Ten months ago, I impulsively quit my job to solo travel. Sounds typical. The previous year had been very difficult. My Dad had suddenly passed away. Earlier that year, my gran passed, while my Mum was dealing with ongoing health problems. For the cherry on top, I’d always had a tainted relationship with both my parents. As an only child, I was responsible for handling everything. I coped well on the surface, but deep down, I felt like I was going to explode.

Since I was a child, there’s been this deep desire to solo travel. Yet the plan had always been to graduate and then land a desirable job. Thanks to the state of the UK’s graduate job market, the latter seemed inconceivable.

I also felt that there was something missing. Even if I had gotten everything I thought I wanted, there’s a whole world out there. Being in the fortunate position to access it, I thought I might as well go now, rather than wait until it’s too late.

But my mind was clogged with solo travel self-doubt

What if I can’t handle it emotionally?

I hate to break it to you, but long-term solo travel is hard. Anxiety, homesickness, and loneliness kick in time and again. Leaving your comfort zone is challenging yet rewarding, and the experiences of solo travel help us grow.  

I’m also quite shy, and I’m slightly introverted. Early on, someone told me I would ‘end up alone’ because of this. I still need people, so this got me worried.

I’ve already mentioned my crap year.

I was scared I’d start hoping that moving away would solve all my problems. This hope is dangerous. When it becomes unfulfilled, we just feel worse.

• I haven’t been ‘cleansed’.
• I haven’t ‘healed’.
• And I certainly haven’t ‘escaped’.

Sounds like the same shit in a different country. There have been points where I’ve thought about just heading ‘home’. Yet I am much happier now than before. And I’ve caught the travel bug. So something must be going right. For the rest of this post, I will talk about the steps I have taken to make solo travelling not just manageable, but enjoyable.

Preparing yourself for solo travel: before leaving home

Getting used to doing things alone:

A good way is to start small at home. Visit a local café for brunch, go on a little hike, or even take a short trip nearby.

I stayed a night in London because I really wanted to see a concert. At first, I was anxious. What would people think of me being there alone? But as it turned out, I wasn’t the only one. I’m certainly glad I didn’t miss out on seeing one of my favourite artists. I spent the rest of the time engaging in activities that felt more comfortable. Rather than visiting a restaurant alone, I brought food and ate it at Hampstead Heath. The following day, I wandered around London’s streets, parks, and shops before it was time to head home.

Although I have met many people through solo travel, there are plenty of times when I am alone. Sometimes I wish I were sharing my experiences with others, though, like at the concert, I would prefer to go by myself than miss out. Solo travel is all about taking yourself outside your comfort zone. But it helps to have confidence being alone before being miles away. As things I’ve always feared get easier, I keep doing things that come as no challenge. We still need that respite.

Get intentionally involved with the online travel community:

When I first told people that I was solo travelling, I was scared they’d think that I was odd. No one I was close to had solo-travelled for long periods, so I felt that my decision was unusual. It also meant that there was no one whom I could relate to, or who could answer too many questions.

I joined a couple of Facebook communities and looked at some travel blogs. There were plenty of tips I found useful, and it was comforting to be part of a community, albeit online.

Not long after, Instagram’s algorithm began feeding me content, and it could tell that I liked it. As a small creator, I now frequently post on Instagram. But I sometimes find myself comparing myself to other creators, not necessarily because of how many followers they have, but for how they travel.

I try to be as intentional as possible when viewing content. I will look to other creators for tips and community, but also remember that much content is curated. We are all different, and travel is about learning. Not repeating. I may seek inspiration, but I always try to remember that the most beautiful moments in travel are those that happen sporadically.

Make a plan with space:

By making concrete plans, my visions felt more realistic, and the idea of dropping out became more of a fallacy. It also reduced the fear that I’d be wasting my time.

There are multiple options. Many use Workaway or Worldpackers to get free accommodation in exchange for volunteering for a few hours a day.  I volunteered with Think Pacific, then with an individual NGO- mainly within marketing. Although volunteering abroad can do more harm than good, ensure that it aligns with your skills. I also looked for transparency. I wanted to know where my money would go (for Think Pacific) and ensure I wouldn’t be taking from the local community.

