Solo Travel Fears

By andreablythe On September 2, 2009 · 8 Comments

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In less than 13 days I’m going to be in Hawaii. While there is excitement at this prospect, there is also a certain amount of fear, because this is (to my memory) the first time I’ve traveled solo, as in, it 100% up to me how I’m going to spend my days. I have always had someone who traveled with me, or someone I knew at the destination who would keep me entertained. Even for my trip to Ireland last year, my schedule was mostly filled and organized by the corporation I was writing an article on.

In Hawaii, I will have three of the seven days to fill on my own, and I’m finding myself a little uneasy of facing the prospect of filling those days. I have in the past become daunted by the empty hours to fill in front of me. Instead of enjoying the time I meant to explore, I would wrap up my day quickly and head back to the safety of the hotel room, where contained I can watch TV or read a book, neither presenting a true concept of travel for me. I don’t want to do that this trip.

There are several aspects to this fear of empty hours during solo travel:

I won’t have anyone to talk to. Completely silly, since I’ll be staying in a hostel and I’m perfectly capable of starting a polite conversation.
I will be bored. Possible. This is partly was contributed to the experience I mentioned above, but would be entirely my own fault.
I have an irrational fear that everyone is watching me wandering alone and viewing me as a freak or easy target, to the point where As though there’s this great big outside eye watching me and judging everything I do. Like I said, irrational.

One solution to the empty hours is to thoroughly plan my trip, so that every minute is accounted for. I have not done this for my trip to Hawaii. In fact, I’ve never been a detailed trip planner, but having a buddy often relieves this burden in that you can bounce ideas off each other and allow for spontaneity.

I still can’t bring myself to create a detailed plan of my trip. Instead I have a rough outline of my days, knowing I will hit certain points here and there. The one thing I did do, which helps me a lot with this, was create my Musts List, which are the things I must do in order to make my trip complete. For Hawaii, my Musts are: 1. To see the lava flow, and 2. To swim in a waterfall pool. If I can do these two things, then whatever else happens, I know I will have had a great trip (taking into account of course that plans change).

Certainly, articles like such as 6 Reasons to Wander Alone also help in assuaging my fears, reminding me of all the potential joys of solo travel. Besides, a step toward living my dream of being a savvy world traveler is to just go ahead and step out my own front door.

Have you ever get uneasy traveling alone? What do you do when you face the uncertainties of solo travel?

[x-post to my main blog]

8 responses to Solo Travel Fears

andreablythe said on September 3, 2009

Thank you. “no pressure” That’s a good one for me to remember.
Katie Cooper said on September 3, 2009

Hi Andrea!

Thanks for visiting my blog…I appreciate your kind comments. =) I totally understand your fears about traveling alone. I guess I’ve never really traveled alone either, so I am looking forward to reading about how your trip goes. There are definitely perks to being on your own, mostly because you and you alone get to decide where you go and what you do, and that freedom can be great, though a little daunting, too. Enjoy yourself! Do what you feel like doing, no pressure since no one else is with you, and challenge yourself to take some risks, to do things that you will be happy that you did when you look back on your trip. Good luck!

Katie
andreablythe said on September 2, 2009

Thank you! I can’t help but be anxious everytime I approach something new (just the way I tick), but I really appreciate all the positive thoughts. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. I just need to stop worrying.
Benita Hussain said on September 2, 2009

I do nothing but travel by myself! It really is the best, and you meet so many more people that way (if that’s what you’re looking for). If not, having full control to decide what you want to do is in itself a good change from every day life, not to mention having the time for personal reflection. The fact that you’re also going to a safe region also gives you less to worry about! Enjoy it, seriously!!
andreablythe said on September 2, 2009

Getting to know myself … that as you say is always an interesting adventure. I think that’s a big lesson in life, too, getting to be comfortable in one’s own company without other people as distractions, so thank you for that thought.
andreablythe said on September 2, 2009

Thank you for all your thoughts. I can definitely visualize all the benefits of solo travel, but I can’t help the anxious feeling that comes up whenever I try something new.

You’re probably right about planning. Wondering what to do with myself is an excellent way to waste time. I have been looking at travel book and websites on what else there is to do in the area, as well as talking to people I know who’ve been there. I’m starting to get some other ideas going, like a kayaking event. I know I’ll have fun, though. I guess I just need to stop worrying about it!
Marie McC said on September 2, 2009

Traveling solo is fun! Look at it as an opportunity to get your own way 100% of the time! I almost always travel solo, and I prefer it. There is nothing odd about being alone or traveling alone. Observe people wherever you go. Lots of people do it!

There’s always someone to talk to. As a solo traveler, that makes you more approachable and easier to get a conversation started. I find, on the rare occasion when I’m with someone, that I’m not as outgoing. Traveling solo gives me the motivation to start conversations with strangers that I might not otherwise have. Oddly enough, I find it much easier to talk to strangers when I’m abroad than when I travel in the U.S.

Instead of holing up in your room at the end of the day, go to a cafe, preferably an outdoor cafe. Nurse a soda or a coffee while writing in your notebook all the fun and interesting things you saw and did that day. Read your book in a public place or on the beach where you can also do some people watching.

Planning a trip is a good idea so that you don’t waste your precious travel time trying to figure out what to do next. You have plenty of time to research and find out what other interesting things Hawaii has to offer in addition to watching a lava flow and swimming in a waterfall pool. (Those sound like great choices, by the way!) Make a list of what appeals to you.

Look at it as a list of things you’d like to do, not as a list of things you have to do. I always end up with more things on my list than I have time to do. There’s no chance of getting bored if you have a list. If an opportunity presents itself while you’re there that looks more interesting than what’s on your list, do that!

Think of your itinerary is a fallback plan, in case you run out of things to do or in case something spontaneous doesn’t happen. It doesn’t have to be detailed down to the minute. Just make a list of several things you’d like to do each day that are more fun than getting bored in your hostel room.

Have fun researching, and have a great first time solo trip!
Sabina Lohr said on September 2, 2009

I like the idea of that thoroughly manageable Musts List – if everything else falls apart and you just do those two things, you will have had a great trip. Now, that is a great way of looking at any trip.

Maybe this can be a time to get to know yourself a little better and learn about being on your own in a different environment. That could be an adventure in itself, one you might want to repeat.