Guest Blogger Jane Lovas' weekly series called “What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Life and Career” runs each Thursday

When you want to go someplace exciting and no one can go with you, what do you do? For a long time I didn’t travel anyplace if I had to go alone. I don’t mean to the store or anything like that- I actually do enjoy spending time by myself. Not traveling alone wasn’t about being afraid to be by myself. It was more that I didn’t want anyone to think that I didn’t have any friends.

Finally one day, I got the opportunity to travel to Seattle on a business contract that ended up lasting for 7 months. Because it’s such a long flight between Seattle and Washington D.C., I arranged to have corporate housing and only travel once every three weeks for a long weekend. I made these arrangements because I wanted to get to know Seattle, and if I was only there Monday thru Thursday I really wouldn’t get to see the city.

During my time in Seattle, I learned that the secret to traveling by yourself is to have three things with you at all times. First have a book to read, second have a camera and third have a willingness to start a conversation. A book is great especially if you go out to eat at an establishment where everyone else is in couples and groups. I found that when I had a book to read while eating dinner alone, I wasn’t thinking about what everyone might be thinking about me (which they aren’t!). A camera gives you a mission, and there is something freeing about having a mission. A mission takes you out of yourself. Finally, bringing a willingness to start a conversation is the part of traveling by yourself that makes it the adventure that it should be.

When you travel with someone else, often times you’re too busy being with your travel partner. On the other hand, when you’re by yourself it’s easier to take the time to engage a stranger in a conversation. It’s these conversations that open up a world that you’ll never experience if all you only travel with a friend or partner.

So next time you want to go some place for the weekend and know one can go, step out by yourself with a book, a camera and the willingness to start conversations and see who you meet and what stories you hear. You’ll be amazed at the experiences you’ll have.

Jane Lovas is a career specialist who is the creator of the life changing 12 week tele-seminar “Creating the Life of Your Dreams”. She is also our guest blogger, whose column will run every Thursday. If you would like to contact Jane, you can reach her here, here or here.

"***" courtesy paramitta via Flickr Creative Commons