I like to travel by myself.

Hear the quiet yet resolute words of Carly Rae Jepsen, who declared: “I like to travel by myself.” Though spoken with simplicity, these words hold within them the weight of self-discovery, courage, and the ancient art of solitude. For in an age when men and women often seek constant companionship, and when noise surrounds us on every side, to journey alone is not a withdrawal but a bold step into the deeper mysteries of the self. To travel by oneself is to meet not only the world, but the soul that lives within.

Mark this truth, O seeker: the one who journeys with companions sees the road through the eyes of others, but the one who journeys alone must face the road with their own vision, their own strength, their own fears. To travel alone is to be stripped of distraction and cast into the mirror of solitude, where the traveler must learn who they truly are. The laughter and comfort of others may be absent, but in their place arises a new presence: the voice of the heart, the guidance of intuition, the stirring of courage.

Consider the story of Ibn Battuta, the Moroccan wanderer of the 14th century. Though he often traveled in caravans, much of his journey across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia was marked by solitude and the unknown. He walked alone into lands of foreign tongues, without certainty of safety or welcome. Yet through such solitude, he learned resilience and became one of the greatest travelers of history. His tale teaches us that solitude on the road is not loneliness, but the forge where strength and wisdom are shaped.

Think also of the great Henry David Thoreau, who withdrew to Walden Pond to live apart from society. Though he did not travel across continents, his solitude was itself a journey, a pilgrimage into the soul. By being alone, he discovered truths about simplicity, independence, and the essence of living deliberately. His example reminds us that to walk apart is sometimes the only way to see clearly the path of one’s life.

And what of Jepsen herself? Her words are not of sadness, but of joy. To say “I like to travel by myself” is to claim the power of independence, to declare that one does not fear their own company. It is the celebration of freedom: to choose one’s own direction, to linger where one wills, to walk into silence without the need of another’s voice. It is a declaration that happiness is not dependent on others, but can be found in the journey of the solitary heart.

The lesson for us, O listeners, is this: do not be afraid of walking alone. Whether across the earth or within the landscapes of the soul, solitude is a teacher that companions cannot replace. To travel alone is to cultivate courage, independence, and clarity. It is to discover that you are enough—that within you is all the strength you need to face the unknown. And when you return from such journeys, you carry a wisdom that enriches not only yourself, but all who walk with you thereafter.

Therefore, let these words guide you: make time to travel by yourself, even if only for a day. Walk a path without companions, listen to the world in silence, and see what truths emerge when there is no one else to shape your vision. For in such moments, you will meet both the vastness of the world and the depth of your own spirit. And when you return, you will know—as Carly Rae Jepsen has spoken—that solitude on the road is not emptiness, but fullness, not weakness, but strength, not isolation, but discovery.