(1st and 3rd images are not mine)
Lots of people are wanting to travel, but can't rely on flaky friends. If you are going to wait for someone to come with you, you're not going to go! Solo travelling is a great way to experience the world, get to know yourself, learn some new skills and see all the places you want to see. I'm going to breakdown my experience of solo travel and what I learnt to pass on my advice and calm some nerves!
It's okay to be nervous
You are going to be scared, it is natural. Don't hide or run from these feelings, listen to them, find the route of your fear and accept it. Embrace the feelings like you would if they were positive, happy feelings. Accept them and work with them. Slowly the fear will disappear, but remember nerves and anxiety are there to kick your body into action, they are a response to stimulation. Let your nerves help you to organise your trip and prepare for it.
Book everything in advance
Now I know this isn't for everyone, but I honestly think it's the safest and smartest option. If you've got flights, accommodation and activities pre-booked you will know where you will be on certain days (which you can share with friends and family), you will avoid losing a big chunk of funds as it'll be pre-paid and you can plan around these events.
Staying safe
Talking of safety, this is probably one of the most common questions I see...'where is the safest place for me to solo travel?'. Do you know what I think? I think anywhere is as safe as you make it. I was born in Englands second largest city, I lived there for 25 years, I feel safe there, I know how the handle it, to navigate it and it's home. To someone else, this big city is scary, they've seen the news reports of stabbings and drugs and now they can't see past that and feel unsafe on every street.
When I went to South Africa I was warned about how dangerous it was, but I felt so safe there. Wandering the markets at night, purchasing goodies, going to local bars and restaurants, walking back to our cabin in the dark...it all felt safe.
Some places have a higher crime rate, I get that. British backpackers go missing in Australia but British people are attacked, mugged and threatened in the UK daily.
My best advice is to stay up to date on the local news but don't become overwhelmed by it. Don't meet up with strangers online by yourself or in a private place, keep in touch with home and share your location with fellow hostel friends.
Learn to be alone
Not everyone likes being alone, we get used to surrounding ourselves with people, books, TV, phones...not many of us will sit in silence and happily watch the world go by. This is something you need to practice though, there will be nights where you are sat at a table by yourself with no WiFi, no friends, no family. Sure you will make friends along the way, but it doesn't happen everywhere you go or instantly. Practice being alone, sit with your thoughts (scary I know) and prepare yourself for lots of alone time.
Take the damn picture!
I have 4 pictures of myself in Australia that were taken by someone else, all other pictures of myself are selfies. That is my biggest regret. So now my advice to my future self and to others is to just take the damn picture!! Balance your phone somewhere on front camera, ask a stranger, set a timer, do the pose, take the picture. So what if people look at you? You're not going to see them again, but what you will see again is the great picture you just took and the memories you captured.
Keep in touch with home...but
enjoy your trip. It's nice to touch base with home every now and then and is a great way to keep yourself safe and keep the loved ones calm. However, don't let it take over your trip. Don't be so involved with what your friend from schools mom has just posted on facebook that you miss a once in a lifetime moment. Speak to your friends and family at home, share updates and pictures, but don't be sucked into it. Remember where you are and appreciate the now.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this blog, follow us for more here on WIX blogs or on Instagram @bilbo.h.
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