People who travel solo for the first time often describe their journey as an enlightening experience.
Every trip is an incredible experience. Travelling is considered a journey you take into yourself (it is also the most underrated investment when it comes to enriching oneself). The notion of traveling and that too alone can be quite daunting, especially for the first-timer. However, the stigma attached to taking a solo trip is slowly fading as more people take the plunge. Let’s find out why.
The Perks Of Traveling Solo
Taking in new surroundings unfiltered by the tastes, prejudices, or preferences of a companion can be exhilarating. Going solo can be intimidating, but traveling alone teaches you valuable life lessons and gives you time to indulge in yourself. You can sit and contemplate your life amidst the magnificent mountains, or you can sit and observe the sheer beauty of nature for as long as you want without having to worry about ruining another person’s day.
You can check this blog out to know when solo traveling is the best option for you.
What Should You Keep In Mind Before Traveling On Your Own?
Before you jump on the bandwagon to go on your first-ever solo trip, here are certain things that you must remember:
Choose Location Wisely
Choosing the right location is very crucial. You will be more pleased and open to experiences if you visit an area of your interest. Know the peace and the safety index of your desired destination before you head on to it. Travel to a location that is a safe space for you to explore and has an established tourism infrastructure.
Do Your Homework
It is essential to have some knowledge about the place you are going to visit. You should research extensively about the site and get familiar with the overall vibe (the local culture, the weather conditions, etc.). Scour articles, books, blogs, etc. for gathering information on your destination because you surely don’t want to get into trouble or have a boring pre-planned itinerary.
Pre-Plan Your Initial Days
On your first solo trip, you might feel overwhelming in the beginning. It is crucial to make things easy for yourself not to feel intimidating in a foreign country. Book your accommodation beforehand, schedule your airport pickup, arrange a few tours, and take other necessary steps after doing plenty of research. Pre-planning gives you more clarity and purpose.
Pack Light
One of the most unpleasant components of your solo travel will be carrying your bags. You will have to take that load wherever you go, so make sure to keep it light. Note down the things you need and shortlist your essentials. Avoid unnecessary items like extra clothes, and remember to carry your requirements not to get a shock when you reach your destination.
Utilize Technology
Traveling solo is all about depending on yourself, but that shouldn’t be a barrier to using every other resource because nothing is ashaming about utilizing your phone in times of need. Today, the technology comes to your rescue in different situations, so don’t compromise on that. You can use various apps like Google Maps when you’re struggling with directions; Google Translate when you’re struggling with language (best thing is that these apps have offline versions too when you don’t get internet service).
Blend In
Solo traveling is all about putting yourself out there completely. Traveling is not about the destination, but it is the experience that counts. Meet people and be amicable to them, make new friends, and share stories. Shed your inhibitions and be open to the locals. Try to learn the local language, practice the local style, basically imbibe the local culture. Engage in conversations with the locals to get an insight into their world. Most importantly, make sure you do not restrict yourself to touristy things.
Enjoy Your Own Company
Usually, people loathe spending time alone because it is equated with being lonely. Solo travel exposes the falseness of the belief that being alone means being lonely without friends. It will surprise you to see how much you can enjoy and have fun all by yourself. You get to reflect on yourself and discover things about yourself, which you generally don’t do in your otherwise busy life.
Conclusion
The most important thing is to remember that anything can go down during your first ever solo trip, so it is better to head out without expectations. There’s no way to predict the possible obstacles, so don’t dampen your spirits with the unnecessary pressure of expectations. Give life a chance and be open to experience and try to stay positive. When you head out and experience whatever life throws at you, the unexpected twists and turns will indeed form an unforgettable experience with a bag full of stories to tell others.
Now that you are entirely aware of what to keep in mind do check out this list of best places for you to travel alone.
