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I’m a proponent of solo travel. The lone traveler is my superhero! I so very badly want to climb on my passport stamped soapbox and loudly proclaim: EVERYONE NEEDS TO TRAVEL SOLO! I definitely want to see people travel more. Especially Black people. In talking with folk, I’ve found that the one thing stopping a lot of people from traveling is having someone to travel with. This burns me to the core. I want to scream: GO BY YOURSELF!
The thought of someone allowing themselves to miss out on a great travel experience because they don’t want to go alone makes my teeth itch.
It seems like such a “no-brainer” to me that if you really wanted to go somewhere and couldn’t get anyone to go with you that you would go it alone. EVERYONE should be willing and able to do this…right?
Well…the short answer is no. I’m a staunch advocate for solo travel so it pains me to admit this but…solo travel isn’t for everyone.
IT IS FOR ME! I love it. Actually, it’s my travel preference. But everybody ain’t me.
I can’t take what’s true for me and make it a universal truth. As much as I would like to see people of color travel more; black women, in particular, I can’t recklessly push solo travel because solo travel just isn’t for everyone.
Maybe solo travel just isn’t for you. Traveling alone may not float your boat or be your cup of tea. And perhaps, you don’t aspire to the lone traveler moniker. But still…you’ve been thinking about it lately. Right??? So, how would you be able to tell whether solo travel is for you or not? Are there some tell-tale signs? I believe there are.
Solo travel may not be for you if…
You don’t like being alone
I’m an introvert so being alone energizes me. As much as I love being around people that I love, after a fun night out I need a lot of time by myself to regroup. On the flip side, there are people who are energized in the presence of others and too much time alone leaves them a bit off-center.
Traveling solo may not be for you if you don’t like spending significant time by yourself. If you’ve never gone to a movie alone or dined in a restaurant by yourself then think long and hard about solo travel. It may not be for you.
It takes you a while to warm up to people
Solo travel doesn’t mean that you never meet, speak to, or spend time with anyone else during your travels. Quite the opposite. Here’s the thing though, you have to be quick to warm up to people. All kinds of people.
In solo travel, “connections move quickly. In the morning you meet a group of people, or even someone else traveling alone and start talking. You click and the next thing you know you’re making dinner plans with them. Just that quick. But if you’re too slow in warming up to folk…that the first spark of connection will die quickly and the moment will pass. If you don’t like talking to people you don’t know or who don’t look like you then solo travel may not be for you.
You can’t think quickly on your feet
When traveling, things can and will go wrong. Flight delays, accommodation issues, lost luggage, theft, visa problems, and the list goes on. It’s frustrating for sure. How well would you handle those issues when traveling by yourself? A good indicator might be how you handle challenging situations on your home turf. Do you need a ton of input when making the simplest decision?
Being able to change direction, make contingency plans, research on google, figure out who to call, speak to the manager, and keep your wits about you all at the same time is vital when traveling alone. Some times there’s no one to help you figure it out. You have to do it yourself. If things going wrong will frustrate you to the point of tears, where you can’t gather yourself to make a move then traveling solo may not be for you.
You’re not street smart
You only have YOU to depend on so you have to be smart. You must always be aware of your surroundings and protect yourself at all costs. Herein lies the dance between number 2—warming up quickly to people and keeping your eyes on them though. That dance is called street smarts. Every kind face ain’t kind and every smile ain’t sincere.
Defining street smarts isn’t easy. It’s a thing. It’s that thing that allows you to quickly evaluate any situation and the associated risks. It’s that “feeling in your bones”, hunch” or “mother wit” that lets you know something’s not right. Being street smart is vital to navigating new situations, decision making, and staying safe on the road. If you’re not good at this dance then traveling solo definitely isn’t for you.
You’re not tech-savvy
Team iPhone or team Android, it matters not. What matters is, you must be tech-savvy to travel. Whether its booking hotel rooms on the fly, using google maps, scheduling an Uber, being able to WhatsApp (secure messaging and calling app) the tour operator, checking out Airbnb experiences, or using currency converter apps—being tech-savvy on the road is essential.
Life will be much easier for you halfway around the world if you know your way around the internet, communication and travel apps. If you don’t…perhaps solo travel isn’t for you.
