Tips and tricks for traveling alone
Their names are Nellie Bly, Annie Londonderry, Laura Dekker, Sarah Marquis, and Amelia Earhart, and like them, thousands of women set out to explore the world every year. On foot, on horseback, by boat, by bike, or by plane, these inspiring and determined icons prove that travel has no gender and that with willpower and a little elbow grease, we can all achieve our dream of adventure. But if travel is possible for everyone, what stops some from taking the plunge? Here are some tips and tricks for traveling alone for the first time.
Why are people afraid to travel alone?
Traveling alone can be an enriching experience, but many people are afraid to take the plunge. Solo women are afraid of traveling alone for a variety of reasons. They fear the unknown, encountering bad people, feeling isolated, or not knowing how to navigate a new city. Remember one thing: fear doesn’t prevent danger. In this context, it’s always good to trust your instincts and to take the plunge while remaining vigilant. Here are some of the obstacles women encounter.
Fear of insecurity for a solo female traveler
The first problem a woman encounters when she wants to travel is her fear of insecurity. The unknown is frightening. We never know what might happen to us, whether at home in everyday life or on the other side of the world. So, when in doubt, many women give up on traveling. It must be said that the media isn’t helping. Television news reports report numerous assaults in France and abroad. A climate of mistrust and fear is taking hold in many minds. In 2013, the media picked up on the various rapes that occurred in India. The number of solo female travelers to the country fell by 35%, according to the New York Times. Conversely, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) produced a report that ranked India far down the list of countries at risk of assault, behind countries bordering France. The best thing to do if you’re hesitant about traveling alone is to gather the testimonies and experiences of women who are used to doing it. Those who have lived the experience will be the best at telling you about it. Others will always have bad advice to give you, and they will fuel their fears through your laudable ambition.
An example of solo travel
Traveling solo can be a rewarding experience, but for those looking for independence and a sense of community, a team backpacking trip to Bali is a great alternative. This concept allows you to join a small group of like-minded travelers who share the same aspirations for adventure and discovery. Together, you’ll explore the island’s rice terraces, iconic temples, and idyllic beaches, all while enjoying the safety and support of a group. This approach offers the best of both worlds: the independence of solo travel and the camaraderie of a shared experience. Additionally, traveling as a team backpacker makes it easier to meet locals and engage in authentic activities, enriching your cultural immersion in Bali.
What mindset should you adopt?
So there’s no need to be constantly on the defensive, thinking that everyone who approaches you wants to harm you. Most of the people you meet are sincerely kind. If you have doubts about someone, avoid misunderstandings as much as possible, topics of conversation related to sex, parties, and don’t kiss strangers. You can also copy the attitude of the women in the country you are visiting. For example, adopt a dress that is adapted to the local culture to blend in with the surroundings.
Before you leave, regardless of the country, even if you are traveling alone in France, do your research on the country to assess the level of risk. To do this, several websites can provide you with information, such as France Diplomatie. If your trip is well-prepared and documented, there is no reason not to travel alone.
The fear of loneliness when traveling alone
Fear of loneliness is one of the main reasons women avoid traveling alone. Yet, traveling alone can be one of the most enriching experiences you’ll ever have. Traveling alone doesn’t necessarily mean being alone all the time. There are plenty of opportunities to meet people and enjoy activities, both solo and with others. As you will have understood, solitude is only an illusion. You can travel alone by choice, but solitude while traveling is not a reality. It is possible and especially very easy during a trip to find traveling friends for a day, a week, or several months. See solitude as a strength rather than a constraint. The relationship with oneself is very different from the moment you leave your comfort zone. Far from all the preconceptions about oneself and women in general, when you are alone while traveling, you are forced to draw on your resources, and you discover enormous courage. If the first solo trip can be distressing, rest assured that one day, during your stay, you will find yourself in a place, in the company of someone, or in a situation that will make you say:
Traveling alone for the first time,e the fear of not being able to adapt to the country visited
During your trip, your certainties will certainly be shaken up because each country has its own culture and history, its customs and habits, its codes and developments. It is important to know how to stay in your place and not to want to impose your style in a country where you come as a simple tourist, at the risk of appearing disrespectful.
For example, while dressing however you please may be seen as an act of resistance to help women who don’t have the same rights as you, it seems to be irrelevant if you don’t know the culture of the country you’re immersing yourself in. You’re in a foreign country as a tourist, and it would be counterproductive to the struggles of the real locals to try to take on their problems. You’re the one who decides to travel; it’s up to you to adapt.
In any case, you have to know how to remain humble. Traveling alone is, above all, learning from the environment in which you evolve. You will probably be confronted with injustices that are more or less significant in your eyes, depending on your personal experience. You will witness inequalities between men and women in some countries, poverty in others, and sometimes even violent situations.
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