HOW TO TRAVEL ALONE AS AN INTROVERT

Everyone has a preference for how they like to travel. Some people enjoy traveling with friends or family, some prefer to go solo, and others don’t want to travel at all. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how you can make the most out of your next trip -whether it’s solo or with the company- as an introvert.

Who is an introvert? An introvert is someone who prefers less social interaction and does their best work alone. They recharge by spending time alone. If you’re an introvert, you might have noticed that you’re more easily overwhelmed by too much sensory input from being around people for too long.

For those of us who are introverts, there are ways to make traveling fun and exciting. Traveling alone can be a great way to explore new destinations, but it can also be intimidating. As someone shy, I have to travel alone quite often. To help others who are introverts, here are some tips for traveling solo that helped me.

Introverts vs Extroverts

If you aren’t sure if you’re an introvert or an extrovert, there are a few simple tests you can take that can help you determine what kind of traveler you are.

How Do You Feel During Presentations?

The first test is whether or not you would thrive more in an extrovert or introvert type of environment. You might not know that right away, but if you can answer this question honestly you may be able to determine how you tend to travel as an introvert. If you feel more at home when surrounded by other people, you are most likely an extrovert. If you don’t like being the center of attention and you’d rather spend your time studying or relaxing by yourself, you are likely an introvert.

?Why Travel Alone?

Traveling solo can be a great way to see the world. You will not be bothered or pressured by crowds. You will have more time to relax, take your time, and appreciate the places you visit. It can be an amazing experience for both introverts and extroverts.

Why Focus on Introversion and Introversion Therapy?

I am an introvert. This means that I often feel drained when I am around too many people for too long. When I travel alone, I can travel at my own pace and not worry about whether I’ll meet someone to travel with. If you’re an introvert, you might feel the same. Introversion Therapy is a theory that explains why introverts are so different from extroverts.

?What To Expect When Solo Traveling

Whether you’re traveling alone, traveling with a group, or both, be prepared for the unexpected. Make a mental list of everything that might happen. Maybe the flight is delayed, or you get stuck in traffic. You’ll need a backup plan for the unexpected. If there is a long layover at the airport or you’re stuck in traffic, make sure you have your coffee or snacks to keep you occupied.

As an introvert, you may not feel like talking to strangers or going on group tours. Think of your planned trip and map out your path. If you don’t feel like the tour guide or other travelers are fun, don’t do it. It may be a good idea to take a trip with a buddy if you are traveling solo, but don’t feel obliged to do it. You don’t have to go along with the group activities.

?How to Prepare For the Trip

Before your trip, think about what you’d like to do and the route you want to take.

Figure out a good walking distance from your accommodation to the nearest city. Use your smartphone to research places to eat near your location.

Start packing well before your trip! Traveling solo requires you to have a good travel bag and suitcase. Other things that you will also need are;

• A quality camera if you’re traveling for work/solo, an iPad if you’re traveling with friends, or a small tablet or a portable keyboard if you’re traveling with friends or family.
• A portable charging pack/power bank to keep you topped up on your phone, tablet, and laptop.

Travel to your destination for the first day/night. Plan in advance. Pack lots of tea or coffee (or hot chocolate for a chill night) to stay energized all day.

?How to Manage Alone Time

If you’re an introvert, you’ll probably find that travel can be a lot harder on you than on others. That’s because most introverts are more sensitive to sensory input than extroverts are, so they’ll probably feel more overwhelmed by big crowds or loud noises.

If you’re traveling on a budget, you can save money by visiting where you can walk from place to place. If you need some ways to stay sane, you can save money by leaving the room as soon as you’ve finished what you came in for and catching the next flight back home.

As a solo traveler, you don’t have to be the one making the plans. Many great apps can help you plan your trip, from TripIt to PocketWizard.

?What To Pack

When traveling alone, you’re not by yourself. It’s okay to have friends, family, or a partner to travel with. But, if you’re the kind of person who likes being able to retreat to their room and work on their laptop, then going alone can be an interesting way to see the world.

When you’re traveling alone, you don’t have to pack so much. There are so many options for the technology available that makes traveling easy and stress-free. You can use an app like Airbnb that connects travelers to local hosts for accommodation. You can download one of the many great guided walking tours. Or, you can use a great online version of the Lonely Planet guide.?

Finding Your Balance

Before I discovered how to travel without anxiety, I was a complete wreck whenever I left my home. I would often get sick before any flight because I’d worry about what would happen if there were no seats left on the plane. In the end, I’d end up having to just stay home and not take any risks. Even if I knew that I was taking a flight that I would be comfortable with, I would still stress out because I would have too many anxieties surrounding the possibility that I wouldn’t be able to sleep, or I wouldn’t be able to focus on my work for the first 24 hours I was in a foreign country.

I was too sensitive and wound up not enjoying the trip I was on. However, after learning how to travel without anxiety, I found that being alone and going places alone were able to be enjoyable.

?Conclusion

Traveling alone can be scary, but it can also be exciting. If you don’t like going to new places and meeting new people, consider traveling with your close friends. There’s also nothing wrong with traveling solo if you have a compelling reason to go.

One important thing to remember when traveling alone is to look at your surroundings. Try to connect with other people at the same airport as you, or on the plane with other passengers who share similar interests. This will help give you a sense of security. Many great apps can make you feel less anxious and stressed.

Takeaway

There’s nothing wrong with traveling alone if you have a compelling reason to do so. Having a compelling reason to travel alone may be to explore new places, or find solitude.