TRAVELLING SOLO V TRAVELLING WITH FRIENDS8 min read

Traveling solo vs. traveling with friends. The thought of traveling on your own seems daunting, but it’s just a thought. When you push through, you will wonder what all the fuss was about.

I LOVE THE 80/20 BALANCE OF TRAVELLING SOLO/WITH MY FAMILY

I’d say 90% of people avoid traveling because they worry about going alone. I understand it, as it’s how our minds work today. We often think of the worst scenarios and focus on everything that might go wrong, but reality is different.

REAL FEAR

The fear is real, and it holds many people back. People often ask me for travel advice because they’re concerned, and it pains me knowing most won’t live out their travel dreams because they fear booking a solo trip.

This isn’t an argument to travel solo, though both have great benefits I enjoy. But it will show that solo travel offers more advantages, which many don’t realize. Many people think solo travel isn’t an option, believing they must travel with a friend or not travel at all. They often fall out with that friend eventually!

SUPPORT

Having someone you know with you all the time feels incredible. But it’s just a comfort blanket. You may think you need it if you doubt your decision-making skills, but we don’t know our limits until we test them. Did I know how to travel on my first trip around America? No, I was clueless, but it never became a problem, and I had one of the best trips of my life.

TIP

Want to travel solo but can’t handle 6 months in Asia? Traveling doesn’t have to mean months in Mongolia or visiting ancient tribes in the Congo. A weekend trip to Europe is enough to start. From there, plan your next trip: hop between Greek islands for a week, explore central Turkey for a month, or take a staycation. This will help you grow your confidence and extend your travels.

SAFETY

Firstly it’s a common misconception that the world is dangerous. However if truth be told I have never been more scared in countries like U.S.A. rather than Syria and India where the people were just incredibly pleasant and curious! Obviously I understand the thought of having someone there helps but that’s exactly all it is, it’s rarely called into action and when they are it’s a decision that could often be made on your own. Not to mention when travelling solo you meet so many people that you’re never really alone! Any time I have been on the road I always end up travelling with another group, so don’t think for a 3 month trip you will be constantly by yourself, you will meet a ton of others going the same direction and quite often you share the route and combine your itineraries.

BUT WHAT IF I DON’T MEET ANYONE?

You will! Unless you book a hotel and stay in the room then ok you won’t. But you will be shocked at how easy it is and how naturally it happens. I have made some of my best friends on a city tour by just breaking the ice and asking them the most cringey question possible,
‘So what do you think of the tour?’ You’d be surprised that that is enough to signal the beginning of a flourishing relationship!
People who travel are some of the most open minded people you will meet and how keen they are to create new friends, it is seriously crazy how different some people are away from home, I have no idea what it is!

TIPS

Stay in a hostel. Hostels are full of solo travellers keen to meet other people and a simple hello, sitting beside someone in the common room/kitchen can be enough to break the ice.
Given the chance, start some conversation and if you aren’t any good at it then just either say hello or position yourself close enough to prompt.
Book an activity – day trip / city tour. These are best done in a hostel where there is a higher chance of being in a group with other people from the hostel and then easier to meet up with again.

STIGMA

I was surprised when people were afraid that others may think travelling solo is a bit strange. So was online dating, so were selfies, vlogging etc etc. I then ask, is it weird to them that I travel solo and the answer is always no with a smile of realisation!

I HAVE WITHOUT DOUBT MET MANY MORE SOLO TRAVELLERS THAN I HAVE OF PEOPLE THAT TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS.

YOU NEED TO BE BRAVE TO TRAVEL SOLO

Anyone who travels solo will have gotten the ‘good on you, you’re so brave’, and I appreciate it but I’m not, its just something that is so natural. It’s not like a need a month of talking myself into booking the next trip, for me going solo is as natural as taking a p*ss.

But was it like it as the start, not entirely but not far off and like anything the more times you do something the easier and more comfortable it gets.

FREEDOM

With travelling on your own comes freedom, freedom to do what you want, when you want! With having commitments at home I’m actually quite limited on the length of time I can travel, so this is a priceless aspect for me and allows me to tick off more things.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Regardless of who you travel with you will learn heaps but travel on your own and you will learn heaps about yourself. I have no doubt you will come home more confident, secure, proud and generally just a better person.ow I see why Botswana is considered the best place to do a safari – Read the reflection post here!

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x

To watch videos of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.