GUIDE: Traveling Alone

One of my most asked questions is how I travel all by myself. Not necessarily a safety aspect, but bridging that socially awkward gap of eating alone, walking around all by yourself with just your thoughts. I will be honest, it took me a longggg time to get to where I am comfortable doing so much on my own— I like to attribute it to my perpetually single life and the fact that all my friends have “real jobs” and can’t just buy a plane ticket on a whim and go somewhere for a week or a month which I have been known to do on several occasions.

Even though I didn’t exactly just jump right into the deep end, the first time you travel alone is absolutely terrifying and you forget everything you’ve ever done by yourself.

But let’s take baby steps. Even though there really is only a couple of steps before heading right to the deep end.

First up: Coffee shop

Grab your computer, a pen and paper, whatever it is you need to work on, or even just go browse on Facebook for an hour, grab a coffee at the bar and settle in. This is so normal for people to do you’ll automatically feel comfortable.

Next up: Movies

I do this all the time and some of you guys brought this up a few times asking how I do it. It is the easiest thing ever because it’s not like you actually talk to your friends who you are in the movie with. It is much more natural than you think and a lot easier than you think. I also love the movies. If you don’t love the movies, still do this because you need to take yourself out of your comfort zone.

I suggest picking a good movie, don’t pick a kids movie because you’ll be self-conscious the entire time that people think you are a creep in a kids movie.

Step Three is a Bar

Go sit at the bar and have a drink. Take a book at first, please don’t be anti social and take your phone, even though it is like an extension of your hand now, just read a book or a magazine, or even your computer.

I am currently sitting in a restaurant with a black bean burger, a beer, and writing on my computer.

Every time you go spend less time reading or on your computer, talk to the bartender. Coming from a retired bartender, I always made sure the solo person at the bar felt comfortable.

You might even see other solo drinkers and, now the next thing I’m going to ask you to do is crazy, TALK TO THEM. Be your mom and just randomly say something to them, who cares if they think you’re weird, you’ll never see them again and they probably won’t think you are weird its just in your head.

Step Four: Eating alone!

You’re in the big leagues now, it’s time to go to a restaurant. I suggest starting with something easy like an order at the counter place before you jump right into having a server.

Read this next line very carefully,

NO ONE WILL THINK YOU ARE WEIRD

People can’t spend every minute with friends and you' can’t always have food in your fridge, you also don’t always have to take it togo, IT IS NORMAL!

Now, remember how I said you’ll eventually have to jump in and just bite the bullet? Now is that time. Buy the plane ticket.

My strongest suggestions from here is to stay in a hostel so you can meet other solo travelers. Before you know it you won’t be doing anything alone, you’ll make so many new friends you’ll be begging for a solo night at a restaurant where you don’t have to talk.

But, if you aren’t a hostel kinda kid, stay in a hotel, but get out there. Go on tours, and be awkward and talk to people!

The moral of the story is to try not to think so much, you care more about what people think about you than what they are actually thinking. Don’t let your fear of being alone keep you from experiencing something amazing!