Alone but not Lonely ….
After my first solo trip, I came to a powerful realization that being on my own was a gift.
It was a chance to spend time with myself, turning any fear into excitement and strength.
I began to see this solo time as an incredible opportunity to focus on my mental health and to enjoy some much-needed space.
Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time alone, but it’s what I need right now and honestly, it’s changed my perspective on things and allowed me to experience things I wouldn’t have otherwise. Being alone isn’t a bad thing. Spending time alone might feel uncomfortable at the beginning, but nothing will ever bring you more peace, than being ok by yourself. you will never feel lonely if you like the person you're alone with, so start building that friendship with yourself.
If you are considering taking your first solo trip this year, you might wonder, “Is solo travel lonely?” This is the most common question I’ve been asked in my years of travelling alone.
As a solo traveller since 2015, I was out there abroad and alone.
Was it lonely? Yeah, a little. But that absolutely shouldn’t stop you from booking that trip!
In this article, I'm delving into the essence of solo travel and providing insights into managing those unexpected moments of solitude.
How To Avoid Feeling Lonely Abroad
Stay in HOSTELS! But if you are not a fan of Hostels like me I got you…
I am no fan of hostels, and you won't catch me staying in one again. The thought of sharing my room with strangers doesn't sit well with me. I'm a bit of a clean freak, and staying organized is my mantra. Unfortunately, hostels tend to cramp my style. I'm forced to keep my belongings locked away or stuffed into small bags just to lug them to the bathroom. Personally, I prefer having my hair and skin products within arm's reach and my clothes neatly hung you feel me lol
However, my perspective on hostels changed last year when I visited Costa Rica and Mexico. I opted for accommodations with a unique twist – Selina selina.com. To my surprise, the experience was far from the bad stories I'd heard about traditional hostels. In fact, I highly recommend Selina to fellow travellers who like staying in a hybrid accommodation where they offer rooms with private bathrooms, providing the comfort and privacy that many of us crave. If you lean towards Airbnb or other personalized lodgings, that's perfectly fine too. Just ensure your choice is close to hostels. This way, you can join in their lively gatherings and make use of their coworking spaces. It's an excellent opportunity to connect with like-minded travellers who are open to meeting new people.
And for my hostels' lovers:
Make sure you book somewhere that has a nice social atmosphere, yet does not come across as being too loud and crowded. I am not a fan of party hostels, but there are plenty of choices for every type of traveller.
Booking.com has a vast database of good hostels.
Another good platform for booking hostels is HostelWorld.com. There are many more out there, but these are the ones I used mostly and can recommend.
Stay busy
When I plan a solo travel itinerary for myself or anyone else, one thing is always front of mind — create a nice balance between time planned and unplanned. I LOVE being spontaneous when travelling, but if I’m solo travelling, I make sure that I have SOME scheduled activities in my calendar. While every day doesn’t need to have back-to-back activities, I can’t stress how important it is to stay busy! That’s the best way to ensure you don’t spend too much time in solitude, with too much time for existential (over)thinking! One of my favourite ways to keep active is to book some Airbnb Experiences!
Connect with Other travellers through Blogs/Travel apps/ Facebook Groups When You Feel Lonely ↓
Not quite sure where to settle down as a digital nomad next?
Then make your way to Nomad List to see how some 1,200 global destinations rank based on surveys taken by digital nomads just like you.
It factors in metrics such as the cost of living, internet speed, safety and quality of life to create the ultimate digital nomad bucket list.
Even if you do have chemistry with that special someone on HINGE, you might have to choose between them and your digital nomad lifestyle eventually.
Nomad Soulmates, on the other hand, connects you with nearby like-minded vagabonds who share your passion for travel and remote work.
This widely popular website brings people together with common interests for real-life, face-to-face encounters, which is an awesome way to stave off the isolation blues. Meetup groups are typically organized by interests and age, and groups tend to hold regular events.
Facebook remains the biggest social network in the world by a massive margin. Love it or hate it, you’re going to need it to keep track of all those new friends you’re making on the road.
Pro tip: There are digital nomad groups for most destinations with regular meetups.
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