When You Are Traveling Alone
You can find a lot of reasons which are going to keep you from traveling, particularly a long trip. One of the principal ones is when you don’t have anyone to go with. Someone studies, someone is working, someone can’t afford traveling at the moment, and someone doesn’t like the place you want to go to. That is why we decided to talk about the fears people face when they decide to travel alone, and how to deal with them.
In fact, these aren’t exactly fears, it is more like ordinary worries.
What if I’m late for plane/bus/…?
For many, this thought becomes simply paranoid and makes a person come much earlier than it is necessary. There is no need to say much – such fear usually stays with you for life. Some people don’t forget to mention about the bad luck: some can manage the time accurately and arrive just when it is necessary, while the others will sure stuck in a traffic jam, even if never there were never traffic jams in the area ever before. So, just plan the time for transport and try to worry over something you cannot control less. They say our thoughts are material.
What if I get lost?
Of course, it is worse to get lost when you are alone than when you go somewhere with a friend. However, don’t make this a global problem. Always write down an address of the place where you left off, or take a business card. Buy a paper map (then you can leave it as a memory), mark important or noteworthy places that will help you to navigate better.
What if I don’t meet nice people?
Needless to say, constant loneliness makes you get bored sometimes. So what to do when you get to a place quite different from anything else you’ve ever seen before – with other traditions, lifestyle, worldview? Actually, there are nice people everywhere; you just need to communicate with the others. And remember that you are the person who will have to adapt. If everything is really bad and it is possible to move on – just go.
Or maybe it’ll happen vice versa – you will meet interesting people and even slightly change the planned route. The main thing is not to be afraid to talk to strangers.
What if I start missing home?
When something fails or does not happen quite the way you would like it to happen, this feeling can’t be avoided. And then such a boring home life doesn’t seem that boring now. Your room is so spacious. Your bed is so soft. But the more you travel, the less you miss home. Don’t get upset. It is better to take everything positively, to stock up with emotions and memories. It is more logical to miss traveling when you stay at home for a long time.
What if I get sick?
Nobody is protected from this. There are several obvious things worth remembering, though. Before departing, check whether the vaccination is required. Get insurance – it’s inexpensive, but it can be really helpful. And if you are sick, just relax. Acclimatization doesn’t count for a disease – it is not something you can resist. To avoid trouble, remember some, again, obvious things. Drink clean bottled water. It’s better not to buy food from street stalls with an uncertain look. It is better to eat traditional local food. Listen to your own intuition, and common sense – they are usually right.
What if I’ll be left without money?
Yes, there are so many suspicious people on the streets, I’m inattentive and I lose everything, and I spend money for buying unnecessary things, and even spiteful ATM wants to take my bank card away. It is good to have a spare bank card and cash stored in different locations.
What if I get attacked?
This fear could be truly supposed to be the greatest and the most common one. Do not wander in disadvantaged areas. If you are entangled – do not panic; at least, don’t look like you are panicking. Go back in the direction you came from quickly and confidently. If you are completely paranoid or go to places where no one knows what to expect, you can take some lessons on self-defense, buy a shocker or a pepper-spray projectile. And don’t forget about running in the evening. Hopefully, you won’t need that, but still.
Actually, traveling alone isn’t that bad. It may appear an unusual practice for someone, but still. The main thing is to be prepared.
Learn as much as possible
Someone likes surprises, someone prefers planned travels. Actually, there is no correct option – each has his own preferences. But even a little element of surprise is what makes each trip interesting. Turn around the corner and walk down an unfamiliar street. Go to a cafe you liked. But still, it is better to learn something at least about the main things – most prominent place, places locals like to visit, safer areas, how to get from the airport to the hostel or the city center. In short, pay attention to the essentials.
Intuition
Jokes aside, intuition really works. Did it ever happen that you had to tell yourself, “I knew it!” or something of a kind? If you think that you need to go the other way or to come back somewhere the next day, just do it.
Be prepared to be left alone with yourself
Some people become lonely, someone is surprised by unexpected thoughts hard to drive away. It doesn’t always happen so, but when traveling alone, you get a good chance to gather the thoughts.
Do not forget about your home
Traveling alone doesn’t mean burning bridges and dissociating yourself from the world. Meet new people – it is a must-do part. Do not forget about those you’ll meet when you return home. Send some pictures to parents and friends. Tell them where you’ve been and what you’ve managed to see. Or sent some postcards, it is even better.
Do only what you want to do
Eventually, it is why you decided to travel. There are enough restrictions and obligations waiting for you at home, and you’ve got a chance to escape for a while.
Do not forget to take something which makes you comfortable
It doesn’t mean taking the half of the stuff you’ve ever possessed – of course, it is not necessary. But you can take your favorite book. Jeans. Sneakers. Notebook. Key fob. To make a long story short, don’t forget about the things to which you are accustomed to – they always make you feel comfortable.
Be careful
The difference between trusting people and trusting no one can be very difficult to find sometimes. Here, again, it is more about common sense. Don’t leave valuables unattended, don’t walk in areas with a bad reputation, don’t behave as a frightened tourist.
Be responsible
Do not forget that when traveling alone, you are the only one responsible for yourself. There are no friends to help you out from some troubles.
Do not be afraid to change
Journey is not always about finding yourself. However, if you’ve found something new, began to treat some things differently, or have decided to change something – go for it!