In the case of being homesick during travel, youre longing to be home because you dont have it in that moment. Plan Your Dream Trip to Egypt With a Local Expert, 10+ Tested Safety Tips for Female Solo Travel Newbies, How to Make Travel Friends As a Solo Globetrotter, A Beginners Guide to Traveling Alone for the First Time, Living in Egypt as a Digital Nomad: All You Need to Know, Freedom and empowerment: why travelling solo is so rewarding - Ravish Magazine, Full Guide to the Hottest Afrobeats Music Festival, Afro Nation, Full Day Trip From Amman: The Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, Madaba, and Mt Nebo, Restaurants in Dahab That Travel Foodies Will Absolutely Love, Wadi Mujib: All About Jordans Epic Canyoning Adventure, Is the Dead Sea, Jordan on Your Bucket List? You will need the official photos in the correct specs, which you can get in most Walgreens for about $10USD. Embrace the anxiety. And all you have to do to break the ice is discuss your common interest travel. Local data plans are usually more affordable than international roaming or e-sims. Fear of travelling alone is often associated with anxiety about being alone in a new place, meeting strangers, getting lost and more. Six years later, I have travelled alone through 35 countries and work wherever I like as a freelance writer. My point is, that if you feel like absolute crap, allow yourself to feel it all. You can make friends on your own. Those outings include going to the movies, dinner, or even a concert solo. Thats why we shall spend some time getting familiar with the psychology of fear. When you travel, the unknown is actually what you're striving to find (otherwise you could just stay home). Being sleepy and anxious is not a good combination, so rest up. If ever you feel anxious, pull out your memento and remember that you're only ever a flight or a phone call away from home. Remind yourself that homesickness isnt a dragon you have to slay. Read my 30-point guide on how to travel alone and not be lonely if youre worried about feeling isolated. Here are 5 effective ways you can transcend your limiting beliefs. The fear of traveling alone doesn't just go away on its own. I was shy, loaded with debt and stuck in a career that I hated. Yes, solo travel can be, and quite frankly, sometimes will be lonely. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 6) Imagine yourself in a difficult situation. Whenever I arrive at a new destination, I locate my happy spot somewhere scenic and quiet. What if I get homesick or feel lonely? If you are anxious about traveling alone, there's nothing wrong with asking friends or family . 2023 Nomadic Yak - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP. The thing with a worst case scenario is, its hard to formulate a sound plan for it before it happens. Culture shock will probably happen in some regard. I did a 10 day silent meditation retreat on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, and one of the things I learned by not speaking and only listening was just how many thoughts we have per day. As feeling afraid of travel is widely regarded negatively, we naturally tend to hide when we feel ashamed of our fear. By the time youre checked into your room and youre staring out into the bustling streets, youll think This is easier than I thought. The excitement will take over you and youll never look back youre a solo traveller now! Travel Mexico Solo is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Apple iPhone users can use Find My iPhone, whilst Google users can use Find My Device. We humans, often to our own detriment, tend to long for what we dont have. The thing is you will be able to cope with your worst case scenario regardless of what your worst case scenario might be. At that time, I also suffered from panic attacks so it was a real challenge for me. One of the solo travelers most significant mindset shifts is convincing ourselves we can do it. How can I plan or prepare for my trip so that my fears and anxieties are minimised. Or, buy a lavender jelly air freshener to carry with you in your hotel! We become more self-confident and socially confident. Mexico Solo Travel: 20 SAFE Destinations for Female Travelers (According to Solo Female Travelers Who Have Actually Been to Them! Truth be told, I felt a little scared of Mexico before I got to know the country. Ironically, I felt safe there on my first solo trip. What would you do? You have time to focus on yourself you can be as lazy or as active as you like without other people judging you. I can remember very well how I felt before my first solo trip 5 years ago. I have seen solo women traveling through out the world and all these women are inspiration to me. If you buy something using my link, I get a small percentage for mentioning/recommending it. If something feels off, or sketchy, or unsafe, LEAVE. Due to our experiences in the US as Black Americans, many older Black people feared their children traveling the world. With it, you have a fear of driving and may also get anxious being a passenger. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Am I capable of surviving on my own? At some stage, anxiety and fear will sneak in. How to deal with your worst case scenario, Scared to Travel Alone? It can do the same for you. In the Black community, there was always this stigma around traveling. Long before you even travel, and before your traveling anxiety has a chance to kick in, is actually the best time to prepare for the worst. