Finding Yourself in Remote Locations: Embracing Solitude

8 August 2025

Have you ever felt the pull to just... disappear for a while?

To log off, tune out, and vanish into the heart of nowhere? Somewhere the only sound you hear is the wind whispering through trees, waves crashing against an untouched shoreline, or maybe the distant echo of your own heartbeat as you stand alone atop a mountain?

Well, you’re not alone in wanting to be alone.

Welcome to the beautiful, mysterious journey of finding yourself in remote locations—where solitude isn’t lonely, it’s empowering.

Why Solitude Pulls Us In

Let’s be honest: the world is loud. Between the constant pinging of phones, the never-ending scroll, work meetings that should’ve been emails, and bustling social obligations—it’s no wonder many of us start craving the quiet.

But solitude? That’s not just about turning the volume down. It’s about turning inward. It’s about space—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally—to rediscover who we are when no one else is looking.

There’s something deeply liberating about standing alone under a sky filled with stars, miles from the closest human being. It’s scary, sure. But growth often starts on the edge of discomfort.

Remote Places That Whisper to the Soul

Not all remote places are the same. Some are rugged, wild, and unforgiving. Others are soft, quiet, and nurturing. Yet all of them offer one thing that cities and crowds can’t: clarity.

Below are some wild, wonderful corners of the globe where solitude isn’t just a bonus—it’s the main feature.

1. The Scottish Highlands – Where Time Stands Still

Rolling green hills. Foggy moors. Ancient ruins. The Scottish Highlands feel like something ripped straight from a fantasy novel. Days go by without seeing another soul. You hike, you sit by lochs, you listen to the wind—and, strangely enough, you start hearing yourself again.

2. Patagonia – The Edge of the World

When you’re walking across the vast Patagonian plains, framed by jagged peaks and glaciers that look like frozen waves, it’s easy to forget the modern world exists. It’s raw, remote, and absolutely humbling.

3. Mongolia’s Gobi Desert – Silence That Sings

Here, silence isn’t empty. It hums. It has texture. Camping under stars with endless sand as your backdrop, you get a sense of just how vast the world is—and how beautiful it can be to feel small in it.

4. The Faroe Islands – Solitude with a Splash of Magic

Tucked between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands are all drama. Cliff faces plunge into roaring seas, grass-roofed houses peek from fog, and sheep outnumber people. If you’re chasing a remote experience with a fairytale twist—this is it.

5. Bhutan’s Cliffside Monasteries – Spiritual Silence

Bhutan takes solitude seriously. Monasteries cling to cliffs, and trails wrap through forests like hidden whispers. Meditation isn't just encouraged—it’s part of the culture here. You’re not just unplugging; you’re tuning in.

The Real Journey? It's You.

Most people think travel is about places.

But when you step into a remote location, stripped of distractions, the focus shifts inward. Suddenly, you’re not just mapping terrain—you’re mapping your soul.

You Confront the Noise Within

We’re all carrying stuff—thoughts, regrets, to-do lists, scrolling memories. In solitude, there’s no one to distract you from them. And that’s powerful. Because to truly move forward, sometimes you need to sit with the mess, unpack it, examine it.

You Learn What You Truly Crave

Without external voices telling you what you should want, you start noticing what actually lights you up. Maybe it's simplicity. Maybe it’s connection. Or maybe—surprise—it’s more solitude.

You Reconnect to Wonder

When was the last time you looked at the stars and felt tiny? Or watched a sunrise without your phone? In remote places, awe becomes your travel companion. And that kind of wonder cracks you open in all the best ways.

The Strangely Beautiful Discomfort of Being Alone

Let’s be real: being alone can be uncomfortable—especially at first.

The silence can be deafening, and the lack of structure disorienting. The itch to check your phone might come back with a vengeance. But if you can ride that wave for a bit, something shifts.

You stop checking the clock. You eat when you're hungry, sleep when you're tired. You start to trust your body again, your instincts. It’s like remembering how to be human from scratch.

And that, my friend, is nothing short of magical.

Nature Doesn’t Judge

One of the most freeing parts of being out there—way out there—is that nature doesn’t care about your résumé, your follower count, or what mistakes you’ve racked up.

The mountains will rise, the winds will howl, the tides will shift—regardless of who you are or what you’ve done.

That kind of perspective? It’s healing.

It reminds you that you’re a part of something vast and ancient, and maybe—just maybe—your worst moments aren’t as heavy as they once seemed.

Tips for Navigating Remote Solitude Like a Pro

Curious to take the plunge? Here are some real-world pointers you've gotta keep in mind before you chase that deep solitude:

1. Safety First, Always

Romantic as it sounds to disappear into the wild, let’s remember—remote doesn’t mean reckless. Always:

- Share your location with someone you trust
- Know the basics of survival if you’re going way off-grid
- Pack the essentials, and then a little more
- Understand local customs if traveling internationally

2. Ditch the Itinerary

Remote travel isn't about checking boxes. It’s about slowing down. Let your intuition lead. If you find a quiet beach that sings to your soul—camp there an extra night. Lose the “plan”, find the moment.

3. Journal (Even if You Think You’re Bad at It)

There’s something therapeutic about writing when you're alone. No filters. No audience. Let the words pour out—messy, raw, and real. You’ll thank yourself later when you reread what your wilderness-self had to say.

4. Detox from Tech

Even if you have a signal (which you often won’t), challenge yourself to unplug. Leave the phone in your bag for long stretches. Let your senses be your guide. Listen to the wind, not the Wi-Fi.

5. Respect the Land

You're not just visiting a remote place—you’re entering a living, breathing ecosystem. Leave no trace. Take nothing but memories, and maybe a few goosebumps.

What Happens When You Come Back

Here’s the thing about solitude: it changes you.

You might return looking the same, but there’s a different light in your eyes. You've tasted something real. A closeness to life that’s hard to explain, but impossible to forget.

You might find your priorities shifting. Maybe that job doesn’t seem so urgent anymore. Maybe you're more present with loved ones. Maybe (brace yourself), you’re just okay with doing less.

The noise of the world might return, but you’ll have a little silence tucked inside you that no one can take away.

And that’s the secret. Once you find yourself in solitude, you never really lose yourself again.

Final Thoughts

Going off the grid, stepping into the wild unknown, embracing long, uninterrupted chunks of silence—it’s not for everyone.

But if you’re feeling the tug, that gentle nudge in your chest telling you to go... listen.

Solitude isn’t about being alone; it’s about coming home. Not to a place—but to yourself.

So pack light, tread gently, and don’t be surprised when you find something extraordinary in the middle of nowhere.

Sometimes, you need to get lost to truly feel found.