SCARED OF TRAVELLING ALONE
I speak to a lot of people who have dreams of traveling solo. Whether it be a RTW or even just a few short trips. They have time and money in their favour but yet can never push themselves to do it.
WHAT IF I DON’T MEET ANYONE, WHAT IF I GET LOST, WHAT IF I NEED HELP. I USED TO ASK THESE VERY QUESTIONS
Like a lot of people, they tend to worry a lot about the thought of traveling alone and end up allowing those thoughts to get the better of them. I was one of those people but it’s amazing how few, if any of those become reality.
BENEFITS:
- Confidence boost.
- Learn more about yourself.
- See your true character.
- You will be eager to continue to try new things.
- Develop your social skills.
- You’ll make friends from around the world.
- Appreciate your own company.
MY FIRST SOLO TRIP
Leading up to my first solo trip I didn’t worry too much until the first moment I was alone. Having this time to reflect and think about what was to come probably wasn’t the best idea – the devil makes work for idle minds! So I can see why people overthink and think the worst when it comes to travelling solo.
In the end it paved the way for a decade of travel and I wouldn’t have changed any bit of it. It’s clear that the first bit is the hardest, leaving on your own for the first time is as hard as it gets.
Choosing Canada and America as the destination for my first trip was a great idea. They are both far enough away to really appreciate being on your own yet without the huge culture shock that you might get from going to Asia or Africa. It’s a great starting point
Scared of travelling alone?
LONELINESS
The good thing about traveling solo is that you can pick and choose the times you want to have on your own. I find this unusual that so many people are surprised at this but making friends while on the road is one of the easiest things you’ll do. It tends to happen organically.
SAFETY:
- FOLLOW YOUR GUT – If it doesn’t feel right then trust your gut
- RESPECT – Respect the cultures
- SCAMS – Read up on the scams.
- LUGGAGE – Always know where you luggage is. Keep all valuables in a backpack which is locked and stays with you
- TAXIS – Try to use Ubers and other similar options
- SHARE YOU ITINERARY – Lets friends and family know where you are going to be.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – Never travel without travel insurance.
THE HYPE
If you are travelling somewhere new, people tend to bring out all the scare stories and I find the very people haven’t even been. I know they mean well but more often than not it does more harm than good, not to mention they very rarely happen.
It’s always best to take people’s opinion with a pinch of salt, especially if they haven’t stepped foot in the country! I believed it all back in the day and on some of my earlier trips it had a negative effect but now I’m careful who I ask and more careful on who I listen to.
Having travelled to over half of the countries it’s not the ones I was most warned about that have cause the most problems but rather some of the most popular places which presented the most danger
MAKING FRIENDS:
- Check out this article
- Sign up to hostel tours.
- Meet people on Couchsurfing.
- Check out Facebook group meet ups.
- Start up conversation when around other solo travelers.
- Check out this article
THE WORLD IS SAFE
There is this belief that anywhere outside of the normal tourist trail isn’t safe. This might be true if you believe everything you hear but in reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
Take my trip to Sudan for example. A country that had only just come out of a civil war completely blew me away. The people there were some of the friendliest I have met anywhere in the world.
Some of the friendliest people I’ve met are Uzbeks
RELATED READ: HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS WHILE TRAVELLING
WHAT’S THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN
It’s human nature among many of us to think of the worst. But I can assure you as long as you aren’t stupid, getting on the wrong bus is as bad as it will get. Yet I have had some of my best experiences by simply taking a wrong turn!
DON‘T HAVE REGRETS
I can assure you this, if you decide not to scratch that travel itch you will go onto regret it for much of your life. Most of us only have the opportunity at a young age until other commitments take over our life!
Scared of travelling alone?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Anxiety, loneliness and boredom all play on people’s minds but for all the moments I feel like this, there are 100 others I’m enjoying every second. After 10 years of flying around the world I can say that there is nothing more liberating than traveling solo, I can assure you that once you go, you will wonder what all the fuss was about.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
