As a solo traveler, I am often asked: “Are you traveling alone?”

My answer is always: “I’m traveling WITH MYSELF”.

“Traveling alone” and “traveling with myself” (or “being alone” and “being with oneself”) are totally different perspectives of the same situation.

The first one implies that you’re alone because you have no choice. The other is — you’re alone because it’s your choice. And you’re grateful for it.

Why is it that some people are able to not just cope, but cherish their alone time? What makes them that way?

It all comes down to certain traits. Here are 7 unique traits of people who enjoy flying solo:

1) They’re self-reflective

Folks who enjoy their alone time tend to share a common trait – they’re often deeply self-reflective.

This inward-looking tendency is no accident. When you’re alone, you’re offered with the opportunity to delve inward, to examine your thoughts and feelings without any external distractions.

It’s during these quiet moments that we’re able to engage in introspection, allowing us to better understand our motivations, desires, and emotions.

So if you’re someone who relishes your solitary moments, chances are you’re more self-reflective and self-aware than the average person. 

2) They value deep connections

Being more self-reflective and self-aware, those who cherish solo time just know what kind of people that they want to be around with to compliment with their values and desires. 

Other may think they shun social interactions. In fact, they crave meaningful and deep connections.

As someone who enjoys being alone, I no longer want to be as popular as possible. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to connect with others. 

Those of us who value our solo time often look for depth and authenticity in our relationships rather than just surface-level chatter. The connections we make need to be meaningful and worth our while. 

3) They’re usually more creative

When you enjoy time with yourself, your mind has ample space to wander and explore, often leading to a boost in creativity. This isn’t just anecdotal evidence either – it’s backed by science.

A study from the University of Buffalo found that people who enjoy spending time alone were more likely to exhibit creative tendencies.

Solitude offers a mental space free from distractions and interruptions, allowing for undisturbed creative flow.

So, if you find yourself coming up with your best ideas or solutions when you’re alone, it’s not a coincidence. It’s just another trait that sets you apart as someone  who embraces your solitary moments.

4) They have strong boundaries

People who cherish solo time also understand the importance of boundaries.

They recognize that in order to maintain their inner peace and sanity, they need to create and uphold these lines of personal space.

This is because time alone isn’t just preferred – it’s often necessary for their wellbeing. To ensure they get this time, they become adept at setting clear boundaries with others.

This might mean declining invitations when they need a break, or allocating certain hours of the day as their “me-time”.

If you’ve set these boundaries and know when to say no without hurting others, chances are you really know how to dedicate time for yourself.

5) They take care of their relationships

As I mentioned earlier, people who cherish their alone time value deep connections.

So it totally makes sense that they would have strong and deep relationships.

The principle behind this is simple: since they spend time alone, they know themselves well and understand what they want from their friendships and romantic relationships.

When they hang out with friends or family, it’s because they genuinely want to. They don’t just meet people because they feel they have to.

This means that the time they spend with others is special and important. They choose quality over quantity in their relationships.

These people are also really understanding when their friends or partners need space. They get it because they need their alone time too. This can make their relationships stronger because everyone feels free to be themselves.

In short, loving alone time doesn’t mean they don’t care about others. It’s the opposite. They make their relationships count, choosing to spend time with people who really matter to them.

6) They’re not easily bored

People think that being alone is boring. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth.  

There’s always something to do, something to think about, something to learn or explore.

I keep a list of things I love to do during my me-time. Here are some of them:

• • Travel solo (and meet other solo travelers from either Couchsurfing or Solo Female Travelers group and have a really great time with them)
  • Clean and decorate my house 
  • Go to the spa
  • Learn a new skill
  • Journal

The list is actually longer, but you get the picture. 

So if you’re like me and enjoy your solitude, chances are you’re always onto something. And I’m sure it’s anything but boring.

7) They’re self-reliant

Finally, because they spend a lot of time alone, they tend to develop a high level of self-reliance.

They’re comfortable with handling things on their own and don’t constantly seek assistance or validation from others.

This doesn’t mean they refuse to receive support from others, though. They do know when to ask for help. 

But as much as possible, they trust their abilities and judgment, and are completely comfortable standing on their own two feet. 

Cherishing solitude is a strength

As you can see, people who enjoy their alone time aren’t lonely at all. In fact, they’re pretty strong in their own way.

When someone is happy being alone, it shows they’re confident and self-reliant. They don’t always need others around to feel good, which is actually pretty cool.

It takes a lot of self-love and self-awareness to be that kind of person. Because loving alone time means understanding yourself well. It’s about knowing what you need and not being afraid to take that time for yourself.

This isn’t being selfish; it’s being smart about taking care of yourself.

So, if you like having time to yourself, that’s great! It shows you’re strong in your own way, knowing how to be by yourself and still be happy. That’s a pretty awesome skill to have.