Solo Travel: Overcoming Fear And Anxiety – Afraid to travel alone? I was too. An honest reflection of how I learned to overcome my fear of traveling alone.
Here’s a confession: even though I’ve been traveling solo for years, sometimes the thought of being somewhere remote with no familiar face or language can send shivers down my spine. My mind inexplicably conjures up worst-case scenarios and I shut myself up in my little shell
Solo Travel: Overcoming Fear And Anxiety
If you too are afraid of traveling alone, here are some personal tips on how I try to overcome my anxiety and fear of traveling alone:
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Our emotions are usually a reflection of the thoughts in our mind. So to cheer myself up as I leave the adventure solo, I focus on the romance of solitude; I imagine happily gazing at snow-capped mountain peaks without a care or exchanging life stories with a stranger whose life may be very different from mine, but our souls sing the same tune. Indeed, before I left for Guatemala, my first encounter with Central America, I calmed my nerves by imagining myself speaking flawless Spanish with a Mayan woman and becoming friends for life! (My trip was pretty close to my imagination). Firing your imagination may seem like a small thing, but I’ve found that it can change the way you approach solo travel.
I can only control the wanderings of my mind. The people I hang out with, the movies I watch, the music I listen to, and the books I read shape the rest of my worldview. Since I communicate more online than offline, I keep a close eye on the travels of other travelers on Twitter and Facebook, drawing inspiration from their adventures. On my most recent trip to Kumaon, where I had to walk alone for three days – with a local guide and no contact – through remote villages, I drew inspiration from Sorrel Wilby’s book Journey Through Tibet, which documented her solo trek across the roof of the world! It’s hard not to be influenced by your company – virtually or otherwise – so choose wisely.
Afraid to travel alone? This is me having dinner in the “cruelest place on earth” – Honduras. Let there be shortcuts.
As obvious as it may seem, hearing horror stories about faraway places can make anyone reconsider traveling alone. Even after all these years of traveling alone, listening to my mother’s endless fears can dampen my spirit. As an adult, I believe in taking precautions for my own safety and I don’t need anyone worrying about me at home. I also choose not to read media reports that promote fear of travel to countries deemed unsafe; instead, I try to look for travelers from the past to get a fair appreciation of the place. The truth is that the news about India (or, say, Honduras) and my own experience of traveling there are so different that the former no longer affects me.
Films About Overcoming Worry, Fear Or Anxiety With Strong Leading Ladies
Before you label me as a reckless traveler, know that I take every precaution to make sure I’m safe. If not my parents, I always have a trusted friend who knows my plans and whereabouts. If not news, I thoroughly research my destinations through blogs and travel forums. And so, to be prepared for the worst, I carry an electric Taser and pepper spray with me wherever I go, keep local police numbers handy, trust my gut, and try to stay out of difficult situations.
For me, this is one of the most important aspects of shaping my solo adventures. I spend days researching to decide where to travel and where to stay. I like talking to the locals and learning about their way of life and it’s always nice to have someone look after me in an unknown place, so I choose accommodation where I’m personally hosted by someone, usually Airbnb or family, and a lot in which I rely on the reviews of past travelers. There will always be unexpected adventures, but having a clear idea of what I’m getting myself into goes a long way toward assuaging the anxiety of traveling alone.
For me, the first step out the door is not the hardest. It’s usually the first night or day after I haven’t been alone for a while, when the bed, the room, the walls, the darkness, everything seems lonely. That’s when I remind myself of the romantic images I’ve made up, inspire myself to express my introverted self and make new friends. After the robbery in Costa Rica a few months ago, I felt devastated and so far away from everyone I knew. I had to rely on myself to cheer myself up and find the inner strength to keep going, and sitting on the beach, drinking beer, walking by myself did wonders!
Open yourself to the kindness of local residents; it turns the fear of traveling alone into a joy that keeps you on the road
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On my first solo trip to the high and remote Spiti Mountains, I was so busy fighting battles at home that I was thrilled to finally go. But my energy waned as I began to contemplate the long moon that lay before me; am I really up for the challenge? I quickly learned that a simple smile was enough to break the ice with mountain people, everyone had a story to share and I was unlikely to ever be alone. And so it was in the rest of the world – from Bahrain to Romania; even an introvert like me was able to come out of my shell and see the kindness of strangers.
I’m not the kind of person who disconnects from social media when I travel. In fact, I get a lot of confidence from my followers and readers, as a simple like, retweet, or word of encouragement can change my state.
When the going gets tough, all I have to do is go online and look through my timelines to find motivation in the adventures of fellow travelers or even a beautiful picture of some faraway place. And for my part, I hope that my adventures will inspire someone else to step out of their comfort zone.
Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveler, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant, and environmentalist. But at heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – when done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in. Understanding how to overcome solo travel anxiety is one of the byproducts of solo travel. I started hyperventilating at Chicago O’Hare Airport on my first solo trip to Mexico. I was afraid.
Reasons Why You Should Travel Solo At Least Once
I was not afraid that I would not be able to make the trip. But I didn’t know anyone in Mexico at the time. Therefore, my worries about traveling alone were constantly replayed in my mind.
That first solo trip was the first time I went anywhere and no one was waiting for me. I had to figure out a quick way to get over the anxiety of traveling alone. And since then I have performed solo in Panama, Guatemala, Amsterdam, London and Mexico. Here are some tips I’ve learned that I want to share with you as a black female traveler.
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Rebuke these nagging thoughts! Acting out what could go wrong increases your anxiety. I would think of all the possible encounters with racists I could have while traveling alone. Or what if someone robbed me?
Overcoming Anxiety And Panic Attacks To Enjoy Solo Travel
While no place is exempt from crime, overthinking won’t help you. Focus on the positive and opportunities for new experiences. It also greatly alleviates the fear of solo travel.
To reduce the anxiety of traveling alone, consider a closer destination. Instead of booking a solo trip abroad, start with self-guided activities. These outings include trips to the movies, dinner, or even a solo concert.
The more comfortable you are, the better. Then you can visit new cities in your country before you go abroad. So don’t be nervous as exercise helps you overcome the anxiety of traveling alone.
There is nothing better than a good night’s sleep! And as a solo traveler, this is necessary because you are responsible for yourself when the day of travel arrives. Be sleepy
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Anxiety is not a good combination, so rest. You want to wake up to go on a solo trip.
Understanding how to overcome solo travel anxiety means adding tools to your travel toolkit. Thus, stress management techniques are tools designed to reduce high-intensity emotional situations. Meditation and deep breathing are easy stress relievers you can do on the go.
Journaling is my way of dealing with the jitters of solo travel! I like to write and collect my thoughts so that I can reflect on them now and remember them later. Keeping a travel diary
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