The thought of solo travel can be scary at first. The idea of travelling around the world on your own, with no back up and no safety net to fall back on can be intimidating. But just because something is scary, that doesn’t mean there is actually anything to fear, and here is why you should feel the fear and do it anyway!
Solo travel, or at least the idea of it before you actually get out there and do it can be scary, I get that. There is a lot to worry about after all. You have the self doubt that you will be able to deal with situations. You worry about your personal safety. You are nervous about who you will be sharing those dorms with or how you will manage.
I get it, I really do. I get it because almost everyone feels the exact same way before they travel solo for the first time. Even me. Everyone has nerves. Everyone has doubts. That is completely normal.
But here’s the thing, that fear, that nervousness, is just a sign that you are about to embark on something pretty damn epic.
Just because something is scary, doesn’t mean it is the wrong move!
Facing those fears is not an easy thing, feeling the fear and doing it anyway is a nice slogan but it is a lot easier to say than actually do, but facing those fears head on and making that choice to stick two fingers right in its face is the single best way to grow as a person.
Kicking the door of that comfort zone down and striding out into the big bad world as a solo traveller is one of the most bad ass things you will ever do, and the experience will turn you into a God damn superhero!
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt.
And here is the big secret that every solo traveller discovers the second they actually get off that plane and start exploring. Solo Travel is actually not as scary as you first thought it would be. Solo travel is actually relatively safe. All of those problems you thought you may have, making friends, finding accommodation, doing activities on your own, all of these aren’t really problems at all, and you will start reveling in the freedom and the independence that solo travel gives you. You will find out that solo travel is pretty damn awesome!
And that nervousness you have is actually okay, because bravery is not the absence of fear, it is the full control of it.
“The secret of life is this: When you hear the sound of the cannons, walk toward them.” Marcel France.
The more you listen to your fear, the more you allow it to control your actions, the more power you give it. Don’t do that. Acknowledge your fear, respect it even, but don’t listen to it. Propel yourself forward, take that step, step outside of your comfort zone and travel the world solo!
You will not regret it.
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Michael Huxley is a published author, professional adventurer and founder of the travel website, Bemused Backpacker. He has spent the last twenty years travelling to over 100 countries on almost every continent, slowly building Bemused Backpacker into a successful business after leaving a former career in emergency nursing and travel medicine, and continues to travel the world on numerous adventures every year.
Bemused Backpacker 
This is so true! I was SO nervous before I travelled on my own for the first time, it was actually reading some of your past articles that gave me the push I needed to do it, but once I was out there doing it I felt such a feeling of accomplishment and I wondered what I was worried about. Keep inspiring people Michael!
Aw that is great to hear May and I’m so happy that my writing gave you a little push! You had it in you all along though!
I love that Eleanor Roosevelt quote!
She was one smart lady!
I really needed to hear this today you have no idea! I am determined that I want to travel this year, I saved up but put it off last year because my two friends dropped out and I am genuinely worried about going it alone (and my mum isn’t helping!) But this reminder will definitely help me just get on with it and stop listening to the fears. Thank you!
Sorry your friends dropped out Michelle but you can definitely do it without them, and they will be jealous as hell seeing all the adventures you go on! Their loss! Trust me, I understand the nerves, I really do, but you have nothing to be worried about at all. So many people set off on their own all the time. You can do this!
I think as much as fear can keep you safe and be a useful tool it can be a bit of a double edged sword too.
That is so true Brian.
Love this. Feel the fear and do it anyway! More people should live like this!
I don’t disagree!
What I love about traveling solo is that you get the exact experience you want. No compromises, no ‘putting up with’, you do what you want when you want. If you have a bad time then the only person you can blame as yourself. Yes you are right it is scary for most people the first time, for some probably even a few times after that, but it is so worth it!C
Very true on all counts Caitlyn!
This is SO true. Before my trip I had so many people tell me I shouldn’t be travelling alone. I had some people tell me it was too dangerous to travel at all, especially as a woman, and guess what? None of it was true! I had the best time of my life, never found myself feeling scared or threatened or out of my depth in the entire year I was away, I met some amazing people and had a blast, all on my own! I am now planning another bug solo trip through south america and I tell everyone, especially women, that they should take a big solo trip of there own!
That is amazing Lisa, thanks so much for sharing. 🙂 I here this all the time from women in particular, the fearmongering needs to end!
Thank you for this, I am travelling solo at the moment and am loving it, but I was so nervous before I went. Now I’m so glad I didnt listen to everyone who said I shouldn’t go or it would be too dangerous!
I’m glad you did too Sarah! Have an awesome time out there!
Love this advice! As soon as lockdown is over I’m going!
Thanks Joanne. Go for it!