You can’t avoid experiencing first-time solo travel loneliness because you have no one else to rely on but yourself. It’s normal to feel this way, especially if you have been traveling with your family and friends for the majority of your life. But if you want to take traveling to the next level, then trying out solo traveling will be one of the coolest adventures of your life.
As you can see, there are lots of benefits for the solo traveler. You can have an opportunity to get to know yourself better since you are spending all of your time with your thoughts. You can discover an unexpected skill or strength you didn’t know you had. You can do whatever you want because there’s no one else to take into consideration. And the list goes on.
Some have embarked on travels alone to mark a new chapter in life, especially if they have experienced major heartbreak like ending a long-term relationship or losing a loved one. Some take on solo traveling simply to escape a stressful life and take in new scenery. Since the goal is to cheer yourself up and forget all the things that are pulling you down, you need to learn to handle loneliness when you’re out there traveling alone.
In this article, you will learn some practical yet effective ways to avoid first-time solo travel loneliness and have a memorable time exploring on your own.
Contents
Book or Join a Tour
We highly recommended that you book a tour if it’s your first time traveling solo. Why, you might ask? Joining a tour allows you to have time to adjust to solo traveling and helps you to gain experiences that will aid you in your future solo travels.
Traveling can be a daunting activity, even more so if you travel solo, since you need to prepare everything by yourself. Having a guide with you, however, can greatly reduce stress as you are joining a planned itinerary and you can have an idea of the places you will go and the things you will do.
Since you will be grouped with other travelers, you will have a chance to gain new friends. Therefore, you won’t feel so alone, lonely, and homesick.
And once you think you’re ready to go entirely solo, you will already have the basic knowledge and skills you need which you have learned by joining this kind of tour. Also, get some of the useful solo travel apps installed on your phone for your assistance and get outdoors.
Research about Your Destination
As you travel solo, you don’t have anyone else to help you when you get lost or don’t know what to do. If you were ever a child in the grocery store who lost their parent, you might find yourself feeling that same fear and stress once again!
The best way to avoid this happening is to research everything about your desired destination such as the attractions you can visit, foods you can eat, the budget you need, transportation, travel map, route, etc. In doing so, you are familiarizing yourself with what it’s like when you arrive at the place. Try to avoid crossing the budget that you planned for. You can always spend the extra amount at the end but don’t overspend at the very beginning. To maintain this here’re some simple hacks for budget solo travel.
Of course, it will be different when you arrive, but at least you won’t get so anxious and nervous because you will have more knowledge of your options and surroundings.
Connect with Your Family and Friends
Connecting with your loved ones while you are away can bring mixed emotions. You might feel quite happy and relieved to be able to talk with them online and share your stories and pictures from your travels. Of course, this may also bring on feelings of loneliness and homesickness, reminding you of the distance between you and your family.
Regardless of what you will feel, this contact may help you realize that you are not alone and that you don’t need to feel lonely. After all, there are still people who are proud of what you are doing because not everyone has the guts to travel alone. And the best part, you still have someone to welcome you back home after a long, tiring trip.
So whenever you start to feel lonely, have a rest in a place where you can have access to the internet– whether it is in your hostel, a coffee shop, or a restaurant– where you can freely chat with your family and friends back home.
Don’t be Afraid to Talk to Strangers
As the saying goes, “No man is an island.” Humans are made to interact and be with each other to survive. So even if you are on your own, it will make you feel less lonely if you try to socialize and talk to other people.
If you are an introvert, talking to strangers is probably not your thing. But it is not an excuse if you are traveling solo. Even introverted people ought to take courage and talk to strangers to help overcome first-time solo travel loneliness.
If you will be staying in a hostel or joining a tour, you can’t avoid talking to people you don’t know because conversations are almost certain to come up in the group. Embrace the small talk, because it may spark a new friendship!
Talking to strangers is one of the most important skills you need to learn as a first-time solo traveler since you will be needing help and guidance from them as you wander off alone on your adventure.
Be Friendly with the Locals
First-time solo travel loneliness can be lessened if you try to be friendly with the locals. It’s a sign of respect for the place you are visiting and the best way to learn their culture. Thus, making your trip more meaningful and joyful.
Most locals love to accommodate travelers in their homeland, so it shouldn’t be hard for you to approach them. Whenever some locals greet you, be sure to exchange it with a smile and you won’t notice the feeling of being lonely in a foreign place.
Plus, if you are kind to them and they like your vibe, they might offer you the best deals and treats to make your trip more special and memorable!
Read or Write Along the Way
During the long hours of a flight or a train ride, you might find yourself getting lonely and sentimental as you are sitting alone and looking out of the window at the unfamiliar scenery. When faced with these overwhelming emotions, it may be helpful to give expression to them externally.
Journaling can be a helpful activity to occupy your mind and keep lonely thoughts at bay. Try writing in a notebook or starting a travel journal. Additionally, try reading your favorite book or a new one you’ve been wanting to read.
As you try to transform the loneliness you feel inside with something worthy to do, it can help you make the most of the solitude you have. You may return from your travels with a new appreciation for writing and reading!
Take Your Time and be Patient with Yourself
Of course, no matter what you do, at the end of the day, you will likely still face loneliness when you are traveling alone. And since you are a first-timer, you are the most likely to experience it the most.
Our best advice to you is this: be patient with yourself. It’s okay to cry and let your emotions flow when you find it hard to continue the journey on your own. No one else can see your tears but you, so take the opportunity to let yourself feel your emotions.
Being lonely when traveling can make your journey more meaningful and memorable. So take your time and be true to what you are feeling. Use it as an opportunity instead to think of better ways to make your trip more exciting and worthwhile.
Remember that traveling is one of the best therapeutic ways to help you live a joyful life.
Choose the Best Accommodation to Help You Beat First-Time Solo Travel Loneliness
Our emotions are connected with our body, so if you are feeling lonely while traveling, it might just be a sign that you are fatigued from the trip.
When you need a place where you can relax when you are getting tired and feeling blue, a cozy and comfy accommodation can help solve the problem. For a first-time solo traveler, booking the right place is a crucial thing to help you deal with the loneliness of being alone on your trip.
Rental Trader offers a variety of vacation rentals to provide you the best place to stay while traveling in the USA. You can choose from hotels, hostels, apartments, or bed and breakfast. These places are the best spots where you can meet and greet other travelers as well.
Since there are lots of options to choose from, make sure to book the accommodation which you think will be convenient for you to stay in and can cater to your needs. For more information about Rental Trader, see our Contact page to fill out the web form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
There are many ways for you to overcome first-time solo travel loneliness, so don’t be afraid to wander on your own. Adventure awaits those who are brave to take it. Embrace your independence and solitude, and explore the world on your own.
