SCARED TO TRAVEL ALONE? SOLO TRAVEL MADE EASY
Scared to travel alone? Solo travel made easy
Are you feeling hesitant about going on a solo travel adventure? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many individuals share the fear of exploring new places without the comfort of companionship. However, with the right mindset and some practical tips, solo travel can become an empowering and life-changing experience. In this blog post, I’ll talk about the steps you can take to start enjoying your own company more and how to overcome being scared to travel alone.
Learn to be on your own
This is what people don’t realize is the hardest thing to do. We have been conditioned by society to believe that company is a must. When was the last time you were truly on your own? No roommates, no parents, and no friends by your side. I don’t mean alone at home, at the gym or alone running errands. I mean truly doing something alone. Where you didn’t have to answer to anyone for hours or days at a time.
For some of you this might be common, but for most of you, not really. The first crucial step to being able to travel alone is learning to be on your own. Even as a person that has been fortunate enough to have a robust community, there are times in which I find that people are busy. They have their own lives. And instead of being depressed about it, I don’t wait around for anyone and do things on my own.
Do Things Alone
One of the first steps to conquering solo travel anxiety is to start doing things alone in your daily life. Whether it’s going to dinner, catching a movie, or taking day trips to nearby places, gradually exposing yourself to solo activities will boost your confidence. Learn to enjoy your own company and savor the freedom that comes with it. These are baby steps, anyone can do them!
Don’t Be Afraid to Be Seen Alone
One common concern for solo travelers is the fear of being judged or feeling awkward when seen alone. This is why it’s so important for you to follow the previous step. Dinner for one, and take a book with you. Or simply watch people pass by. You might think that people will think you’re pathetic because you’re on your own. Remember, most people are more focused on their own lives than on the actions of strangers. And who knows? Some might even admire you for having the courage to take yourself out for dinner or on activities. This is just the beginning. The more comfortable you become on your own, the more you’ll appreciate the beauty of doing things alone.
Start Learning How to Enjoy Your Own Company
Being alone provides a unique opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. Take the time to reflect on your thoughts and immerse yourself in the experience. Embrace the freedom to choose your own itinerary and follow your interests. When was the last time you truly had time with yourself? We’re so bombarded by information and people around us that it is hard to know what it’s like to be truly on our own. You’re you, you’re unique – appreciate the strength and courage you have for doing this. Most people live their whole lives without knowing their inner selves.
OPT FOR DAY TRIPS OR GROUP TRIPS
Booking guided tours is an excellent way to ease into solo travel. You can book day trips from your location! I’ve been using GetYourGuide for years and usually meet other solo travelers wherever I am. Then we can exchange contact information and continue doing things together if we get along well.
If that sounds too nerve-wracking, join a group tour! This is an excellent way to start traveling on your own. You’ll have a set itinerary, people looking out for you, and other solo travelers to connect with. I’ve been traveling solo for years and you’ll still find me joining group trips every now and then! I actually have a travel company that organizes trips if you want to check mine out! You can also check out this list to see the perks of joining one.
Join a Hostel
The thought of sleeping in a room full of people does not appeal to you. Not to worry! Here are two different things that people seem to not know about them. The first one is that many hostels have private rooms! You’ll have the best of both worlds there: privacy and a social environment all in one. I personally find hostels safer than hotels because they’re not as anonymous. I’d also say most of them have lockers if you’re worried about your valuables.
If this still does not sound like your thing, stay wherever you want! Then use hostels for meeting people. Many of them have common rooms, activities and even bars. Anyone can join, you do not need to be staying at the hostel. I was in Egypt recently and the hostel I was in had tons of locals and digital nomads joining in the evenings. They lived somewhere else, but were benefiting from the social environment that the hostel offered. This is also an option.
Join Facebook Groups
If you want to know the people you’re meeting beforehand, join Facebook groups! These communities are filled with both locals and other travelers who can offer advice, share tips, and even meet up during your travels. I know people say that you shouldn’t meet with strangers, but as long as you do it in a public area and follow your gut, you should be fine. I’ve been doing this for years. I have no regrets!
Hey there, and welcome to Go Global with Sibu! I’m a global citizen that has been living and traveling around the world since 2005 – all through budget travel, scholarships, study/work and living abroad opportunities. I share everything I’ve learned over the years here – to prove to you that you don’t need money or privilege to enjoy everything that this world has to offer.
Look for Local Events
Pages like Meetup, EventBrite, and even CouchSurfing offer plenty of events for both tourists and locals alike. This could be something as simple as a gathering to meet new people, or even local festivals, concerts, or exhibitions to connect with the community and fellow travelers. Depending on my mood, you’ll find me looking for these and attending them. If this is too much for you, post in one of the FB groups or leave a comment under one of the events saying that you’re looking for company. I promise you, you’ll find it.
Now you’re ready to travel alone!
Actually, you’re not. If you’re aiming for the RIGHT moment to be ready, you’ll be at home for a long time. There is no perfect time. You just have to take the chance and do it! But if you follow the steps I just provided, I promise you that it will be easier. This is like training for a marathon: you could train for months or even years. But ultimately, you won’t know what it’s like until you’re out there living it.
Life circumstances forced me to move to China on my own at the age of 17. I was SO lost. I had no idea what I was doing. Mind you, it was 2005! We didn’t have the technology we have today, which made things that much harder. But if there is anything I’ve learned in my almost 2 decades of living and traveling around the world, it is that you’re never really alone. I might be alone, but I’m not lonely.
Embrace the Road
My advice to you is to just go for it. I have other resources here on the different destinations you can go to if you want to feel more comfortable. I also have some safety travel tips you can follow for more confidence on the road. If you’re afraid you’ll still be lonely or miserable, do not worry!
I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but unless you have an extremely active social life, it’s really hard to make friends as an adult. Forget work, high school or university. How do you make friends outside of these social circles? The beauty of traveling alone is that you’re constantly out there meeting people – from all around the world! People with your same mindset that don’t allow others to hold them back. Tired of waiting for people to join you? Are you the only one who has the means to travel? Then do it!
Solo travel doesn’t have to be daunting. By taking small steps, embracing independence, and following these tips, you can turn your hesitance into excitement. Remember, the world is full of incredible experiences waiting to be discovered, and solo travel is the perfect opportunity to explore it on your own terms. I’ve been doing this for almost two decades. If people want to join me, wonderful! If not, I wait for no one. I have a wonderful group of global friends now, and not once has anything ever happened to me. Just live your own life! It will be worth it, I promise.