I’ve always loved traveling and ever since I started this blog, I thought of ways to travel more. To check all of those places off my bucket list so I could share it here. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I’d have to be willing to do some of these trips by myself.

Traveling with Others

Majority of the times I’ve traveled has been with family so I’d rarely branch out to meet new people while on vacation. That’s because being social can be difficult and awkward for me. With family (and friends) who have know me for a long time, it’s easier to talk with them. But sometimes, they may not be able to to go with me on vacations. Sometimes when I want to go somewhere the timing or money may not work with my travel buddies whether that be family or friends. Or said travel buddies just don’t want to go where I want to go.

Another reason is, sometimes I just want to go alone. There are things I want to do that I don’t want to feel rushed through. And I don’t want to make someone feel like I’m dragging them to tag along with me.

For the New Orleans cruise trip I was originally expecting to be the first one in New Orleans for a few hours. It wasn’t a solo trip but I planned an itinerary for myself until my friends came. Later, one of my friends booked an earlier flight so I no longer had to do my itinerary alone but I did have to push it back by two hours.

Because of this, we got sidetrack with doing other things. I didn’t get to all that I planned. It was fine but if I was by myself, I would’ve done everything I wanted.

I won’t deny that this may make a bit of a control freak.

An Introvert Who’s Afraid of Being Alone

I am an introvert, meaning I like to be by myself some – okay, most – of the time.  However, when I’m on vacation, I like to do it with friends or family because ultimately I’m creating memories with them. Much of my recent travel has been about reconnecting with friends from college. We all live in different states across the country. I don’t have many friends where I live locally so traveling is way for me to actively socialize and catch up.

Even though I’m introvert I do like social gatherings, occasionally. However, I prefer them with people I know. When I’m with a friend or loved one, it’s easier for me to talk to others and meet new people. If I’m alone…well, I tend to stay to myself.

That’s one of the reasons why I keep hesitating on traveling solo. As I mentioned in my “What to Expect” post, every time I’ve traveled “solo” I’d meet up with a friend eventually. It’s either that or I’m purposefully visiting a friend. I supposed I find comfort in knowing someone I know would be with me.

If I even think about going somewhere where I don’t know anyone, I start to panic a little. Isn’t that strange? An introvert who’s afraid of being alone?

Social Anxiety

The same thing that holds me back from solo traveling is the same thing that holds me back from going to an event that’s just down the street from my house: social anxiety. The idea of being in a room full of strangers causes my heart to beat fast. Imagine that feeling with a whole city or even country full of strangers.That feeling would be amplified especially if I’ve never been there (or don’t know the language).

Being in the city isn’t the scary part, it’s getting the courage to ask for help, directions, and suggestions. Not to mention, I don’t trust anyone and I’m a woman so I feel like that makes me skeptical of pretty much everyone. This of course makes it harder to meet people and make friends. Not just in travel but in life. It can be lonely always being on guard.

I like my alone time but I don’t like feeling lonely.

On the Flip Side

With all of that being said, while the idea of traveling solo scares me, it also excites me. I feel like I’ll have the freedom to door more of what I want to do.

The joy of planning the itinerary to go to different museums or restaurants or gain new experiences starts to edge out that fear.

As an example, I saw something about the Afrofuturism exhibit at the National Museum of African American History & Culture on TikTok. The museum was a place I wanted to go to one day but now with this exhibit only being available until March of next year, I want to make a trip to Washington D.C. sometime soon. I already know my family wouldn’t necessarily go with me because it would be too soon money-wise. Majority of my friends live on the West Coast or Midwest so flying or driving to D.C. might be a stretch for them. And it’s on short notice. Honestly, this is a trip I wouldn’t mind going by myself.

I’ve been to Washington D.C. at least twice as a kid but the thought of planning out where I want to go and finding new place to eat makes me want to book the trip and not wait for anyone.

It may be a little impulsive. I found that I have less fear when I’m impulsive. And when I have things planned thoroughly.

Of course, I’m still thinking – or overthinking – about transportation, how safe these areas are, and what to do if for some reason I am in danger. But all this overthinking is not stopping me from wanting to go.

Be Like Nike and “Just Do It!”

I’m still socially awkward, I still have anxiety, and I might be lonely on these trips. But then again I might not. If you’re like me, maybe we should just jump in and take the trip we really want to take. Obviously, I’ll still plan it out thoroughly and send my itinerary to my family but as long as there’s semblance of a plan I think things will go smoothly.

This is how overthinking can be helpful, right?

Have you traveled solo before? What was your first time like?

If you haven’t traveled solo, where’s a  place you’d want to take your first solo trip (even if it’s just an event one town over)?