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Why is it so easy to meet people when travelling alone? But I did not know anyone in Mexico at the time. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Required fields are marked *. He, of course, happens to be this super, excellent, crime-fighting agent, too. Understanding how to overcome the anxiety of traveling alone is one of the byproducts of solo travel. What if [insert your worst case scenario] happens? These often feel more stressed out by the idea of solo traveling and mingling with other nomads. It can cloud your judgment. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician. One of the reasons we travel alone is to step out of our comfort zone. Think of those songs that make you want to dance, feel alive, and increase your confidence. People love to project their fears onto you when it comes to solo travel. We are often given indirect and direct messages about specific cities and countries. Some form of ID (preferably not a passport). There is no way to plan for something like that, though. Staying active also helps ward off anxiety. Did you know how youd cope with it before it happened? Therefore, share your itinerary with loved ones at home to decrease your solo travel anxiety. In this case, respect that feeling and forego solo travel, or at least wait to do so until youre comfortable. When you throw yourself into solo travel, you realise that you are more capable than you ever imagined. 2023 All Rights Reserved www.rockytravel.net. When you leave your home, you kinda sign up for homesickness, since you cant really feel homesick at home. Step #1: Dealing with anxiety before you travel Here's how to calm your mind, get over your anxiety, and get yourself out on the road: You can book tours in advance with Get Your Guide or Viator, or if this is your first solo trip, maybe a fully planned solo trip would make more sense. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. We shouldnt have to stop chasing our bucket list dreams due to ignorance. Why not? If your phone is lost or stolen whilst travelling, you can now locate it, lock it or erase the data on it. Since theres not, we must practice to make perfect (or at least easier and more comfortable). Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by persistent, excessive worry. How Do I Get The Courage To Travel Solo? Wonderful post! The U.S. State Department says more than 300,000 Americanpassportsarelostor stolen each year, so while annoying, a lost passport is not the end of the world. Being alone does not necessarily mean youll be lonely. 2) Give a shape and a name to your fears. Check out how to plan your solo adventure like a pro here. Think again. Thank the fear for being there, for trying to protect you. catastrophizing: to view or talk about (an event or situation) as worse than it actually is, or as if it were a catastrophe. Therefore, my worries about traveling alone kept replaying in my mind. Ryan Biddulph September 8, 2018 @ If you are willing to go on your own but at the same time are scared to travel alone, starting to visualise whats holding you back is the best way to allow you to move forward with your plan. Every article is written by me, Harry Dale. I am not in denial that racism and anti-Blackness are everywhere. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We respect your privacy, deliver only valuable content. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and thats when youll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance. While PKW isnt a guarantee you wont lose your phone, keys or wallet, regularly making sure you have them will certainly help. As an experienced female solo traveller with +30 years of solo travel in Australia, I went through all the different solo travel stages. If you take prescription anxiety medication, it is important that you keep taking your medication as prescribed throughout your solo trip. If it's your first time traveling alone, plan ahead, and also get your backup plan ready. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. You might in fact lose your phone or your passport, or both. To date, I've been to 19 states, and now I'm here to help travelers just like you plan your bucket list Mexico trip. Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesnt suit her. In fact, according to a 2018 study by Glasgow University, more than 90% of rape and sexual assault victims knew their attacker. In fact, you wanted what you didnt have (travel) so much so that you planned a trip, took time off work, booked a ticket, and traveled there! Once you arrive, settle in and realise that solo travel isnt as scary as you thought, that anxious feeling will subside. However, as someone whos done quite a bit of Mexico solo travel, I know theres a lot to be said for intuition. Anything can happen anywhere. Take my 15-questions quiz: should I travel alone? SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option. Its important to identify the cause of your fear and anxiety so that you can address it directly and logically. Well, you dont have all the facts of this particular worst case scenario circumstance because it hasnt happened. However, if youre reading this, one