In Summary
So there you have it. Is traveling solo for everyone? I think not. But is it for anyone? Absolutely!!! Anyone who wants to try it. Anyone who’s ready to step out of their comfort zone. Anyone who’s tired of waiting for people to travel with. Anyone who’s ready to see the word! Perhaps you read this post and now you’re disheartened. DON’T BE! Is solo travel for YOU? You’ll never know until YOU try.
Travel tip: Start with a solo weekend jaunt to a neighboring state or travel a few states over to see your favorite musical artist in concert.
In the meantime, check out my post on travel tips for beginners just in case you’re ready to start traveling alone. Check back in and let us know.
Do you travel solo? Do you want to? I’d love to hear from you below.
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Lenai
November 2, 2019 6:06 PMI read about this post last week when I’m checking on your other blogs. I agree with this, I actually know someone who cannot do alone. However, we or I tried to convince her its really not for her. Even eating in a restaurant or watching a movie alone is a no-no for her. I feel bad for her but we cannot force them to do what we love. 🙂
Melissa
November 2, 2019 6:04 PMGreat Post! I’m all about the solo travel, but your post makes sense. I think everyone should try it in small doses at least twice. Somewhere close to home at first. Your reasons though are all valid for someone to say it’s not for them! I try to encourage those who think they will be judged or portrayed as someone with no friends if they go alone. Keep up the posting!
Cynthia
November 3, 2019 1:13 AMSome folk are just afraid. I don’t think you’ll really know if solo travel is for you unless you try it. I encourage people to try it. They might be surprised.
Menty
November 2, 2019 11:56 AMagree! I think i’m not kind of person who can talk to strangers easily! not really a fit to backpacker/solo traveller, but I do enjoy travel solo on the other way, as I hate sometimes, got stuck by traveler fellows “drama”, like oh, i’m sick, oh, i dont like/want…..
solo, I can enjoy more by my own decision! – personal type maybe
Cynthia
November 3, 2019 1:11 AMMoving at my own pace and not having to compromise with a travel companion is the best part of solo traveling!
Natalie
November 2, 2019 11:04 AMSuch a helpful post! It’s true that solo traveling may not be for everyone, and it’s great to have a post that is thoughtful about the downsides or the more realistic things to expect. I personally love solo traveling, and the more I do it the more I discover about myself. Great article!
Cynthia
November 3, 2019 1:09 AMThanks for stopping by! I love solo traveling too. I think everyone should TRY IT at least once!
Pauline Chicart
November 2, 2019 9:50 AMI love this! So helpful for people who have never travelled alone. I love solo travel but it does take me some time sometimes to warm up to people, I’m always a bit wary at first.
Cynthia
November 3, 2019 1:08 AMI’m wary when I’m home but a social butterfly when I’m traveling.
Dee
October 12, 2019 12:00 PMAs much as I love solo travel, I can understand that its not for everyone and I have friends with no interest in solo travels whatsoever. I do wish however that people would at least try it once first!! Solo travel is for anyone! Great post.
Cynthia
October 12, 2019 2:10 PMI try to encourage everyone to try it at least once!
Kemkem
August 22, 2019 7:23 AMNow this is awesome virtually meeting another pharmacist! Love it! I love this post and so glad you mention that solo travel is for anyone, but not for everyone. I started out traveling solo ahem…over 35 years ago, way before the internet and google etc. In those days, you had your guide book and nothing else, but it was fun. You however have to be able to think on your feet, and hit up plan B etc..etc.. as stated on the post. Here’s to tripping all over the world.
Cynthia
August 22, 2019 1:59 PMYES!!! I forgot to mention that I noticed you were a Pharmacist!!! Thanks for stopping by and I love your blog by the way!
Sanadra
August 7, 2019 10:51 AMI’m north of Medicare, not tech savvy and travel solo. I’m careful about where I travel and there are places in this big beautiful world I have no desire to travel. n May I traveled to Scotland and London and found people wonderfully helpful, friendly, delightful. Traveling isn’t for everyone and neither is solo traveling and all kinds of reasons are valid…age, finances, ability. People are in different seasons of life; give them space and grace is a hard lesson I’ve won…especially since becoming a widow.
Cynthia
August 8, 2019 2:12 AMI love “I’m north of Medicare”. I’m just south of it. LOL! I love that people have all kinds of travel experiences. I definitely feel like anyone can travel, even solo, and mindset is the most important characteristic.