Alternatively, you can work abroad. I intend to do so in Australia, and what could be a better way to extend your budget?

By getting involved and by slow travelling, I learned much more about the place and the people.

That said, try leaving some space for free time and for a change of plans. You don’t know when you will meet others with whom you may want to make plans, how much you will like a place, or what you would like to be doing in six months’ time.

Navigating Solo Travel: Whilst Travelling

Consider starting with a group trip:

Group trips have their pros and cons, and a lot of it depends on the people you are travelling with. But you mostly have control of where and when you want to go. The additional support in logistics and companionship certainly helped me because I had little confidence in navigating hotels and public transport abroad before solo travelling.

Most of the people had gone alone, and if that is still something you are worried about, there are group trips primarily for solo travellers. Or for women, LGBT+ people, and people in their 20s. Many had solo-travelled much more than I, and were keen to share tips and experiences.

Fake it till you make it:

Even now, whenever I show up to a group event alone, meet new people, or head out to eat or sightsee alone, I get anxious. Remember, you have just as much of a right to be there as anyone else. But also think about who you want to become.

If your inner child or teenager knew you would be solo travelling, what would they see? Chances are, they would be inspired by their future selves. Because you are solo travelling, you basically are that person. But if you don’t feel like it, just pretend. Because if that’s what we’re focused on, then there’s less headspace available for self-doubt to take over.

Look after your health (mental and physical):

Eat healthy (and affordably):

There are people who joke about not eating until they feel they’re about to faint. Or who live off alcohol and chips the whole time. I’m no health guru, but trying this for, say, six months or longer isn’t a good idea.

Eating out in some countries is very affordable (and still ethical). When I was in Cambodia, there was a family-run restaurant where you could get lunch for less than £2. Alternatively, if you volunteer with a program like Worldpackers or Workaway, you are likely to be provided free meals. Hostels often provide breakfast, which often works out  as a healthy and affordable option. And good hostels usually have a shared cooking space.

Exercise:

Many cities are very walkable. Alternatively, some countries have gyms/pools that are very affordable. If you are staying somewhere for a longer period, you can find exercise classes on apps like Meetup.

Still treat yourself!

Trying new foods and enjoying some drinks add to the joys of travelling. Let yourself live, there’s no need to be fastidious.

‘Mental health’:

I’m talking in terms of mental well-being, but I find that the more I take care of my physical health, the better I feel mentally. I also think it’s important to keep in touch with people I’m close to. When I have the energy, I make an effort to meet new people, although I’ve learned to say no when I’m feeling tired, or when I’ve already got a lot on.

I do get days when I don’t feel great. On these days, I still try to do something that I will enjoy, or at least something that will distract me. For me, this often looks like a walk through town. Most likely involving taking photos and strolling into a few shops (even if I don’t buy anything). But it can also look like reading a good book, watching your favourite show, or going to the gym. Just because you’re travelling, it doesn’t mean that the comforts we have at home become redundant.

Adapt your travels to suit you:

Before I began solo travelling, I didn’t know what kind of ‘style’ suited me most. I surprised myself when I realised that sometimes sharing a room, or even a dorm, can be fun! Although overall, I prefer staying in places for longer and having some routine.

The beauty of solo travel is that there are so many options. Some work remotely. Some go on extended trips just for exploration. Others take working holidays. There is nothing wrong with any of these options; it is about learning what suits us.

We can also take a break whenever we want. There have been times when I’ve popped back to the UK to sort things out and to visit friends and family. Just because our way of travelling looks different from others’ doesn’t mean we are failing.

I have covered a lot in this post, although there is something huge that I haven’t yet discussed. With just over a 5th of the world’s population travelling internationally once a year, long-term travel is an immense privilege. With this, there is no room for neutrality.

The second part of this series will cover how to solo travel consciously. In practice, this means mitigating the negative impacts of travel and enhancing the positive ones- on the planet, but just as importantly, on the people.

For fellow solo travellers, what has helped you the most? And for those thinking of solo travelling, what is something that you are anxious about? I would be interested in hearing your thoughts in the comments. To ensure you don’t miss out on the second part of this series, please subscribe.