Every day, there’s something, someone, and somewhere new. The fundamentals of travel never really change.
However, the first few days and weeks of your very first solo trip can be tough to navigate, but rewarding. All my friends at home have been somewhat confused yet inspired to travel alone.
I always get tons of questions, and the ranking of most frequent go something like:
- Did you get bored alone?
- Did you feel lonely?
- How do you know where to stay? What if you don’t like it
- How does it feel knowing life is moving on without you at home don’t you feel like you’re missing out?
After staying in a hotel in Italy on my first few days of my 2-month Europe trip, it was time to go into my first hostel I ever stayed in. I think I stood at the door for a solid 5 minutes, wondering if what I was doing was really for me.
1 hostel became 2. 1 conversation led to fruitful friendships. 1 bus became the best place I’d ever seen before. Taking the steps you necessarily aren’t inclined to take are the ones you need to take. it’s the snowball effect, once you get it rolling the confidence will grow and so will you.
You can do this.
I had a plan for my trip, deciding where to go and what to see. Initially, I planned to travel solo, but I made lifelong friends along the way and ended up visiting most of my chosen destinations with them, many of which I have stayed in touch with and have seen since. The thing about travelling and meeting strangers is you find that you align with people who are meant for you. I am no psychologist, but we connect with some people more than others and that really shows when you travel and select people based on interests, connections, and comfort around them.
While I did spend some days alone, I enjoyed those moments just as much. it’s okay to be on your own and do things alone; you learn to be comfortable in yourself, and that’s a key step in being a well-rounded individual. I loved the freedom to make spontaneous choices, like deciding to go to Budapest on a whim after deciding 3 hours prior without anyone holding me back. Putting the headphones on in the bus, wondering what’s coming tomorrow, calling home and seeing if everyone’s okay. There is no feeling like it. Being free to do what you want, when you want.
The more people you try to meet and talk to, you’ll find they also have better ideas of what to do than you originally came up with. Do some research and ask around the best places to stay or have a look online at reviews. Can you imagine what it would have been like to travel 30 years ago? we have everything at our fingertips, it’s too easy.
convrsley, if you’re more of a relaxed person who simply wants to mind their own business. Check out what hostels are quiter and what are party hostels. It’s truly up to you what kind of experience you want to have
Staying in a room with strangers you can talk to, not knowing what tomorrow brings, Nights with no plans then ending up going out with a bunch of people. Hearing stories from people around the world makes four hours feel like just four minutes. When you’re reading this, just know your story is out there to be written, go write it.
The greatest advice I could give is no one knows who you are. You are not in the box you grew up in at home where people have pre-determined opinions or expectations from you. You create your path and decide where you go and who you want to be. Most of these people you will never see again, and being yourself leads to better connection to people that are right for you on your trip.
You’ll feel happy.
You’ll think about your life at home.
You’ll consider your professional situation.
You’ll wish it would last forever.
Some days won’t go as planned.
Other days will go just the way you want.
The first days will feel freeing, the first weeks will mean smiling with strangers, and then comes reflection towards the end.
In the end, you may not find yourself as others say you will, I dont believe in this notion. But you’ll become someone you never imagined you could be and develop a new appreciation for life.
Solo. Together. Anywhere. 