As an avid solo traveler, many people ask me how to get started and for me solo traveling is like second nature, but for many it's terrifying. If you are terrified of traveling alone would you hire someone to walk you through it?
Being terrified of your travels is the worst possible way to start a journey. Although there are an abundance of online resources to help someone address these valid concerns, speaking to an experienced traveller or digital nomad is an effective way of personalising the concern.
I've been travelling fulltime for five years and am happy to share my experiences and knowledge in safe travel. Let me know if I can help!
Thank you for your comment and it can be quite terrifying at first even with too many resources available. It still requires pure individual will to take the leap, which Im sure you now know, was so worth it.
If I think back to my first solo travel experience, it wouldn't have happened without some firm encouragement from a good friend of mine. In 2006 I was couchsurfing at a friend's place in San Diego for a climate research conference, and was told sternly "you have to go discover San Francisco!". I reluctantly arrived at the Green Tortoise hostel in SF, and the rest is history! This is the reason (longer story - see my bio) why Travel Massive exists.
My biggest fear of traveling solo was not being able to make friends or starting a conversation. I'm a computer scientist, and it took years to build up my confidence in social environments outside of tech. It was solo travel that helped me overcome my anxiety in social settings. So I have a lot to thank for travel and that trip by myself.
Whether it's a friend, a travel agent, a coach, or a consultant — really it's about getting that nudge (or shove) to push you out of your comfort zone.
It does require a nudge to actually do it. Of course getting some external help is always a plus but nothing can make us do anything. We have to want to. That was my experience when I traveled solo for the first time in 2016 and you are right that having a fear of not making friends is real. Whats amazing is once you actually take the leap so many beautiful tings start to emerge like meeting great people. I cant wait to read your story on how Travel Massive was conceived.
I also remember the first time I traveled solo. It was daunting at first, but then I learned to love it. But yes, I think I would hire someone to walk me through it if it was my first time. Or even just talking to travelers for encouragement
Yup it truly is daunting at first, and I too loved it immediately. I asked this question because so many people I know have a desire to solo travel but they have a ton of fears that do require some help with getting through. some people are okay with getting on a plane alone, but are terrified to walk around a place they know nothing about. Others are great with getting somewhere but have a hard time getting themselves involved in activities and other adventures.
I guess it mainly depends where you travel to. If it is a European country where each can easily find buses, trains, between cities and public transport in the city, sightseeing, museums, etc it is quite easy to traverl solo. In the destinations where online purchase of services is not that developed difficulties can come up which would terrify. So everything depends on the destination.
Yup you are 100% right in that it definitely depends on where you are going. That changes everything and you I think do have to have a few trips under your belt to travel to places that are more underdeveloped or just different from what is considered normal for you. The destination absolutely matters.
My first solo travel was to a familiar country where I already knew how to get around, and then soon after to stranger places. I find that I learn best when I've experienced it on my own and when I took one step at a time, from a big luggage to a small luggage to a backpack. Didn't think I'd get to become a real solo backpacker eventually!
I do have friends who asked me to go with them on trips, where I taught them the ropes of solo travelling, sometimes leaving them to go explore on their own. At the end of the day, I think they're lucky they had me, a friend who solo travels and could give them advices. I didn't know any for a period so I tried to figure it out myself. I think it would have been great if I could have someone to teach me like a friend at the start, in this case a consultant as you said.
Destination familiarity: If you're traveling to a place you're unfamiliar with or have limited knowledge about, a travel consultant can provide valuable insights, recommend itineraries, and offer guidance on logistics and local customs.
Time constraints: If you have limited time for trip planning and prefer to have someone else take care of the details, a consultant can save you time by organizing flights, accommodations, activities, and transportation arrangements.
Specialized knowledge: If you have specific interests or requirements for your trip, such as adventure activities, cultural experiences, or dietary restrictions, a travel consultant with expertise in those areas can tailor your itinerary accordingly.
Comfort level: If you're feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about traveling alone for the first time, a consultant can offer reassurance, answer your questions, and provide guidance on safety precautions and travel tips.
I'm curious, for those of you who were just starting out with solo traveling, what resources do you typically use to plan out your trip and understand safety precautions, etc?
When I was planning my career sabbatical to take a year off and travel solo, I hired a coach who had done the same thing and helped guide me through the process. She had a Facebook group as well for all of us going through her program at the time so it was also helpful to have like-minded women of all different ages and places going through similar situation and cheering each other on. While I had found most of the information she provided online through blogs; however, the guidance and support from her and the group was the most meaningful part.
As an avid solo traveler, many people ask me how to get started and for me solo traveling is like second nature, but for many it's terrifying. If you are terrified of traveling alone would you hire someone to walk you through it?
