How to Travel Solo When You are an Introvert.

How to Travel Solo as an Introvert

Did you enjoy summer camp when you were a child? Are you yearning to relive that experience?

My most vivid summer camp memories were the cries of a girl sobbing loudly night after night until her parents came to take her home. I doubt she would want to relive that experience.

Recently I turned on the radio and caught a few minutes of a discussion on summer camp for adults. The speaker, whose name I did not get, told the listening audience that summer camps for adults are increasingly popular. The reasons she gave include yearning for a simpler life, reliving our youth, letting go for the weekend, coming out of our shells and making new friends.

As a social introvert I can’t imagine anything more dreadful than spending a weekend with strangers playing games and trying to relive my youth.

Solo Travel

I do like to travel though and have found that traveling solo is an option for introverts who want to avoid being herded around in a crowd.

Years ago traveling solo meant that you were weird or a loner but now solo travel is acceptable and cities like Vancouver are known for welcoming solo travelers.

“Solo travel includes all the trips and travels on which one embarks completely alone without having a single companion.”

Despite or because I’m an introvert solo travel has never bothered me much. I’m quite happy with my own company and find it easy to make small talk.

I do like to travel with friends but sometimes traveling alone is the only option. When I was coaching I wanted to attend a conference in London. I couldn’t find anyone to go with me so I decided to go by myself.

Specific Challenges for Introverts

Traveling alone if you are an extrovert may be challenging but many extroverts are comfortable engaging with people they don’t know. In fact, talking energizes extroverts and makes them want to seek out the company of others.

But what if you don’t want to meet new people or you want to do it in a way that feels more comfortable. Introverts can get overwhelmed by too much stimulation. Managing time and energy is important and I devlote a chapter to this in my book The Dynamic Introvert. 

When you are traveling you may not be able to avoid crowds completely unless you are ultra-rich, own a private plane and vacation in a hide-a-way on an island somewhere.

For those of us planning to venture out into the world there are lots of interesting places that are quiet and perfect for recharging, even in large cities:

• Libraries (some like the British Library in London are also museums)
• Parks
• Museums in general
• Coffee shops
• Art galleries
• Individual guided tours (the options are endless)
• Solo activities such as cycling, walking, or hiking (again, the options are endless)

Start Where You Live

If you don’t feel comfortable about venturing out into the world on your own experts advise starting in your own city. Cities like Vancouver welcome solo travelers. In fact, Vancouver is on the list of the 13 safeist cities for solo travelers.

Start by visiting a part of your city that is unfamiliar. Explore eating solo in a new restaurant. Spend a bit of time looking into the things you’d like to do in a foreign city and go out and sample them in your own back yard. Spend a night in a hostel or hotel and practice talking with strangers. If you live in a small town hop on a bus or train and travel to a small town near by that you aren’t familiar with. Think of this as a ‘dress rehearsal’ to help get you ready to travel solo somewhere else in the world.

Psychological Benefits of Traveling Alone

“There’s something quietly transformative about setting out alone.” Dr. Garima Rajan

We all have different reasons for traveling. You may decide to travel to see the world, to learn a new language, to watch a concert, to experience new cuisines or to do something you love like kayaking, cycling, yoga, writing or exploring history.

If you are like me your main reason for traveling won’t be for the psychological benefits. Having said that there are a numberous benefits to be had like gaining confidence, improving communication skills and learning more about who you are in different situations.

When I arrived at my hotel in London I was given a substandard room in the basement of the hotel where I was staying. The room was small and dark and overlooked a back alley and there was an open air shaft above the bed. I’ve always struggled to be assertive but I marched back upstairs and demanded a better room. And I got one but I had to speak up. I had no-one else to fall back on.

Solo travel is all about stepping out of your comfort zone!

Traveling Safely on Your Own 

Before starting out it’s important to safeguard yourself and your belongings. A lot has been written about this subject. Author and expert traveler Rick Steves covers this topic nicely on his website and in his blog.

Steves advice is this,

“Carry yourself with confidence, walk as if you are a local and try to blend in.”

His advice is possible to follow if you do your research by learning about local customs, dress codes, and areas to stay away from.

If you want to travel but can’t find anyone to go with you I recommend giving solo travel a try. Do your homework and learn how to keep yourself safe and if you are new to traveling on your own start in your own city or tow.

Push yourself out of your comfort zone. You’ll be surprised by what you learn about yourself and the world around you.

Resources

www.sologuides.com/vancouver/ (there are solo guides for cities all over the world)

www.wesolotravel.com/guide-solo-travelling/

www.solotravel365.com