Should you solo travel? The yes is 1000% YES!
I encourage everyone at some point in their life to solo travel. It could be a weekend away to Europe or a year long trip around Asia. Solo travelling was hands down one of the best things I have ever done. The amazing places I’ve seen, the beautiful people I’ve met and the challenges I’ve had to face. I learnt so much about myself from this trip and even though I was anxious to go alone, I’m so glad I did it anyway.
I’ve always had the urge to see more of what the world has to offer, other than my little town in the north of England. I found myself settling into a very ‘normal life’ at the young ripe age of 22. I was in a serious relationship, settling down and nearly buying a house, At 22 years old?! Madness, I know! I thought to myself, I should be out there seeing the world, going on adventures and living out of backpack whilst I can. So, November 2018 I booked my first solo trip, a one way ticket to Thailand.
There are so many questions and concerns I had before heading off on my solo adventure. I read blog post after blog post, watched several youtube videos and asked every past traveller their tips. So, here are my thoughts before, during and after solo travel that may or may not help you decide to pack that bag and buy that plane ticket.
Before I decided to go solo, I wanted to find a travel buddy. I thought sharing that experience with someone else was the best way to do it, but none of my friends could travel or wanted to. The one statement I said to myself was,
‘if I always wait around for other people, I would never do anything’.
the wandering wilson 2018
Now that I have solo travelled I wouldn’t of had it any other way. Don’t get me wrong my anxiety was through the roof. The thought of arriving at Bangkok airport with no one and no plan filled me more with dread than excitement. I’d never been to Asia, let alone solo travelled… That’s when I decided to join an organised group for the first three weeks of my trip.
This option was great for me, I was a part of a facebook page for the organised tour where questions I had were answered, I landed at Bangkok with a transfer organised and everything was planned for me for a solid three weeks. I still wasn’t sure what I was doing after the tour but I had three weeks to figure that out.
On my tour I became friends with the most beautiful soul, Ruth. We decided to travel north to Chiang Mai after the tour. We stayed there for a few days and then parted ways. I was then officially on my ‘own’ dun dun dunnn *que scary music*. Of course I’m joking, by this point I was so ready to venture on my own.
Everyone is usually going in the same direction, you will end up bumping into the same people as rumors get around about which hostels are best to stay at (a blog post about this will be coming soon). There are also facebook groups or instagram hostel pages that you can be a part of.
My biggest tip is to ask questions
Where people are going next?
When are they going?
How are they getting there?
Can you join them?
I want to stress that solo travel does not mean you will be alone. In fact, there will be times you wish you were alone. I even booked a private room occasionally so I could have my own space to breath because sometimes hostel life can become too much. That aside, solo travel was the best decision I made. I learnt so much, pushed myself out of my comfort zone and made so many amazing friends along the way.
Still worried? Check out my YouTube video below, do your research, ask questions and then book that plane ticket. You won’t regret it.
I’d love to hear from you and about your solo trips!
Forever wandering
Danielle.
The Wandering Wilson 