All about solo-travel

Image Credit: Doug Loynes, pictured in his trip to Antartica 

How it helps shape your identity and everything else you might want to know.

Solo travelling is not a new concept for people as it has seen a massive rise lately. Seems that everyone you know, or their mother, has taken a “life-changing solo trip”. Travelling is the starting point for many people to start questioning their everyday lives and routines, and in fact, the solo aspect of travelling is where most of the transformation happens. It can be easy to romanticise travelling by yourself, but what is it actually like? Most importantly, does this style fit you, and how can it shape your identity? From adventure to solitude, to forming connections and dealing with loneliness on trips, this article will leave you with a better sense of what to expect, both emotionally and practically.

Where to Start?

Image Credit: Dina Jasini

Research is everything. You can’t properly explore a country without knowing a bit about its history and how to get around while there. Just ask Dina Jasini, UK-based lawyer turned traveller, who believes research is the first step to a great trip. “It’s important that you read and do thorough research on the country you’re visiting. Learn about the local customs, laws, and potential safety concerns,” Dina says. Make sure to take a bit of time to figure out what it is you actually want to see while there. Would you like to immerse yourself in the culture and learn more about the day-to-day activities of the country you’re visiting? Maybe, you’d like to be the complete opposite of the person back home who wants to experience something different and unconventional. Either way, this is when research comes in handy, so you know exactly what the country offers, how to find it, and most importantly, how to make the most of your stay.

What next?

The world is big. There’s so much to see and so many experiences waiting for you. Where do you head first, and how do you go about it in terms of budget or time? According to CBI, 89% of solo travellers book their trip independently rather than through an agency. That means dealing with everything yourself. “If you want to go on a longer trip on a tight budget, then planning is essential,” says Riva Gjecaj. “Some sacrifices in terms of comfort will be required, but they’re often the source of really fun stories.” At 30 years old, Riva has completed over 27 solo trips, so she knows her stuff. She started travelling at 17 and has some advice that doesn’t often cross people’s minds. “Solo travelling is associated with month-long trips to remote or far away destinations. But it does not have to be that way,’ she says. “I’d advise easing into it, rather than trips that require a lot of planning. This way, you’ll know whether travelling on your own is something you enjoy. If that is the case, you will find yourself thinking about the next destination sooner than you think.” The takeaway is that you can start small, and then go for longer journeys. You can find your travelling style and avoid wasting months of planning and saving, only to find that you don’t enjoy solo travelling as much.

Image Credit: Doug Loynes

How it shapes your identity

Personal growth and the feeling of freedom are the most common reasons for people to consider solo travel, according to CBI. There’s always a point in everyone’s life where they feel sort of aloof or unsure about their identity. Remembering herself at 25, Riva says “Having gone through a difficult year in my life where everything felt lacklustre, travelling was the only thing that somehow 'revived' me. If you do not fear self-discovery, then travelling in whichever form you can, including solo travel, will do good things for you.” It often serves as a means of escapism and an opportunity to reflect on life. In fact, even Doug Loynes, a travel writer, credits solo travel as the main influence on his personality today. “Growing up, I wasn't particularly well-travelled. It wasn’t until I took a gap year before university that I properly had the chance to go and see the world,” says Doug. “I saved up enough money to go backpacking around Southeast Asia. I went to find myself in Cambodia and ended up losing my mind (and most of my dignity) in Thailand at the full moon party. I was still a kid really, figuring myself out, but what I loved was the freedom and the sense of adventure. From then on, I was hooked.” Since then, it has made way for him to pour his love of travelling into his craft, which earned him the amazing job he has today, as a travel writer, and also pushed him to move from London to Rio de Janeiro. As Dina also mentions, “Travelling is all about allowing yourself to go with the flow and finding a balance between social interactions and personal time.”

Image Credit: Doug Loynes and Dina Jasini

What else to consider?

There are also some hard aspects to solo travelling. As Doug puts it, “The most challenging thing can be the solo part. The highs of a trip are better if you have someone to share them with.” However, he recognizes that going by yourself has other perks. “The beautiful thing about travelling is that you have the opportunity to meet like-minded people, and it can be an easy environment to make friends, especially at hostels where everybody is in the same boat,” he says.

“Just put yourself out there, speak to anyone and everyone, and you’ll find that the energy is more than reciprocated.” It’s also important to know that some places are more dangerous than others, but as Riva mentions, it all comes down to a simple factor “You need to apply a degree of common sense that you apply to dangerous situations in general. Moreover, as a woman, a certain degree of alertness should keep you out of uncomfortable situations. In the end, it's a matter of perception.” You should also keep in mind that travelling is unpredictable and, as Dina explains, “It can be full of surprises, so allow yourself a higher level of tolerance and also a positive mindset to make you feel more comfortable with whatever situation that may come your way.” She also raises a good point, that every traveller in the 21st century should keep in mind “I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to travel responsibly and sustainably, and to do your utmost to protect the environment around you.” We can see the world without helping to ruin it guys, keep that in mind.

If there is one thing you can take away from this article, it is to never limit yourself to new experiences. You can take a lot from this world and the people that inhabit it. Go out there, educate, immerse yourself and have fun!