I go backpacking and hiking solo all the time. I always let someone know where Im going and my expected return date. I call when I get back.
I am always prepared. I have been caught in bad storms and had things happen like the tent blowing down. I notice my concentration always gets really focused when I go by myself. A simple slip crossing a talus slope could result in a busted leg or ankle. If Im with someone else, I will be careful. If Im by myself, Im REAL careful. I might not even take some routes that I would have if I were with someone else.
Soloing really heightens my awareness. It is exciting because of the added element of risk involved. {Risk, not gamble}
I live where bears, wolves and other critters capable of killing me, are fairly common. I must use good sense with food handling, and pay attention to my surroundings. A surprised moose can take me out in a heartbeat. I have to take precautions.
Once a year, I go out with a friend and we spend a couple nights with just basic survival gear, no tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. We build shelters, practice bushcraft, freeze our butts off, and generally are miserable. Oh yeah, one of us gets a broken arm and cant use it. {The right one, not the left} the other guy gets to use carpet, foam, plastic bags and paracord for boots. It sucks. So do real survival situations from what I hear.
Of course, looking back, we always talk about how fun it was. It pushed the envelope, but it was fun.
By the way, our small knives work just fine. Weve never had to split wood for kindling for example. No need for a chopper to survive. Hmmm, weve never broken a knife either. Go figure.
Try some short trips where you can walk back to civilization, or somebody can hear your whistle, if the sh*t hits the fan.
Soloing can be really fun. It develops character.
