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Start slowly when you travel solo
Iād never considered traveling on my own until last summer. Between being single and the difficulties coordinating my diary with my friends, I decided to do a little solo road trip in France. I admit that I didnāt take any big risks, but I think that for a first trip on my own, itās already pretty good!
š Thatās my first piece of advice, you have to go little by little. Especially if, like me, you have a lot of fears inside you, like not being able to manage the trip or even feeling lonely.
How to travel alone as a woman?
Iād like to say that I wasnāt apprehensive about my trip, but thatās not the case because I suffer from anticipatory anxiety. Moreover, Iād decided to stay in a tent, the idea of it! A lot of things were going through my mind: I wonāt be able to put the tent up on my own, Iāll get lost, what if I break down, etc. The problem is that as a woman, I was always taught to ask for help. So I always have this feeling that I wonāt manage it alone.
šŖ As a feminist, I decided to throw out all of these fears telling me I wouldnāt manage it. In the end, itās the start thatās the most complicated. Once youāre on the road, itās such a feeling of freedom! I didnāt think Iād be able to manage all the little organizational details, but there are always ways to manage on your own.
The fear of loneliness
Iām someone who likes being on my own, but not all the timeā¦ Indeed, solitude doesnāt bother me when Iām at home or when I have to work, etc. But as soon as I have to share an experience, I like to be accompanied by the people I like: restaurants, cinema, museums andā¦ traveling!
šæ Last year, I had no choice but to take a leap of faith. I really needed to get some fresh air, and especially to avoid depression after the 1st lockdown.
Finding yourself
So in the end, did I like traveling on my own? At the beginning, it was complicated. It took me a few days to get used to it. Then I realized that I was on holiday and that I had to enjoy myself! Once I got over that, I honestly loved traveling solo. I organized little visits to different places, I treated myself by eating in lovely restaurants, etc. This solo trip taught me a lot of things about myself, I took the time to meditate and reflect on what I wanted in lifeā¦ In short, it did me a lot of good š§āāļø.
Surprise encounters
What I didnāt expect at all was to create bonds! As I said, once Iād found my rhythm, I wasnāt sad not to be with someone. So I was surprised to meet people! Indeed, when youāre on your own, I find that youāre more observant and open to others. Itās easier to interact with people that gravitate around you. For this reason alone and these moments of joy, I want to travel on my own and meet people from all around the world.
3 tips for traveling on your own as a woman
From my experience, even though I didnāt go to the other side of the world, I can give you some tips for traveling on your own. Plus, I know Iāll be able to use them when we can travel abroad normally again.
1. Prepare the trip well šŗļø
This is something that put my mind at ease tremendously. It enabled me to get rid of my anxiety by preparing as much as possible: route itinerary, practicing pitching a tent, reserving campsites, buying equipment, etc. The more Iām prepared, the more reassured I am! Some people manage to leave on a whim with just a backpack, but I know that Iām not capable of that (yet?). Itās up to each of us to see what we need to do.
2. Choose your destination āļø
When you travel on your own, choosing your destination is important. Personally, I stayed in Europe, so I didnāt feel unsafe. However, there are countries in the world where itās quite dangerous for a woman to travel on her own. Here are my top 3 destinations for solo trips:
- Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland.
- Asian countries: Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong.
- North America: USA and especially Canada.
3. Find things to do šø
I loved planning visits to places or discovering things Iād like to see. It helps you to not feel lonely as youāre busy all day. You donāt have the time to feel lonely! Likewise, in the quieter moments like the evening, Iād brought my e-book reader and even my laptop to watch series. I loved this feeling that I was really enjoying myself.
Traveling alone with nuance
There are Facebook groups, such as solo traveler, which allow you to find other women who want to visit the same destination. This could be a solution: traveling on your own but with company, a bit like a mother running away from home. And if you have friends that live across France (or the world), you can always stop by their house to say hello during your journey!
š āāļø In any case, itās important not to force yourself to travel. Some people arenāt made to move, they might even hate traveling! Others arenāt comfortable with the idea of being without company. Itās a real exercise. Itās up to each of us to listen to ourselves and see whether it can be envisaged.
Editor's opinion: Because we all need help and adviceMany women love discovering the world on their own, but thatās not the case for everyone! Itās up to you to discover what you like and what makes you tick. If you have trouble finding your place, your path, or if you lack self-confidence, don't hesitate to reach out to people who've tried the experience. š¤ Understand yourself, accept yourself, be happy... Letās do it here and now! #BornToBeMe |
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