Traveling alone can be very daunting, especially when doing it for the first time. Anxiety, nerves and stress before and during such trips is very common and completely normal. Everyone experiences some kind of fear and worry when traveling alone at some point in their journey. However, this fear should not stop you from going out and seeing the world. Most people look back on their experiences with fondness and realize that the worries they had were mostly in their heads.
Here are some tips to help relieve some of the nerves of solo travel:
1. Take the journey one step at a time:
Traveling far distances can be intimidating and overwhelming. Instead of looking at the journey as going from one country to another, break it down into smaller steps. First step is to get to the airport, then get past security, then find your gate, get on the plane, etc… Breaking it down like this makes the trip less intimidating and before you know it, you will have arrived!
2. Stay organized
Make sure to stay organized while traveling. Keep track of your passport and wallet. Put all important documents in one folder and write down any important dates, flights or times that you need to know. This will help keep your head clear. You will avoid missing any important events, thus avoiding further stress.
3. Remember why you decided to travel in the first place
Think back to why you booked your trip in the first place. How excited you were about just the thought of visiting a new place. Think of all the amazing memories you will make and how much you’ll regret it if you don’t go. Whenever you get nervous about traveling just think back to your initial motivation.
4. Stay positive.
Try to stay optimistic and look on the bright side of things. Rather than thinking that you’ll be alone, think of how many new people you will meet. Instead of worrying about how homesick you are, think of all the cool experiences you will have and be able to share when you get home. Even if something does go wrong, think that you will have an interesting story to share in the future.
5. Try to avoid forming expectations
If you form specific expectations of what your experience is going to be like, you are bound to be disappointed at some point. No experience is the same and if you have high expectations, you will constantly be comparing your experience to them. Let your expectations go, open yourself up to the world and embrace any experience that comes your way.
6. Remember that you are not alone
Once you start solo traveling, you will realize how many other people travel alone as well. Everyone has the same fears and worries about solo travel, even if they don’t seem like they do. If you ever feel anxious or scared about traveling alone, remember that this is totally normal. This shouldn’t stop you from going and will only make you grow stronger.
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