I love to travel, that is no secret. I have travelled all over the world as part of a group and as a solo traveller – there are good and bad things about both. In this blog, I will be honest about the highs and lows of solo travel.
As a solo traveller, you take on multiple roles. You are navigator, itinerary planner, motivator, first aider, teacher, guardian, parent, provider of drinks and snacks, DJ, ticket holder, organiser, packer and so much more! While travelling through Europe, a friend I made said that travelling solo is “not stressing but subconsciously stressing” which we came to the conclusion meant that while you’re having a great time travelling, you subconsciously have to think about everything all at once which can be crazy but also really rewarding.
Solo travel is tiring. You’ve got multiple roles and with no one else to keep you going or take on some of the responsibility, it can be quite exhausting. Thinking back to Australia East Coast, the reason I was able to do so much was because there was someone else with me and we kept each other going even when we were exhausted. It can be tough to keep yourself motivated at times but it is important to remember that what you are doing is incredible (and people are so in awe of what you’re doing).
It is lonely but freeing at the same time. I like being able to do what I want but at the same time, I wish there was someone to keep me company and share the experience with. I have seen so much and done a lot of cool things and sometimes it’s really hard when people say “oh, wow, you’re so brave doing this on your own” – I love sharing the experiences with other people but also it’s nice to tell the stories when I get home. The upside of being solo means that if I want a rest day, I can and I don’t have to feel guilty about it or feel like I’m letting someone down but not wanting to go out and do an activity.
Introvert vs Extrovert. I wouldn’t considered myself an extrovert (I like my own space and need to recharge my batteries after socialising) but I find it really hard when staying in hostels and people aren’t social. In Australia, everyone was so chatty and friendly but in Europe, sometimes I struggled to even get a “hello” from roommates. Having other travellers to talk to really makes a difference. Even if you never speak to those people again, passing on recommendations or hanging out for a little while can make all the difference to your trip. Don’t underestimate the power of a simple “hello”.
Being sick is a huge challenge. When in Florence, I had a chest infection and felt dreadful – I felt guilty for not going out and exploring more but I just didn’t physically have the energy to do so. I had one full day trip and one half day trip and literally had to force myself to go do the trips. In Australia, I got COVID and was made to leave the hostel I was staying in. It was so stressful because I was so poorly and felt like no one was helping me until eventually the government returned my calls and put me up in an isolation facility. No one wants to be sick while they are travelling but sometimes, it just happens. Look after yourself and ask for help if you need it. Top tip – get an e-SIM so you have access to internet and can use google translate if you need to go to a pharmacy.
One for the ladies… Period fatigue - I’d not really experienced this much before but it had me feeling really **** and really exhausted. Like my whole body was aching and I could not sleep because of it. Being alone meant having to look after myself and when you’re feeling this kind of fatigue it’s hard to be alone and look after yourself. It suckssssssss…
Look after yourself. It is important to make sure you have rest days and treats when travelling solo. As I’ve already covered, it can be pretty tiring going solo. Factor in rest days or treats (like good food) to your travel plans or be spontaneous – it’ll really help you reset. There were a few days throughout my trip around Europe that I left open so that I could just do nothing – one of my favourite rest days was in Berlin, it was snowing outside and I just journalled, watched movies and just stayed cosy all day. Get out and see the places you visit but, take time for yourself and your wellbeing – you can’t enjoy travelling if you’re burnt out.
I hope this blog has given you some insight into solo travelling. This was my honest view on going solo and I realise that it is a different experience for each individual person. If you have been travelling solo before, you really need to give yourself a pat on the back because it isn’t easy. If you are planning a solo trip, I hope this has helped you prepare a little.
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