Despite me moving and starting from scratch TWICE in two different countries, I still don’t consider myself brave.
Proof of this is that it’s only been this last couple of years that I tried my hand at travelling alone. I’ve read about people going on solo trips numerous times and it all seems so fascinating but the thought of facing strangers, exploring strange places and just dealing with the unknown by myself have always deterred me from doing it sooner.
But I eventually found the err..balls to do it and I thought of sharing some of the things I learned from those experiences:
Have a plan
I wanted to do a lot of YOLO-ing on my first solo trip – you know, because I finally did it! I was brave enough to do it so to heck will all those itineraries and schedules. I wanted to just be cool and roll with whatever comes. Big mistake.
Yes, it's a time to relax and chill but since you’re travelling alone, it’s best to have a plan A, or B or C for that matter. Keep yourself busy because it’s not all the time that you’d have new friends to talk to or hang out with. Research as much as you can about the place and have an idea of what it has to offer. You don't want to get to a point when you’re already on the trip and THEN start searching for stuff to do or worse, just give up and be tempted to just hang around in your hotel room ordering room service lol.
Don't try to do it all
It's very tempting to squeeze in everything that a place has to offer. I remember trying to fit in all the “tourist spots” in my itinerary just to check in to as many places as possible and have lots of photos for posting on Facebook and Instagram (ahem!).
It can be okay for some, but personally, I came to realize that rushing away to hop on to the next spot takes away all the fun and would leave me feeling like I’ve not really experienced it at all. Choose your itinerary well, and know when to hop in and out and when to just slow down, breathe and really, TRULY experience it.
Don’t broadcast yourself
Try to blend in – don’t make yourself stand out by wearing the typical tourist getup. This is an obvious safety reason, but it will also help you avoid getting charged exorbitant fees by local vendors and people hawking their services. If you really don’t look like the locals, at least try to look like you’re a long-time expat living in that country.
Also, it’s okay to be wary sometimes. I loved making new friends from my travels but try not to make yourself too vulnerable. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, don’t tell people that you’re a solo traveler.
Invest in a good pair of shoes
This is such a simple aspect of a trip that it gets neglected most of the time (for us girls at least). Being a girly girl, I love having nice shoes to go with my OOTDs but I’d often get sore feet and even blisters at the end of the day. I’ve learned to invest in a good pair that would go well with most of the outfits I’ve brought and my feet have been thanking me since then! Oh and having just one good pair that I bring along on trips definitely helps me to pack light.
Don’t be a loner
And I mean that in the kindest way possible. Yes, you are travelling alone to experience things solo and get to know yourself more but it doesn’t mean you have to be literally 24/7 alone.
On my first solo trip, I booked accommodations in a hostel (all-girls room because I am not THAT adventurous) – something I have never done before. I wanted to push myself into being in a situation where I had no choice but to interact with people and it was the best decision ever. Not only did I hear fascinating stories and gained new perspective from these strangers, I also found life-long friends along the way!