There are some times when we want to do something but what we read, hear or believe limits us with all the preconceptions we have about it.

Traveling is something that appeals to many people but there is also too many who feel afraid to travel because they think they need to do it with someone else, or traveling alone is dangerous and boring. Many men are afraid to travel alone, but this article is here especially for the women who want to travel but for different reasons are afraid to do so, this is for you to know you can travel alone.

Especially those who have grown up in Spanish-speaking societies or inside a culture with strong Catholic influences and with a lot of machismo present, if you are one of those you’ve probably heard or read since you were very young things like: ‘as a woman you are better at home taking care of your husband and children (yes, believe me, even in this century that kind of words are heard loud and clear in many places on this planet) or it is very dangerous for a woman traveling alone.

I called some awesome women and travelers who love to travel alone, they feel to live experiences independently and they are here to tell you that if you want it, you can travel alone as a woman and it can even be a wonderful experience !

Join us!

 

Melissa from the Blog A Broken Backpack

I am dealing with anxiety and I travel

My first backpacking experience was a solo trip in Europe. On my very first day, I remember that I called my dear Mom and I asked her: «Why did I make that decision? Why am I here? ». I also cried.  She was full of good advices and she told me not to worry.  Day after day, I started to enjoy my trip.  Quickly, I realized that travel was the best way to calm my stress and my anxiety.  Why, you may ask.

I found out that the only way for me to be in the present moment is to travel.  There are new stimulations every day and you don’t have the time to worry about anything.  You literally just have to worry about what you want to do/see/check on your bucket list.  Since that very first experience, all the next trips have been accompanied by tears on my way back home on the plane.  Every day, every local/backpacker/traveller, every place and every shock turn my trip (and my life) in a wonderful adventure.

I have the chance (and I chose) to be grateful for everything my eyes can see, for everything my heart can feel. If it, sometimes, scares me, I also know that I am even more scared  of having regrets later.  I don’t want to wake up one day and think I should have done it when I was  younger or healthier.  If life is too short to worry, life is also too long to wait…

You can also find her on her Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest

Carlotta from the Blog Nomads Wind

To all the ladies out there, before giving you any advice, I might introduce myself. I’m a little hypochondriac.

I’m scared of animals that I don’t know. I’m scared of heights, planes, boats and wild drivers, and I often have catastrophic movies in my head about things that can happen.

Even so, I managed to live in 3 different countries and to spend the last year hopping around Southeast Asia and guess what, I’m more alive than ever! I’m the living proof that girls can travel solo. I’m not saying that the world is danger-free, but there are much fewer dangers than you might think!

My first tip is to not let your fears stop you. I know that the idea of leaving for a foreign country is scary but, after the first couple of steps, everything come naturally. To make things easier you should have a plan A and B: mishaps happens when you’re on the road, it’s normal, but to everything there is a solution.

Remember that something unexpected can lead you to something great. Keep in mind that the there are plenty of solo female travelers and you’ll surely meet some of them in hostels, buses or anywhere along the way. There are also tons of travel communities with people meeting up everywhere in the world. If you really want company, it’s easy to find it. Try to cut some time for yourself though, it’s unbelievably useful!

Study a little about the culture that you’re going to encounter, make sure to dress and behave appropriately to keep away unwanted attention. Be smart, trust your guts, be aware of your  surrounding and you will have an awesome time!

You can also find her on her Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest

 

Laura from the Blog Savored Journeys

I remember the first time I decided to travel solo.

I wanted to go to Croatia. I was really excited and determined, but there was a nagging fear in the back of my mind that was hard to ignore. The best advice I could give to someone looking to travel by themselves is not to ignore the fear.

Try to identify what it is exactly and address it before you go. My biggest fear was the language barrier, so I made sure to book an English-speaking hotel and pre-book a few excursions with English guides. That eased my mind tremendously, and when I got there, I realized there was nothing at all to be worried about.

You can also find her on  Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

Nikita from the Blog Life in Transcience

Reach out before you go.

Talk to people who have already been to the area you’re looking at, and try to avoid talking to fear-mongerers who are only aware of the latest tragedy on the news. Remember, any place will sound dangerous if only the negative is publicized. Random acts of kindness are rarely spoken of by the media!

You also shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself. Even if a two-year hitchhiking trip from Egypt to India sounds awesome, there’s no shame in starting with something smaller. Maybe start with a tour, and leave yourself a couple of weeks to explore solo. By that point, you’ll probably have made friends to travel with, if that’s what you’re looking for.

And last of all, remember the moral to almost every Disney movie ever: Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but acting in spite of it. Book that ticket, and you’ll already be a badass.

You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest

 

Francesca from the Blog One Girl One World

I know what it feels like to struggle with fear and doubts about traveling solo.

I feel it every time I plan a solo trip abroad. Those pesky thoughts that ask “what if __ happens?” or “what if you feel lonely?” are thoughts that probably go through every female traveler’s head! But my motto in life is “do it afraid” because sometimes you just have to look fear in the face and walk right past it.

Traveling alone is amazing because it opens you up to meeting other people, especially locals. It’s also great because it’s your time to shine! No asking for permission, no compromising on activities, no eating at restaurants you don’t care to eat at. It’s liberating and if you take necessary precautions, it can also be quite safe! If you need more inspiration and advice, you can check out my blog One Girl: One World! See you there!

You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

 

 

After reading us….Are you still afraid of traveling by yourself?

You can travel alone, do it!

 

 

Have you ever solo travel before? Did you found this tips useful to you? Would you give another tip to someone afraid of solo traveling?