thing is certain, you did cope with it! You can add a few droplets into a TSA-approved bottle and spray it on your pillow at night or as a facial refresher. You can dine on your own. I asked myself all these questions before taking off for my first solo trip. Your first solo trip is the scariest. Sometimes, anxiety can become so overwhelming that the only safe option is to end your trip and return home. And while getting lost is a rite of passage for a solo traveler, we still need that phone charged. If your worst case scenario is violence or physical harm, that is of course, a different story than a cell phone. Here are 5 effective ways you can transcend your limiting beliefs. For those still harboring stomach butterflies, we curated a list of 10 top tips for conquering solo travel fearsincluding advice from folks who have been thereand how to make plans for a trip that's both safe and adventurous. 80% of the time you are surrounded by other travellers, tour guides, motel staff and friendly locals. It was late summer in 1998 and I was a shy, tiny. I was terrified. No more walking around with lumpy pockets. Try to stop for at least 3 days at each destination on your itinerary. Understanding how to overcome the anxiety of traveling alone means adding tools to your travel toolbox. Minimise anxiety by travelling slowly. Its good to get used to such practices before your trip so if you do ever need to resort to them while traveling, you wouldnt feel lost or overwhelmed. Instead, acknowledge it. If you let fear grow bigger than your motivation, its going to be a hard battle in the first place. For me, making my own safety a priority came down to these two things: Avoid Risky Situations: I always tried to mitigate risk as much as possible. Being alone can be hard for some people, and traveling alone might make a trip miserable for those who are extroverted. 7) Use fear to hone your skills, like in a rehearsal. Please seefull disclosurefor more information. As author Marie Forleo wisely says in her book of the same title, Everything is Figureoutable.. ), The majority of my solo travels have been in Mexico and as you might imagine, I get the Is Mexico safe for solo female travel? question a lot. When you feel anxious whilst travelling alone, ask yourself why you feel that way, what is triggering your fear and whether you are being rational? Affiliate Disclosure: Nomadic Yak may earn commission (at no extra cost to you) from companies mentioned on this website. And a portable door lock is a must because it will alert you if someone tries to enter your hostel or hotel room. What if you arent comfortable approaching strangers? worth it. I also keep an old backup phone with my luggage. Then apply the 23 tips below to overcome your solo travel anxiety. Learn how your comment data is processed. I repeatedly tell my readers: You are rarely lonely when you travel alone. How to stop being scared to travel? With the color photocopy, photos of your passport, and two passport photos in hand, the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy will assist you in getting your new passport so you can return to the U.S. Irrational fear is the emotional part of it that continuously swirls into your mind and tries to talk you out of doing something. I love writing and getting my thoughts down to reflect on at the moment and reminisce on later. You never know what mood you will be in, so having both playlists is an ideal way to prepare for it all. Get this: According to a 2020 Queens University study, we have more than 6,000 thoughts each day. There are, however, some destinations that are easier to experience as a solo traveler. Below are three demographics who might be good people to chat up: RELATED ARTICLE 6 Epic Solo Travel Photography Tips + 5 FREE Presets. My favourite happy spot was a rocky river bank in Vang Vieng, Laos (see the picture above). Youre leaving your home, after all, so your probability of homesickness has shot through the roof. While they may be related to a lack of confidence in yourself, they are often perceived exaggeratedly. Even I, a frequent solo traveler, get anxious out of the blue from time to time. Ready to get started? Turn the Unknown Into the Known It's easy, and somehow even logical, to fear the unknown. However, researching the culture and customs can ease that solo travel anxiety. Hi, I'm Harry - solo traveller and creator of Nomadic Yak! Now, this doesnt mean the news and media are always wrong! We rely on our phones for everything. Thanks for sharing Nadine , Your email address will not be published. Heres a Full Guide. As helpful as the above thoughts can be for worried would-be globetrotters, the best way to deal with your fear of travel is to confront it directly. Worn close to the body. Once you have a breakdown of situations, circumstances, facts, places, people or whatever you believe to trigger your fear, visualise each block and develop a plan of action to respond to your fears. However, the only way to get comfortable with something is to practice doing it. If you choose to travel abroad, you could pick a country where you speak its language fluently or share cultural similarities with. Since youre new to solo travel and you dont have a mental picture of it, you might be doing this. Nomadic Yak helps solo travellers to plan journeys that are adventurous and authentic. 