What’s the solo scale?

This is a scale you’ll see on dining & experiences which rates how awkward / comfortable you might feel with doing this alone. This is subjective and varies by person, but hopefully it can give you a starting place as you plan your trips.

Are you an expert on these destinations?

I’m lucky that I’ve had the privilege to travel to plenty of destinations between work & personal travel, but I would never say that I’m an expert because there’s always more to see, do, try, and learn. I don’t know the exact ins & outs and all the minutia. What I am becoming an expert in is finding joy and coping with the anxieties and fears that come up solo travel.

Do you always travel solo?

While I may head out to a destination solo, I can confidently say that even being on the extreme side of introversion, I’ve never been alone in any destination. I’ve been lucky enough to travel with friends & family and often when I seek new places, I’ll find a group tour that gives me the chance to meet so many new people. Even when I’m solo and without a group, you’d be amazed how easy it is to make quick connections.

Where have you travelled to?

I’ve done extensive travelling in Canada and to various states in the United States (with a heavier focus on the Eastern border, the states surrounding Colorado, and California). I’ve also been to Europe many times, with a deep love for France & Italy to the point I try and return as much as possible. I’ve started to expand my borders with recent trips to Central America & New Zealand and hope to keep pushing further in the future!

What’s the scariest part of travelling alone?

Even for someone who’s travelled extensively, that doesn’t erase the fears. After the lockdowns, even I found myself feeling anxious. Is the world safe? Will I get sick? Will people still be kind? These fears were (and are) very real, but they also shouldn’t hold you back from having the experience. With me, the old adage holds true — Practice Makes Perfect. The more I got out there again, the more my fears lessened.

I get anxious thinking about being out there solo. What can I do?

There’s going to be a lot of things that you can’t control. There’s no getting away from that. What I do is focus on the plans I can control. Often, you’ll have to compare and contrast money versus time, and occasionally safety. If you feel safer taking a taxi or another form of transit instead of walking, that’s a trade-off for you to do.

Anxiety can be difficult and often inexplicable. You can try using meditation apps or other calming options, but just remember that you can only control so much and having plans (and sometimes back-up plans) is the best that you can do!

What’s the first thing I should do when travelling solo?

Because you’re taking the trip on your own, one of the most important things you’ll need to do is some self-reflection and ask what it is that you really want to do and see. Ignore your social media feed. Ignore what other people recommend that you do (yes, even blogs like this). Understand what is important to you and then begin to make your list and seek out the research you’ll need to build your itinerary.

How can I enjoy a trip when I’m out there on my own?

Just like the above answer, one of the most important things is figuring out what it is that makes you happy. Is it reading a book in a beautiful location? Is it trying out incredible new foods and meeting the amazing locals? Is it the history of your destination or the culture you’re soaking up?

Be present and you’ll be rewarded with incredible memories that you’ll cherish forever.