Are you afraid to go on a solo trip because you’ll fear you will get lonely?
How can you avoid getting lonely during a solo travel trip? I have been on multiple solo trips, from flying to a destination and road tripping there. My favorite are road trips, but these tips will work for any type of solo trip you take.
Why do I love solo traveling?
In short, I find it therapeutic to drive by myself, sing my heart out, and make any stop I want on the way because I’m the only one making the decisions. After I had gone through something, such as a big change in my life, like a breakup or moving to a new state. I found such relief and refresh in taking a solo road trip. I was able to rebalance myself and remind me who I am. How amazing I am, and how amazing the world around me is.
When you travel alone, you appreciate much more about the world around you, because that’s all you have to focus on. The views, the coffee shops, how friendly the gas station employees are, or how bright the sunset really is. Being on a solo road trip, is a lonely experience but equally as liberating.
Here are my top 6 tips to help battle the solo travel blues!
#1 Know that you will feel lonely
It’s okay to feel lonely, recognize you feel lonely, and move on from it. You can go through this emotion, but don’t let it get you down and stop you from exploring whatever amazing location you’re at. This could be as little as going out to the restaurant you want to try, or work at the coffee shop you want while you’re away. Own that you are alone, and how much stronger being alone is making you on this trip!
#2 Keep up with your basic needs
Whether this is waking up and taking a shower, washing your face and brushing your teeth. Or keeping a routine similar to what you do at home, to make yourself still have the sense of home to fulfil the loneliness. For me, this is something I do, no matter where I am. I have to wash my face, apply face lotion, and brush my teeth.
#3 Have a general plan and stick with it
It’s great to have a general idea of what you want to do, what to see and the outline of your travels. This will keep you on track, give you something to focus on, and a timeline to stick to to see all that you want.
I try to plan in at least 3 must see’s in a day.
- Usually something effortless such as watching a sunset or sunrise.
- A group activity, such as a tour or a location where other people will be around, like a national park.
- Lastly, one restaurant or bar I want to check out or a location, I want to make dinner dinner at.
#4 Make an amazing playlist
If you’re going on a solo trip to rediscover yourself, don’t play those sad break up songs, or the song your ex dedicated to you. Play those empowering bad a$% songs, that you can sing loudly with every word. Find a playlist, that makes you happy, makes you feel good vibes, and leaves your throat sore from singing so loudly.
I saw a trend recently where you ask every person you come across, what their favorite song is. You can build a playlist special just for that trip. I want to try this next time, I make my next solo road trip! You can also substitute this for pod casts, if you’re into that!
#5 Catch up with friends and family
On this trip, you are most likely going to be driving a lot, or having some more down time than usual. This is a great time to call your college best friend, and catch up because you can chat for hours. Give your grandma a call, and let her know your plans for your trip. Any of these friends, could even have some recommendations on where to go and what to see if they’ve been! Maybe, this is your time to meet up with someone, you have always wanted to meet off Instagram or another social media platform! Bite the bullet, and reach out to them, and maybe they can show you the local spot wherever you’re headed!
#6 Embrace being alone
One amazing gift that solo traveling can give you, is that you are forced to embrace who you are. You find all this out just by being alone. To be able to fall in love with yourself, find your strengths and learn your weakness. All while exploring a beautiful place is a memory you will cherish. If you allow yourself to embrace, cherish and follow your heart to become the best version of yourself – you will be empowered to continue to travel alone.
