Nervous about solo travel

LegacyUser

I'm heading off on a solo trip halfway across the world next week and i'm absolutely sh*tting it. In the few months leading up to it, I've been nothing but excited and have read non stop about the places i'm going but now that it's nearly here i'm feeling a mixture of dread and nervousness. I've read that it's easy to meet people on solo travel, but i'm quite shy so I just keep having these thoughts that I'll be on my own all the time. I've booked ahead in a hostel for my first few nights, but I just have a feeling I'll be so overwhelmed that I'll just go into my shell and not strike up conversation with anyone. Are these feelings normal before solo travel? I should be happy and positive but i'm a bundle of nerves which doesn't seem right!

Hoochiemama

These feelings are TOTALLY normal. Its always really nerve wrecking going off on your own. You are leaving your comfort zone, your security blanket.... Trust me its SOOOOOOOOO easy to meet people. I know you have heard this but I cant stress how easy it is.

This is not like trying to meet people in Ireland or something. You have to remember that in these hostels, everyone is in the same boat! Everyone else is away from home, away from what they know and there to meet new people.

It will probably be a bit daunting and you might feel a bit awkward for a few days but you will fall into the swing of it and I promise you something, you say you are shy.... by the time you come home, that will be a trait that will no longer belong to you. Travelling solo gives you amazing social skills.... I feel now I can walk into a room of people I don't know and just chat away to anyone. Something I could never ever do before I traveled alone.

Have a great time travelling. Its one of the most amazing things you will do.

Enjoy, embrace, and remember, feel the fear AND DO IT ANYWAY

thegreatgonzo

It's totally normal to feel that way, you are starting a big big adventure:-) I have travelled alone a lot and what helps me keep the fear away is to plan as much as I can with the idea that all these plans can be changed once I get there. So when I arrive in a city I can already visualise how I am getting to my accommodation and then what sights I am going to visit first. That way there isn't this enormous chunk of time ahead of me to feel lonely in. I'll also have some easy read books with me so if I find myself with an evening alone ahead of me I won't mind because I can snuggle down somewhere with the book. I have to say I have rarely had problems meeting people in hostels and have made great friends that way. Where are you going btw?

kob29

Buy this months Psychologies magazine, there's a very relevant article in it.

TwoGallants

OP, I moved to Spain by myself and have met a whole load of people. In Ireland everything was very stagnant, the same bunch of mates going back years, everyone settling into boring white collar middle class lives. No enthusiasm for life, no interest in its potential, just everyone doing the expected thing all of the time. This was my reason for getting out in the first place. When I started to travel, I began to meet people who shared my philosophy. You'll be surprised. I'm relatively shy, but travelling solo has taught me to overcome my innate reserve and go for it. Whoever said 'feel the fear, and then ignore it' is a genius by the way, it really is that simple! Good luck!