Absolutely!
Being terrified of your travels is the worst possible way to start a journey. Although there are an abundance of online resources to help someone address these valid concerns, speaking to an experienced traveller or digital nomad is an effective way of personalising the concern.
I've been travelling fulltime for five years and am happy to share my experiences and knowledge in safe travel. Let me know if I can help!
Hi Triv,
Thank you for your comment and it can be quite terrifying at first even with too many resources available. It still requires pure individual will to take the leap, which Im sure you now know, was so worth it.
Good question.
If I think back to my first solo travel experience, it wouldn't have happened without some firm encouragement from a good friend of mine. In 2006 I was couchsurfing at a friend's place in San Diego for a climate research conference, and was told sternly "you have to go discover San Francisco!". I reluctantly arrived at the Green Tortoise hostel in SF, and the rest is history! This is the reason (longer story - see my bio) why Travel Massive exists.
My biggest fear of traveling solo was not being able to make friends or starting a conversation. I'm a computer scientist, and it took years to build up my confidence in social environments outside of tech. It was solo travel that helped me overcome my anxiety in social settings. So I have a lot to thank for travel and that trip by myself.
Whether it's a friend, a travel agent, a coach, or a consultant — really it's about getting that nudge (or shove) to push you out of your comfort zone.
Hi Ian,
It does require a nudge to actually do it. Of course getting some external help is always a plus but nothing can make us do anything. We have to want to. That was my experience when I traveled solo for the first time in 2016 and you are right that having a fear of not making friends is real. Whats amazing is once you actually take the leap so many beautiful tings start to emerge like meeting great people. I cant wait to read your story on how Travel Massive was conceived.
Thank you for sharing.
I also remember the first time I traveled solo. It was daunting at first, but then I learned to love it. But yes, I think I would hire someone to walk me through it if it was my first time. Or even just talking to travelers for encouragement
Hi Erin,
Yup it truly is daunting at first, and I too loved it immediately. I asked this question because so many people I know have a desire to solo travel but they have a ton of fears that do require some help with getting through. some people are okay with getting on a plane alone, but are terrified to walk around a place they know nothing about. Others are great with getting somewhere but have a hard time getting themselves involved in activities and other adventures.
Thank you for sharing.
I guess it mainly depends where you travel to. If it is a European country where each can easily find buses, trains, between cities and public transport in the city, sightseeing, museums, etc it is quite easy to traverl solo. In the destinations where online purchase of services is not that developed difficulties can come up which would terrify. So everything depends on the destination.
Hi Nune,
Yup you are 100% right in that it definitely depends on where you are going. That changes everything and you I think do have to have a few trips under your belt to travel to places that are more underdeveloped or just different from what is considered normal for you. The destination absolutely matters.
Thank you for sharing.
My first solo travel was to a familiar country where I already knew how to get around, and then soon after to stranger places. I find that I learn best when I've experienced it on my own and when I took one step at a time, from a big luggage to a small luggage to a backpack. Didn't think I'd get to become a real solo backpacker eventually!
I do have friends who asked me to go with them on trips, where I taught them the ropes of solo travelling, sometimes leaving them to go explore on their own. At the end of the day, I think they're lucky they had me, a friend who solo travels and could give them advices. I didn't know any for a period so I tried to figure it out myself. I think it would have been great if I could have someone to teach me like a friend at the start, in this case a consultant as you said.
Destination familiarity: If you're traveling to a place you're unfamiliar with or have limited knowledge about, a travel consultant can provide valuable insights, recommend itineraries, and offer guidance on logistics and local customs.
Time constraints: If you have limited time for trip planning and prefer to have someone else take care of the details, a consultant can save you time by organizing flights, accommodations, activities, and transportation arrangements.
Specialized knowledge: If you have specific interests or requirements for your trip, such as adventure activities, cultural experiences, or dietary restrictions, a travel consultant with expertise in those areas can tailor your itinerary accordingly.
Comfort level: If you're feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about traveling alone for the first time, a consultant can offer reassurance, answer your questions, and provide guidance on safety precautions and travel tips.
I'm curious, for those of you who were just starting out with solo traveling, what resources do you typically use to plan out your trip and understand safety precautions, etc?
When I was planning my career sabbatical to take a year off and travel solo, I hired a coach who had done the same thing and helped guide me through the process. She had a Facebook group as well for all of us going through her program at the time so it was also helpful to have like-minded women of all different ages and places going through similar situation and cheering each other on. While I had found most of the information she provided online through blogs; however, the guidance and support from her and the group was the most meaningful part.