How to Conquer Your Fears And Experience the Joys of Solo Traveling

Guest Post:  Irene Downey
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Have you ever been in a situation where there is a destination you want to travel to, but you don’t have someone to go with you? Like your friends are too busy at work or can’t leave their kids to go with you. Does the idea of traveling alone seem terrifying to you? If so, you are not alone.

 A lot of people are scared to travel by themselves for various reasons. Some people simply fear for their safety, and being alone in an unknown country seems scary. For others, this fear has to do with anxiety and feeling they simply won’t be able to manage on their own on the trip.

Whatever your fear is, it's time to conquer it and experience the joys of solo traveling. And we will give you some helpful tips for that in this article.

Accept Your Fear
The first thing you need to do is stop thinking of your fear as something fatal. While it may seem like your fear is overwhelming and you will never travel by yourself, you have to try and be calm.

Don’t let your fear overpower you and cloud your judgment. Instead, accept it as something normal. Because it is completely normal, and many people experience it. Especially women.

For them, traveling alone is even scarier. But don’t let this get you down. Try to look at it as a challenge you need to conquer and believe you will succeed. Once you allow yourself to think that you can do something, your chances of succeeding are higher.
 
Just Think of Everything You Are Missing Out On
If you need a little push to inspire you to conquer your fear and experience the joys of solo traveling, then just start thinking of all the things you are missing out on. There is so much beauty in the world that you should see and experience, like the Pyramids in Egypt, the Great Wall in China, The Eiffel tower, the Colosseum, etc.

You can also visit some awesome places in America, like Grand Canyon, New Orleans, scenic places in Northern Virginia, and so much more. The world is so big and exciting, and it would be a shame to miss out on exploring everything it offers due to fear. Let your wanderlust be more potent than your fear.

Research, Research, Research!
Often our fears and anxieties are connected with uncertainty. Going into something unknown, where you don’t know what to expect, can be terrifying, like traveling alone to a new place.

But luckily, today, that can be easily solved. You can thoroughly research the destination for your trip before going there. And not just the destination, you can find tips and information on the whole experience, including getting the tickets, getting on the plane,  figuring out accommodation, etc. 

Many travel bloggers today film their whole trips to a particular place. And chances are there will be a video about the destination you want to go to. These videos are an excellent tool for calming your fears and removing the factor of uncertainty that scares you.

Remove Any Extra Stresses and Concerns
A positive mindset is fundamental when you are about to do something you are afraid of. You don’t want to go on that solo trip being worried about other things, as it will only add to your fear and anxiety.

So, before you leave, make arrangements to ensure everything at home is okay while you are away. If you have pets, make arrangements on time, so you know they are taken care of. Ask friends to pet sir or find a good dog care center.

If there are relatives you care for or are worried about, arrange everything before you leave. Make some precooked meals, pick up their medicine prescription, and ask friends to be there if they need something.

Also, don’t forget to protect your valuables at home. If you have some expensive and delicate things, you want to ensure they are safe while you are away. Rent a storage unit for those items, but ensure it’s safe with alarms and cameras.

Experience The Joys of Solo Traveling by Taking Small Steps
The key to overcoming your fear is small steps. If you fear solo traveling, you should go on a big overseas solo trip. That can only traumatize you and make you even more scared. The better approach is to start small and gently.

Make your first solo trip somewhere nearby and not longer than two days. A weekend trip is a good idea here. This way, you will know that home is close by, and you can return quickly.

You will see that once you succeed at this, it will give you the confidence to attempt something more challenging. Little by little, you will feel more at ease when traveling alone, and you will overcome your fear.

You Don’t Have to be Completely Alone
While you are on a solo trip, that doesn’t mean you have to be lonely. Thanks to technology, you can stay connected to your family and friends wherever you are.

You can Facetime, Skype, or text whenever you feel scared or overwhelmed during your trip. In those moments, talking with a family member can calm you down and put you at ease. Having a support system like this helps.

In Conclusion
​You shouldn’t let fear stop you from doing things you want. Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. Everyone should experience the joys of solo traveling at least once in their lifetime.

It’s about being prepared and accepting your fear as completely normal and natural. Research your destination before you go there and make arrangements for things at home. That way, you will be less stressed while on the trip. And know that you can always talk and facetime with your friends and family whenever you feel scared.

Author Bio:
​Irene Downey works as a writer at Helix Move VA, composing valuable articles for their audience. She is passionate about traveling and likes to spend her time visiting exciting destinations with her husband and their eight-year-old son.

Images Pexels
 

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