Are You Happy? Part III: Solo in Scotland
It was late into the evening somewhere along the royal mile in Edinburgh Scotland. Rain clouds were closing in, and they looked impressive as the moon lighted them in the night sky. I was tired, hungry, but pleased as I was on my second last night of a trip I had dreamed about taking for a long time.
I walked along the cobblestone road, found a small, fast food restaurant near the University of Edinburgh, and bought a slice of street pizza. Then I sat down on a bench underneath a street light and had my late dinner. When eating, I pulled out my camera and started to flip through the photos I had taken on this trip.
I enjoy traveling alone. Even just typing this out is cathartic. I love hospitality and creating community, but I'm an introvert. I'm also an introvert who has very clear ideas about what he enjoys. Often, a group experience will mean that I sacrifice what I'd really want to fit the group. Not this trip!
I spent hours walking through Edinburgh Old Town at my own pace, taking time to snap photos of things that I thought were interesting. I ate at good restaurants and toured Scotch distilleries. I spent a day hiking around Lock Lomond and spent another day exploring castles and wandering around the Scottish highlands. I also lived the introvert's dream - I didn't have to speak to anyone for about five days.
As I finished my pizza, I started to feel tiny raindrops land on my hands and face. Finally, it was time to catch a bus to take me back to the Bed and Breakfast where I was staying. Something felt off. If you were to ask me where my happiness level was on a scale of 1-10, I was about an 8. I was happy, but I knew something was missing.
I found myself wanting to tell someone about my day.
It turns out, that even introverts have their limits.
Everything about going home to my friends and family felt right. I didn't fully understand it then, but I came to have a better understanding of that feeling after I read Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild," a book that recounts the true story of Christopher McCandless, who died tragically in the wilderness of Alaska. Before he passed away, McCandless recorded these simple but profound words on the margins of the book he was reading,
"Happiness only real when shared."
Yes, traveling alone is great; I'll still do it from time to time-but have you tried being on a journey with people? That's way better. You need your family; you need your friends, and you need your coworkers. Humans are meant to live in tribes. That's how we thrive. So be with your people, whoever they are. Share your life, and be generous with those around you; it's guaranteed to make you happier.
I will return to Scotland one day, but next time, I hope to bring the family I started a few years after returning from that first trip. I know I'll enjoy it even more.
Thank you for spending some time here, friend. May you find traveling companions.