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So you’ve decided to solo travel…
You’re going to have an adventure of a lifetime and you don’t even know it yet! Deciding to travel alone isn’t easy. It’s a brave decision and a life changing one – but one of the best decisions I ever made.
When travelling solo you have to be “on” all the time. There is no one to double check the room to make sure you didn’t forget anything, no one to wake you up when the food comes on the airplane, no one to watch your bags when you go to the bathroom and no one there to walk with you in the dark, take a cab with you or help you make important decisions. It’s a lot of work, relying on just yourself. But you’ll meet people along the way that will become your family – and suddenly you’re not solo anymore. And that my friends, is the best part of solo travelling, the amazing people you meet along the way. How do you find your people? Keep reading!
Tip #1: Stay with other people
- When you first get to a new location, chose a place to stay where you’re bound to run into other people. For example: hostels, guesthouses, or homestays. Often times you’ll meet people who are also solo travelling and you can start to travel together! Hostels and guesthouses in particular often have social areas such as kitchens/restaurants where guests can eat together. This is where you’re bravery kicks in again – sit down with others, ask them about their travels, swap stories and you might just make a new best friend!
Tip #2: Join online travel groups
- Ahhhh social media and all the wonderful things that come with it! Is anyone still on Facebook or am I old now? Anyways – if you’re not, you need to create an account. Then go to the search bar and type in – SOLO TRAVEL GROUPS. You will find so many groups with like minded people – often posting about where they are headed next asking for meet-ups. When I travelled to Indonesia, I joined 3 solo female travel groups – this is where I met all of my friends. We would be in the same place and plan to meet at a coffee shop, chat, get to know each other and then plan little trips together for the future. It’s an amazing resource that I highly recommend you check out! I also feel that I need to add a disclaimer: remember it’s also important to prioritize your safety. Ensure you are meeting other people in a public location during the daytime, and making smart choices about the people you choose to surround yourself with.
Tip #3: Do things by yourself
- This is a hard one but important. When you’re travelling solo you have to get used to doing things by yourself. Eating out alone is a good example. I used to eat breakfast everyday at the same restaurant by myself, but it was wonderful. Take those moments to really be with yourself and create this sense of independence – I can do it on my own! And you never know – you might just make a friend while you’re sitting at the bar eating breakfast by yourself. This tip translates into other areas as well. Join a surf camp by yourself, take horseback riding lessons, a guided tour or attend a yoga retreat. The more that you branch out and do things on your own, the more people you will meet who are doing the exact same thing as you.
