Eight Tips for How to Get Started as a Solo Female Traveler
Canyonlands National Park, UT
I absolutely love to travel!
Traveling solo has become one of my most favorite ways to get outside. Exploring new destinations feeds my soul on many levels. It fuels my craving for learning and trying new things; my desire to understand and learn from different cultures; and my appreciation and love of nature and diverse landscapes.
You want to travel solo but you’re not sure where to start.
Here are my top eight tips for getting started:
Start Small – Adventuring on your own for what might be the very first time can be daunting for many. My advice is to take a day trip to somewhere familiar. By doing so, you build confidence and courage in your ability to go it alone. Then, take a day trip to somewhere you’ve never been before. This requires you to be ok with being uncomfortable, which is another great way to build confidence. Next, expand to multiple weekend trips. Before you know it, a week-long or multi-week trip won’t feel as scary. And, if you’re really jazzed about traveling solo, maybe you try traveling for a month or more before jumping into full-time.
Safety First – Feeling safe while traveling solo, especially as a female, is extremely important. Because you will be in unfamiliar territory, you will most likely hear strange noises, and your network of friends and family (who you typically call upon during distress) are no longer in the next room or a short drive away. You need to understand what is going to help you feel the safest. While I was traveling solo in my camper, I kept multiple weapons within arms reach just in case. They included kitchen knives, my backpacking knife, a can of bear spray, a metal water bottle, and the leg to a pedestal table. For some, this might seem like overkill. For others, this might not feel like enough. Either way, trust your gut instincts. If something feels off, leave. And figure out what will work the best for you so that you can sleep soundly at night.
Stay Connected – Having cell service while traveling solo is important for many reasons: the first being safety (see above); the second being researching your surroundings and things to do; the last being staying in contact with friends and family. Check your cell service provider’s coverage map while you’re planning your trip. Another way to stay in touch is to share your experiences with others through your preferred communication platform(s) (e.g., social media, text messages). Just be mindful of not sharing your location until you’ve changed locations – again, safety first.
Practice Resourcefulness – Being resourceful goes a long way when you’re on your own. You need to be a problem solver, you need to remain open-minded, you need to be assertive and persistent, you need to know your limits (physical, mental, and emotional), and you need to be ok with the uncomfortable and the unknown. Because you will face unforeseen obstacles (like a flat tire) that you will have to overcome. How you handle the less than spectacular events while on a trip will influence how your day goes and even how the rest of your trip goes. Take each hiccup one hiccup at a time, and maybe laugh out loud to yourself after the stress or frustration has passed.
Expect the Unexpected – The unexpected is going to happen, it just is. Staying level-headed, accepting your reality, and laughing at a situation will go a long way. Once while traveling in upstate New York I rented a bunk at a hostel. Upon my arrival (which was late), I entered the shared space where an older man woke up from a deep sleep and started yelling at me. I was startled and embarrassed. Eventually, the elderly man realized what had happened and apologized. It took me a while to calm down afterward, but I eventually fell asleep. How you handle stress is an important indicator of your resiliency.
Zero Days – Know that you can rest when you need to or take a zero-day. Notice when you feel exhausted, when you lose interest in exploring, or when you just want to binge-watch Netflix. These are just a few signs that you need to slow down and rest. Honor and trust your body’s request and resume your adventures the next day. Another way to look at this is slow travel. Instead of trying to cram everything into a condensed schedule, allow yourself to take your time. Also, let go of FOMO. Because you can always return at a later time if you so desire. Lastly, naps are always a great way to chill for a bit (one of my favorites!).
Stick to a Schedule – Oftentimes we don’t realize how regimented our schedule is until we don’t have one. And we don’t acknowledge how that very schedule (we sometimes despise) helps us feel safe and secure. Basically, it helps to keep us grounded energetically. If you’ve ever traveled and haven’t had a bowel movement, your body is trying to tell you something. By establishing a schedule that resembles the one you follow at home (e.g., wake time, bedtime), you’re reassuring your body that everything is okay. And when your body feels safe (parasympathetic nervous system), you’re better able to relax and enjoy your time away from home.
Bring a Prop – Keeping your mind and hands busy while out and about will reduce boredom and anxiety. I love to read so I usually take a new book or a few with me (You could also take an e-reader). I prefer the softness of a book in my hands and the feeling of flipping pages. Another option is to bring knitting, crochet, or a needlework project. You could also set up a slackline, bring a hula hoop, a mountain bike, or a yoga mat. As a last resort, you can always occupy downtime with a movie, television series, or audiobook.
One more tip! Just get out there and give solo travel a try. You’ll be glad you did!
Bottomless Lakes State Park, NM