Traveling Alone?

[Tim W]

Hello.

I want to see more of the world by traveling by public transport. I don't have a very clear vision for my life nor a well-defined life purpose. The problem being, I don't really have anyone to accompany on my journeys.

It feels awkward to have this conversation with someone:

"What was your weekend like?"

"Great, I've been to X."

"Oh, what were you doing there?"

"Just exploring. On my own."

I don't know how to overcome these situations and I want to step out of my comfort zone but I don't know how.

Does anyone have experience with traveling on your own? What is it like?

[ZenMonkey]

@Tim W In my opinion traveling alone is even better. At least once when you start. You just get so much confidence and experience out of it because you have to manage everything on your own. And you can focus on yourself.

Having no concepts is great. You can just follow whatever comes up. You don't have to plan a lot. I love this way of traveling. Just following what feels right in the moment.

I am currently cycling around the world. And I do it alone. I am already seven month on the road. And by now I am happy I went on this journey alone. I also don't have really fixed plans.

If you want to travel for longer you could also hitchhike instead of using public transportation. That saves money and you experience more.

[Sarah Marie]

@Tim W Traveling alone sounds amazing to me! I used to be a "people" person, now I love to be alone every second I get. I am sure you'd meet many people on your journey who will be amazing.

[Emily]

After I finished uni I did one of those standard round-the-world routes. Started off with a friend but she ran out of money half way through and frankly was miserable anyway. When she left I started having the best time. Felt so liberating being able to please myself, do what I want, talk to who I want, go where I want...

Since then I've done a lot more solo traveling around Asia and South America. Doing another round-the-world trip starting in April, including training to be a yoga instructor, probably in India. I have a friend who wants to come with me for part of it but I'll leave before her and if her (or my) plans change I'll happily do it alone. 

You meet some fantastic people from all different cultures, and it's pretty eye-opening. Highly recommend it if you can get over the initial fear 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Emily said:

After I finished uni I did one of those standard round-the-world routes. Started off with a friend but she ran out of money half way through and frankly was miserable anyway. When she left I started having the best time. Felt so liberating being able to please myself, do what I want, talk to who I want, go where I want...

Since then I've done a lot more solo traveling around Asia and South America. Doing another round-the-world trip starting in April, including training to be a yoga instructor, probably in India. I have a friend who wants to come with me for part of it but I'll leave before her and if her (or my) plans change I'll happily do it alone. 

You meet some fantastic people from all different cultures, and it's pretty eye-opening. Highly recommend it if you can get over the initial fear 

I travel alone no matter where I go. Later in life, when I have more money, I will do exactly this too. I will travel around the world...alone. But even now I love being alone. Sometimes I take 6 hours long walks alone in nature, going far. Something is just magical about journeying alone.

[Rosie]

@Emily I absolutely agree, I just been to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro all alone, in on of the most dangerous places in the world and nothing bad happened, except I have met so many interesting people and situations it's unbelievable. Travelling alone is amazing as you can decide about your own rhythm and you can learn many things you never believed would be possible. Amazing confidence booster.

[Emily]

4 minutes ago, Rosie said:

@Emily I absolutely agree, I just been to Brazil, Rio de Janeiro all alone, in on of the most dangerous places in the world and nothing bad happened, except I have met so many interesting people and situations it's unbelievable. Travelling alone is amazing as you can decide about your own rhythm and you can learn many things you never believed would be possible. Amazing confidence booster.

Hi Rosie. I also did Rio alone. You definitely have to keep your wits about you when it comes to crime out there but as long as you're sensible (ie don't go to dangerous places alone at night like Copacabana beach / the Favellas), it's all good  

[FindingPeace]

On 20/02/2016 at 11:02 PM, Tim W said:

It feels awkward to have this conversation with someone:

"What was your weekend like?"

"Great, I've been to X."

"Oh, what were you doing there?"

"Just exploring. On my own."

Travelling is a personal experience anyway. You don't have to converse about it with anyone. It doesn't need validating. And if people think you're weird then you're talking to the wrong person about it.

I would love to travel alone. I don't think one can truly be present and mindful when having to 'accomodate' or consider other people at the same time. I find it detracts from the experience. Causes distraction. What better way is there to get in touch with your true self and to fade out the ego than by going it alone, experiencing and taking in the world without having to express your experience it to anyone else.

[Tim W]

@FindingPeace Thanks for the advice. I will try to create some plans to travel, and perhaps even share my experience in here as I feel like the people on this forum are very honest and resourceful.

[Irina Irina]

@Tim W I 'm reading " No more mr nice guy" and the author encourages to spend weekends alone in a place that no one knows you. It's for "nice" people like me, but I think it's good for everyone.

Edited March 12, 2016 by Irina Irina

[Endew]

This is a great oppurnity for you to grow and become best friends with yourself.

[growthaboveall]

I HAVE DONE EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT FOR THE PAST 8 MONTH (10 countries) TRAVEL ALONE 

seems like you have social anxiety or limiting beliefs holding back... it has been amazing btw

 

[drunkenfr]

I have a plan to travel around the globe too, I'm 36 years old, most of people at my age wouldn't be able to travel like they all have family to take care or financially unavailable, I feel so weird travelling along and a little insecure as well, not sure how people can travel along while having fun, what kind of philosophy and mentality should be equipped with?

[clytaemnestra]

Try with the club of travelers or something like that. I wanted to travel for a NY, and everybody wanted to be somewhere locally and doing nothing, so I found a buddy at a site and we went on a trip together.

And always you have things like couch surfing and so on where you can meet locals and explore the culture better.

[Rodrigo]

You think you  "don't have a very clear vision for my life nor a well-defined life purpose" but that is as valid as thinking you do.Most people who think they have a well defined life purpose and a clear vision for their life are exactly in the same place you are. Now you have nobody and wish for someone, tomorrow you have somebody and wish for someone else...this is where thinking too much will lead you, believe me.Enjoy solitude by thinking it is good and stop thinking about other people thoughts because they are not yours to care for (unless they put food in your plate). Awkward is your illusion, control it. I traveled alone a lot and it never bothered me so it shouldt bother you too because you are only as different from me as you want to be.