So you want to travel by yourself?

A first time users guide to traveling alone

1. What's your Why

Why do you want to solo travel and what is your expected result? Having realistic expectations before your trip is great because you can create boundaries for yourself as well as get excited about all the new things you can try to do. Knowing your why, whether that is because you are healing from something, running away from life or simply wanting to explore and try something new is important because it helps you pinpoint what you are trying to get out of traveling. 

2. Baby Steps

Small trips are great ways to determine if you can do a larger trip just yet. Whether that is a local staycation or an hour flight to the state nearby, a small trip is still a solo travel and tests your abilities without going too far! 

3. Have a set plan

Having a flexible plan is important because it allows yourself to fully commit to the trip without the normal excuses of "I'm too busy". Making a plan, writing it out and making deposits on housing or rental cars make it official.

4. Leave some room for spontaneous activities

Don't have your agenda so packed that you can't leave room for dancing in the rain or for meeting random people and deciding to go on an adventure with them! Make sure you have enough flexibility for weather or just in case you get tired and need some relaxation. 

5. Get over your fear of failure

Solo traveling is one of the most challenging adventures because you sometimes have a set plan in your mind of how things should go but in reality usually 50% of your plan actually gets followed through with. 

6. Push yourself

I know that sounds insane that you are already pushing your limits and now I am saying to do so even more? Trust me, don’t be afraid to go even farther outside of your comfort zone when you’re by yourself. Now don’t go doing anything crazy like jump off a mountain without the proper PPE, but seriously do something that older you would be proud of instead of wishing you did it when you get home from your trip.

7. Treat yourself

At the end of the day, you chose to do this trip for yourself so you might as well make the most of it! You don’t have to do anything insane or go above and beyond your financial means in order to treat yourself. It could be something as simple as changing up your diet for the length of your trip or doing a new activity you've always wanted to try.