I am paranoid. There’s hardly a time when I don’t think about death when I’m inside a moving vehicle. I think about boats capsizing, trains derailing and planes crashing, usually when I’m inside them. I’m paranoid that someone would take off with my bags as soon as I let my eyes off them. I can think of a hundred reasons not to get out of the house, but I can think of a thousand more reason why I should go out and explore the world.

I am a worrywart. I worry about getting sick, I worry about running out of money and I worry about getting lost. I’ve gotten sick while traveling (at the height of the A(H1N1) scare too!), and I’m still alive. I know that if I run out of money, I can think of ways to get some (credit card cash advance and Western Union are my savior). I also know that the best discoveries are made when you get lost.

I am not rich. I get a lot of questions about what I do for a living to be traveling so much. I actually do have a regular job. I work nights, that’s why I’m able to travel during the weekends. I am lucky to have a boss that lets me take an extended leave to travel (no pay, of course). And I do have this blog to help subsidize my travels. As they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way. If you really want to travel, find every means to help you get started.

I am not physically fit. Understatement of the year. I’m not saying that you should stop trying to live a healthier lifestyle, but don’t use your unfit state as an excuse not to travel. Hey, if I can climb a mountain, so can you.

I am introverted. I’m shy. No really, I am. I don’t go out of my way to make new friends. Most of the time, I keep to myself, only opening up when I’m with people I know. I’m not the type you’d see in the hostel common room chatting up everybody. It’s just not me. I don’t travel to meet new people. I travel to see new places and discover new culture.

I am not adventurous. No really, I’m not. Does that make me less of a traveler? It doesn’t. Every traveler have their own traveling style, the same way we have our own unique personalities. What is exciting for one traveler may not be your cup of tea, so why force yourself to like it?

That’s why I like to travel alone. I get to travel the way I like. I follow my own (very flexible) itinerary, and if I wasn’t able do everything, it’s okay because I’ve nobody to blame but myself. I like going around and exploring a new place in my own pace. I don’t have a list of must-see’s and must-do’s. I do what I can and see what I can. I am happy enough just being there.

I wrote this post because I’ve met a number of people who said they’ve always wanted to try traveling alone, but haven’t had the chance or the guts to go. As you have already read, I’m not the most confident nor am I the bravest of all travelers. I’m not even in the best physical condition. But I still do it.

I travel alone sometimes because of circumstances (travel buddy flaking out at the last minute), oftentimes because I enjoy it. Admittedly, it didn’t feel that way in the beginning. After a couple of trips, I started appreciating my alone time. It does get lonely, but it’s up to you if you want it to bog you down or find ways to ease the loneliness.

If you’ve been wanting to try traveling solo, I encourage you to try it at least once. Start with a weekend trip to see how you’d fare on your own, then move on to longer trips later on. Remember, if this is something that you set your mind to achieve, you will find plenty of opportunities to help you achieve your goal.

I went online to research about the places I’m visiting, and in the process, I discovered travel blogs about women traveling alone around the world, on trips that spans one month to over a year. I had a deep admiration for these women’s courage to go off alone, and wished I had the guts to do it myself.

As the months pass, the date of my departure started to loom. I grew more frantic as the days pass, until I no longer have the time to fret — I am already boarding the plane to a place I haven’t been to before and I’ll be alone.

I have been a loner by nature and as much as I love the company of my friends, I equally enjoy spending time on my own. I guess that helped me to be comfortable traveling solo. The great thing about solo travel is that I don’t have to worry about doing activities or visiting places that others might not want to do. I can go on my own pace and no one would complain. Of course, the downside of going off alone is that I’d have to shoulder the costs on my own.

Though interestingly, a number of people who went off to travel alone would comment that they were hardly alone. While traveling, they get to connect with other solo travelers. Staying in hostels, since most backpackers stay there, lets you meet other travelers, be it in your dorm room or in the hotel’s common rooms. Then there are the locals that you meet. I remember this two Thai ladies who were manning the travel agency office in Maenam beach in Ko Samui. Upon learning that I was traveling alone, they took me under their wing. I had hours to kill before the boat ride to Ko Pha Ngan, and they let me stay in their office. One of them even took me to the place where they usually eat their lunch.

So why should you travel solo? Because it’s a fulfilling experience. Everytime I get home from a solo trip, I feel so accomplished. I am proud that I was able to stand on my own, to take care of myself even for just three days (but of course, there are all these paranoid thoughts running in my head the whole time I’m traveling). These trips made me feel good about myself, it made me feel confident. Each trip is an affirmation that I can do whatever I put my mind into.

Youth Trip is holding another Backpacking seminar this Thursday at ROX. Since March is women’s month, this round’s topic is the Pinay Traveller. If you want to know wheres, whats and whys of traveling solo, join the forum on March 19, 7pm at the Core Room, on the 3rd floor of the ROX store in Bonifacio High Street.

In celebration of Women’s month, I’m changing JustWandering.org’s blog theme to white and blue. Dove has brought together your favorite female bloggers in one site. Read the real thoughts of real women over at dove.ph.