Solo travel doesn't have to be lonely or expensive, but I've noticed people either romanticize it or dismiss it as selfish. I've done four solo trips in the last two years, and the mix of freedom and forced self-reliance has changed how I handle stress at work. But I also spent one miserable week in Tokyo where I barely spoke to anyone, which made me question if the hype is worth it for everyone. Does solo travel actually build character, or is it just an overpriced way to avoid your problems?