as captured in these quotes about travel:
So here I am, ready with my travel wish list. How about you? You don't need to plan something extravagant. It could be as simple as visiting a nearby pond, lake, village, or any place you haven’t explored yet.
Happy travels!
