I am often asked why I choose to travel on my own. Aside from the simple answers – I enjoy my own company or I can shop for art all day long – there are some really sound reasons for embarking on a solo journey.

I am a big fan of Susan Cain, author of the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.

I’m such a fan that I have owned three copies of her book – one I left on a plane, one is stashed in my iBooks, and another floats around the house for general perusing. I incorporate a great deal of her material into my teaching and I also like to gift the book to my favourite introverts.

Susan’s book resonates with me, as I identify as an introvert, with the twist of having an extroverted public persona. I find large social gatherings, small talk, and busy calendars over-stimulating, largely meaningless, and flat-out mentally and physically exhausting. I prefer policy puzzles to the inanity of politics. Pass me a book, please.

One of her challenges to introverts – and extroverts – is for us to spend time alone, away from the madness of our over-stimulated world. To remove ourselves from our daily expectation of interactions and obligations. To escape into our own head space, wherever that takes us.

The main reason I like to travel alone – with my camera and a book or three – is because I need to.

And I encourage you to try it, too.

– KS