Roamy
July 2, 2019 9:41 PMI love traveling and have always traveled solo and I would not have it any other way.I work so hard, save so hard to afford my vacations then it`s time to relax and put my feet up, not compromise with anyone.
I want to do and leave what I choose when on vacation and it will be impossible to have the kind of vacation I want if I had to drag anyone along then have to compromise on when to sleep, where to go or when to wake up. I have been doing it so long and could not do it any other way.
Cynthia
July 2, 2019 10:41 PMMy sentiments EXACTLY!!!! It is definitely my preferred method of travel for all the reasons you stated!!!! Thanks for stopping by!!!!
Sabrina
June 30, 2019 11:57 AMFinally!!! Someone gets what I’ve been saying for years! Traveling solo is awesome. In fact, it’s my preferred method of travel. Anything beyond two people traveling together is dicey and introverts like me are often lost in the sauce of plans and it becomes a joyless mess. I often encourage my friends to travel solo, but the reaction I get is sheer shock as to who would do such a thing. So my response to that is I can show you better than I can tell you. Thank you Cynthia and keep traveling & posting!
Cynthia
June 30, 2019 12:30 PMYES!!!!! It’s my preferred method as well. But I get that for some…it’s just not for them. And that’s OK TOO! Thanks for stopping by!
Dawn
June 25, 2019 12:48 PMI’ve always said, I live vicariously thru you. I love reading about your adventures. I’m so proud of you! You look free. . .
Cynthia
June 25, 2019 3:16 PMYES! Thanks for checking out my blog posts. We may start small…but we’re going to go somewhere together soon!!!!!
Tay
June 25, 2019 1:37 AMGreat post! I’m an introvert also and oddly enough, I warm up to people in other countries much faster. 😂 Those and all the other points suggest that solo travel would be perfect for me! So after years of being skeptical and punking out, I’ve finally booked my first solo trip! Excited to see whether or not I’ll love it enough to make it a regular thing.
Cynthia
June 25, 2019 11:38 AMME TOO! I’m also an introvert but get me out of the country and my extrovert tendencies kick right on in. Can’t wait to hear how it goes. Check back in and let us know! I’m smiling cause I love when folks take the solo plunge!😁
Connie
June 23, 2019 1:12 PMCynthia,
Congratulations on this beautiful insight you have begun. I have experienced the ability to travel with friends, and alone for a number of years, and would express the joy, and excitement of being alone even though I was single and would want to go somewhere and didn’t have friends that were able to travel so easily, then I got married and still had the same burn, and there were times when my husband didn’t want to go with me but allowed me to still go at the time. I would share this with others, and people would say, ” How can you travel alone, or aren’t you scared to travel alone?. I would say absolutely NOT! Having street smarts along with an adventurous spirit is key. 🌹
Cynthia
June 23, 2019 1:36 PMYESS to that last line!!!!!! Having street smarts and an adventurous spirit is INDEED key! I LOVE SOLO TRAVEL! Thanks for stopping by and your continuous support.
Lisa
June 21, 2019 10:09 PMHi,
I love your blog! I’ve traveled alone before and what I love about it is that you don’t have to negotiate with anyone. Want to sleep in, so what? Stay out all night, who cares? But I struggle with quickly warming up to people because I’m a little shy. But it only really matters depending on what kind of trip you take. Like I was great at surf camp in the DR but city life is a little more challenging (even though I live in the city).
Anyway, thanks for this! I’m sharing with a couple of friends who think solo travel is like going to the moon!
Lisa
Cynthia
June 21, 2019 10:20 PMI love your comment! I believe solo travel is the greatest thing since sliced bread just for the reasons you mentioned. Some of my friends also start tripping when I mention traveling to certain locations alone. Thanks for stopping by AND for sharing my content. Happy travels!
Esrnesteen
June 21, 2019 2:46 PMNow this is living your best life! Being an introvert simply prepares us to easily overcome the preliminaries of solo travel. I love meeting and learning different cultures of people . Now I’m even more inspired! I look forward to beginning my travel journey. Thank you!
Cynthia
June 21, 2019 5:27 PMThanks for stopping by! My introvert tendencies certainly position me for being comfortable with the silence!!!
Kashira Reid
June 21, 2019 1:07 PMLove it!!! Great insight! I need to consider going alone indeed.
Cynthia
June 21, 2019 1:59 PMYes!!!!!! Try it…you might just LOVE it! A short trip is a good start.