8 Lessons I Learned So Far from Traveling Alone
It might sound strange and uneasy to travel alone for the first time. You may wonder, why would you even consider it in the first place. If there’s anything I’ve learned in the past few trips, solo traveling is fun and exciting. Of course, as a first timer, you will need time to adjust and get used to it. Once you do, solo traveling will be your new favorite thing. Spending time traveling alone in a completely new world allows you to explore new things and explore your inner thoughts.
I have been solo traveling for a while now, and here are the eight lessons I have learned so far.
1. Alone Time Is Healthy
As much as it might sound like you might be lonely, getting alone time is healthy for your kindness. If you lead a busy life, constantly interacting with others in one way or another, you really need some alone time.
Solo traveling gives you plenty of alone time, and it’s fantastic. Exploring different parts of the world by yourself will significantly boost your confidence and self-esteem. This increases your happiness and reduces any chances of stress.
2. Learn to Say Hi
Traveling alone doesn’t mean you can’t talk to anyone or establish new friendships. No matter the location, get to make friends or at least say hi. Solo traveling leaves enough room to meet new people because “they are all you got.”
I have made so many friends from different parts of the world, especially in Asia and Europe. Having personal relationships with locals has given me access to experiences I would never have gotten without their connection. I always try to make new friends in new locations because their knowledge is valuable.
3. Don’t Forget Your Camera
You will want to capture memories of your solo travel, and a camera is the best way. Being a passionate hiker, I like exploring by foot. I capture precious nature moments that tell my unique experience when hiking. Forgetting the camera can be quite unfortunate, especially if a beautiful moment happens right before your eyes.
This happened to me once: I noticed a fawn bathing in the river, and I didn’t have my camera. That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen and surely deserved to be captured. While I still keep the beautiful image in my head, it is not the same as a photographed one. Therefore, always ensure you have your camera before leaving for solo travel. Don’t miss out on beautiful moments that you probably won’t ever see again!
4. Create a Capsule Wardrobe
In my experiences as a solo traveler, I realized that a capsule wardrobe is handy. Only buy items you interchange and easily combine. This approach ensures you have many outfits but with minimal clothing pieces. With less clothing, you will be more organized and pack lighter. I like this approach, and I would recommend it for any trip. You will agree that we sometimes tend to bring things we never use during the trip — a capsule wardrobe helps avoid that. You will only have the essentials that you need in the course of your trip.
5. Keeping Money Safe
I used to keep cash in my pockets until I had an unfortunate incident in the Dominican Republic. When tipping the bag carrier $5, I accidentally dropped $100 while reaching for it. I only realized it after a few minutes, no one told me about it, and I never recovered the $100. This is why I recommend getting a secure wallet with RFID protection to keep your money safe. You should also know that thieves lurk everywhere.
Keeping your money safe helps prevent the risk of losing it, especially if you are traveling solo. A secure wallet keeps your cash safe and ensures that no one steals your funds and information from credit cards. You will have a much better experience knowing your finances are secure.
6. It’s Not Weird to Eat Alone
Eating alone in public and in a new place sounds absurd and borderline weird, but it’s not! While you might find it hard at first, you will get used to it with time. It took me several meals to get accustomed to eating alone. Once I mastered the art, I could eat anywhere alone with so much confidence! So, you don’t have to confine yourself to your hotel room, go out and let things take their course. You can imagine how your self-esteem will skyrocket if you learn to eat alone in public.
7. Plans Are Made to Be Broken
It is good to stick to a schedule when traveling. However, it is vital to leave room for some flexibility. Be open to breaking your plan and going with the flow. Some of the best moments in my trips are those that happened randomly, unplanned, and completely out of schedule.
8. Lean to Live with Less
Contrary to what some people think, you don’t need much to have a great time on your trip. In fact, you will be surprised how little you need to have the best time of your life. You don’t need gadgets, fancy clothes, advanced technology, or anything of that sort to have the ultimate experience. Learning to live with less is my preferred way to explore the world, and I would recommend it any day.
Wrap Up
Traveling alone can be challenging at first but will become exciting once you get used to it. You don’t have to go through a rough first-time experience if you implement these tips—the basics matter, whether it is learning to connect with locals or keeping your money safe. Get ready and start your solo travels today.
Author Bio
Mariam Simmons is a fashion enthusiast and Content Writer with over a decade of editorial and writing experience. She has worked with various publishers and brands, including Conscious Connection Magazine, Kitty and Vibe, Alpine Swiss, Suit Shop, Fashions Finest, and more. As a content writer, she ensures they her readers learn something useful and get value instead of noise.
