I’m one who likes to solo travel most of the time.
Not all of the time. Not 100% of the time. But a lot of the time.
I love the chance to observe the surrounding cultures, and meet and interact with locals at my own pace. I love following my own plans, wants and desires. I love not compromising. I love being able to spend an entire day in one area if I want, or to jump from sight to sight.
Traveling solo is amazing. I don’t think I’ll ever stop doing it.
But, this past year – it has been so full of solo time and solo travels that I am very much recognizing the importance of COMMUNITY in 2021. The area I spent most of the past year was particularly hard-hit by the pandemic, so much of my year was spent in full isolation.
And, there were some positives to this.
I had time to write. I had time to work on art and aerial. I had time to learn new skills that I’m hoping to grow moving forward. And, I went on tons of solo road trips in the surrounding states.
But without a doubt there were some negatives, too.
Even those of us who are great at being solo also crave some social interaction in our lives! Connecting with good friends and having face to face interaction is important.
The Importance of Community
As I write, I’m deeply missing my close friends that I have barely seen in a YEAR. Locations that are so dear to me. Half of my heart is on the other side of the planet, behind all-but-closed closed borders.
And, I’ve deeply missed my aerial and art students and clients. Not seeing them or dancing with them in person has been torture.
I don’t know about you, but for the first half of this year, I will be putting an emphasis on building my community in whatever ways are possible.
I’ve done a million road trips solo, but next time I’ll plan to bring a friend. I’m not allowed to perform aerial or teach my group classes at the moment, but I’ll take 1:1 clients whenever possible.
In the past, I’ve read about the benefits of a community on our mental health as human beings. Feeling connected and as part of a community is known to have a positive effect on our mental and emotional well-being.
So we must assume that the opposite is also true. Being isolated for so long causes us to feel alone and feel less connected to our surrounding community.
But, I don’t need studies to justify or explain the importance of community to me. I’ve experienced the importance of it first-hand in getting me through a terrible breakup. I’ve experienced the fun and comfort of a fellow expat community while living abroad.
So yes. 2021 will still be full of challenges for us travelers, I’m sure. Without a doubt. But I’m going to meet those challenges head on and embrace my small community in every way that I can this year!
Leave a Reply