How To Overcome Loneliness While Traveling Solo
Considering a solo trip, but scared you might feel lonely, sad or homesick? Well, you’re not alone. I used to be scared of that too. It wasn’t until Christmas 2017, the first Christmas after my dad passed away, that I finally decided to give solo travel a try.
I’m not really sure at what point I stopped being so scared of traveling alone and started preferring it over other ways of seeing the world, but I like to think that it was a number of things I did along the way. So if you’re thinking about a solo trip of your own, read on to see all my recommendations on How To Overcome Loneliness While Traveling Solo:
Go On Tour
Hold Out For A Hostel
‘Til the end of the night – It’s gotta be the perfect place to meet fellow travelers and make new friends. While it’s easy to assume hostels are only for budget travelers in their early 20s, that’s not always the case. And even if you find yourself surrounded by younger backpackers, it always makes for a fun story.
Even if sharing a room isn’t your style, many hostels offer private accommodations too! Just be sure to choose one that has a shared space and nightly guest activities if you’re looking to meet people.
Book a Vacation Photography Session
If an organized tour isn’t quite your style, consider a vacation photography session instead. Every single photographer I’ve had the opportunity to work with while traveling has been fun, welcoming and collaborative – even when there’s a language barrier. Exploring with someone while doing something creative really just makes you feel like you’re exploring with an old friend, plus you’ll get some amazing souvenirs to boot!
TIPS ON HOW TO BOOK A VACATION PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
Bring A Book
Even with the most well-thought itinerary, chances are that you’re going to have some downtime. If you think you can only people watch at a sidewalk café in Paris for so long or you find small talk with the strangers in line next you at the Van Gogh Museum too intimidating, have a book handy! Not only will it help you feel less lonely, but it’s also a lot less awkward than pretending to be immersed in your phone to pass the time.
Even with the most well-thought itinerary, chances are that you’re going to have some downtime. If you think you can only people watch at a sidewalk café in Paris for so long or you find small talk with the strangers in line next you at the Van Gogh Museum too intimidating, have a book handy! Not only will it help you feel less lonely, but it’s also a lot less awkward than pretending to be immersed in your phone to pass the time.
SECRET TIP: Fully immerse yourself into your destination by bringing a book that takes place there. (In Aswan, Egypt, I loved reading Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile).
Keep It Moving
The loneliest times I’ve had while traveling solo have been those when I’ve slowed down. Say it’s eating in a restaurant with a whole booth to myself or sunbathing by the pool without a friend to talk to, those are the worst!
And while keeping things moving is definitely my personal solve in these moments of loneliness, I also encourage you to give it a try. Go peruse all the shops you pass and ask all the questions – even for items you would never buy. Challenge yourself to find 5 different people to go and give a genuine compliment to. Volunteer to take another traveler’s photo if you see them struggling. Ultimately, just get out there keep things moving, find those genuine human connections. You might surprise yourself.
Don’t Pass the Bar
No, I’m not talking about the American law exam. Dining alone can make even the most independent traveler hyperaware of their own loneliness. Maybe it’s that you’re sitting in one spot for an extended time, maybe it’s the fact that restaurants never seem to have tables with just one seat…
In either case, the best way to combat this is to simply not pass (up) the bar. It’s where most solo guests tend to congregate and, if you’re looking for a conversation, it’s so much easier to start one with a server, bartender or other diners there.
Have Fun
Once you get past the Hallmark sentiment behind this piece of advice, know that you’re the only one stopping yourself from having a great time. So go test out all the flavors at the Florence gelateria you’ve been wanting to try or venture to that way-too-out-of-the-way Belize waterfall that you saw on Instagram. This is your trip, travel with no regrets.
