Travelling alone is one of the most rewarding (and sometimes hard-going) experiences you can have. Beyond the beautiful places and new friends, solo journeys teach you a lot about yourself and the world. What it gave me were plenty of surprises, a few bruises, and life lessons I never expected to learn on the road. These are my favourite solo travel lessons so far – part diary, part survival guide, and all honest.
Solo Travel Isn’t About ‘Finding Yourself’
1. You won’t necessarily ‘find yourself’ by travelling about, but it will provide wonderful opportunities for some serious self-reflection. I like to jot those moments down and re-read them later. This is precisely what inspires my writing and this collection of travel diaries.
Talking to Locals is One of the Best Solo Travel Lessons
2. Engaging with the locals in various countries and hearing their perspectives of the world, has led me to question some of my own set views, and have humbled me as well. I’m learning to grasp these opportunities whenever they arise, and value the feeling of global connectedness.
Appreciate Comfort More Than You Think
3. Be prepared for hard times. A comfy bed is a godsend, and an umbrella can become your best ally that shields you from both rain and shine. I’ve found that if I am well-fed, dry, fit and well-rested, then you can endure just about anything – no matter where you find yourself.
People Come and Go — and That’s Okay
4. People will come and go as a solo traveller. Despite making meaningful connections while solo travelling, these are mostly transitory even though one sometimes wishes for something more permanent. I found it important to accept that, no matter how much you feel like you’re falling in love or forming a life-long bond. Chasing such a thing is natural, but it’s best not to get too attached.
A Smile is the Simplest Universal Language
5. A smile can go a long way. I’ve smiled until my face has hurt. It’s an instant way to connect with strangers, and both giver and receiver benefit. It may not be due to hearing a funny joke, or being genuinely pleased about something that you’ve achieved, but just sharing a smile with a fellow human being can make their day (and yours).
Ask for Advice, but Filter it Through Your Own Lens
6. Asking for advice from your fellow humans is never a bad idea. Just know that they are giving advice based on their own experiences and what they believe would work best for themselves (often unconsciously), but take it and assess. Even so, it is always interesting to get someone else’s perspective.
Rent Wheels and Get Blissfully Lost
7. Buy or rent a bike/car/boat – anything that you can use to experience the pure freedom of moving your butt about independently. Some of my best experiences were riding in a general direction and coming across unexpected delights off the beaten track.
Money Matters, but Freedom Matters More
8. Although not everyone has this luxury, I have trained myself not to obsess about money and fill my hours with work. Such freedom is priceless. I have discovered how to live cheaply, and have faith that I will be able to make more money when needed. There are plenty of places where you could live cheaply and not be so focused on your bank balance. You could volunteer at places in exchange for food and lodge.
Embrace Your Inner Child and Make Life a Game
9. Embrace your Inner Child. We should all be doing/remembering/being taught this at any stage of our short lives. Play, play, PLAY! Personally, I find it helpful to think of Life as a Game, so I’m playing harder, embracing my Inner Child and dance my ass off at any given moment. I personally just follow my ears and gravitate towards live music or karaoke singing.
Stay Connected to Your Tribe, Even From Afar
10. Being away from family and friends for prolonged periods of time is not easy. I’ve found it important to stay connected to my tribe. The joy of the Internet Era makes this very easy to do. Solo travel also encourages you to do this more often than you usually would.
Solo travel won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it. These solo travel lessons are ones I’ll carry with me forever – and maybe they’ll inspire your own solo journey too. Much love to all.
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