10 Tips on How to Embrace Solo Travel, 111 Solo Travel Quotes About Traveling Alone that Will Inspire You, How to Travel Alone for the First Time: 10 Useful Tips, Eating Alone While Traveling: How to Overcome Your Fear, 6 Epic Solo Travel Photography Tips + 5 FREE Presets. Do not let movies and media cloud your perspective on traveling. Its not the end of the world if you decide to waste an entire morning laying in bed, eating cupcakes, and binge-watching Bojack Horseman. My reality is that I feel as safe in Mexico as I did when I lived in South Florida. It eases a lot of the fear of solo travel too. Curls en Route, Having Anxiety About Traveling Alone? You might also consider joining some Facebook groups expats in the city or country youre headed to. World Nomads travel insurance has plans that cover a lost phone, luggage, bodily injury, getting sick, etc. I had to figure out how to quickly overcome the anxiety of traveling alone. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Realize feeling homesick & lonely are normal. A random event, like physical assault from a stranger, is beyond awful, and I hope it never happens to any woman for the rest of time. RELATED ARTICLE How to Travel Alone for the First Time: 10 Useful Tips. Navigating a place solo, planning an itinerary from start to finish, and being bold enough even to book a solo trip are all skills you already possess. Well then, youre in the right place to learn how to deal with travel anxiety, using tips, tricks and mindset hacks Ive personally used throughout my years of solo female travel. Just as you insure your car, home and body, you can also get solo travel insurance for your trip. 5) Motivation versus Fear. Almost as if by magic, those thoughts passed quickly, and a new one showed up. Solo travel is an acquired taste! No, I dont want to go to the bar with you. I also frequent the Sleep and Wellness sections on Spotify. drinking a cup of hot tea or coffee. Asking basic questions like probing what you fear is a simple way to purge the fears, so you travel solo. tips! As a Black person, I know the world is anti-Black. However, my perspective on safety, and why I believe I stayed safe while traveling Mexico solo, was that I took 100% responsibility for my own safety, since really, no one place on earth is 100% safe, if you really think about it. It seems solo travel for women is only weird for those who have never done it. Know that it has your best intentions at heart. Therefore, we tend to make assumptions about those places as if we already know what to expect. This fear might be triggered by: Air. Therefore having a portable charger can prevent that from happening frequently. Want to put your mind all the way at ease about a lost passport or phone? Well dissect and unpack all of that in this article, dont worry. Youll find 100s of solo travel tips on how to save money, make more friends, build a social media following and much more. Verywell / Zoe Hansen What Is Hodophobia? Sometimes you need to embrace what you fearliterally! It is a reminder not to forget important stuff such as your passport or your travel insurance. Dont be afraid to lean into them and use them. Maybe take a nap, read a book for an hour or try doing yoga or meditation to slow your thought process and come back to your original reasons for why you're on vacation. Plan solo journeys that are more authentic and memorable than the average tourist experience. Let it happen. Be sure to read my 35 solo travel safety tips, including: There are advantages and disadvantages to travelling alone. Because as the old saying goes only boring people get bored. But, remember, a little bit of anxiety is a good thing. About 45% of women and 20% of men report safety concerns as their main reason for not travelling alone (Tourlane). We prove to ourselves that we can face the challenges of life independently. Also, research mental health hotlines that you can call if necessary. As a remedy to homesickness, it may help you to carry a small memento - a picture, a note, a piece of jewellery, perfume, etc.. Consider joining group tours or group activities. Each guide also includes a section on the safety risks that are unique to your destination. This brings up this relevant point: Being alone is not the same as being lonely. If (or when) loneliness and homesickness show up, accept them as simply a feeling youre feeling and not the end of the world. Bars are easy places to meet people, but you could also go to a restaurant or coffee shop and sit at the bar, rather than a private table. Extroverts being extroverted, tend to have a large enough circle of friends and acquaintances around them to find a travel buddy. Journaling helps me to clarify my thoughts and work through problems. Are my fears and anxieties about travelling alone justified? totally enjoyed my trip and was so proud afterward. Lavender is a personal favorite. Take the time to learn about the people, the culture, the places, the food, and everything important about . In this article I'm going to 1) share my proven mindset hacks to help you feel comfortable with the thought of solo dining, 2) give you a mental practice run you can do to build your confidence for dining alone as a woman, and 3) share some of the best eating alone in a restaurant quotes for inspiration.

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