Travel Plans

Going Solo: New Friends in Newer Places

When you tell people you’re going travelling, one of the first things they ask you is who you’re going with. It’s a standard question; who’s going to be taking your photo in front of the respective famous landmarks? Who are you going to share those long plane/bus/train journeys with? And, perhaps most importantly, who’ll be watching your bags when you need the toilet?

Word of warning: don’t leave your bags with sleeping beauties

It’s a popular opinion in today’s society that you need to be part of a couple in order to be happy. If you’re single, you’re repeatedly asked about relationships and whether there’s anyone on the horizon, as if that’s the most defining element of your personality. Speaking as someone who’s been devoid of a real relationship for a good few years, I know the trappings of being in this state. I also know how dangerous these conversations can be: when you start believing in the words of these loved up questioners, and begin to think that your life really might be valued on the merit of whether you happen to be seeing someone. As you regret all the nights spent on the sofa, and wish for a bright and shiny male friend to whisk you away into couple-land, you can also start to lose sight of all the joys that come with being single.

The ability to be impulsive is at the single traveller’s immediate disposal, and makes life a hell of a lot more interesting. Unlike those in a relationship, the lucky singleton gets to swan off at a mere moment’s notice because they don’t share a flat or a bank account with any significant other. Now, I’m not known for being the most impulsive person in my day-to-day life, but when it comes to travelling, anything goes. During my first internship I suddenly realised I hadn’t been abroad for over six months, and within the week I’d decided to go to Iceland to help out at a music festival.

Working the photographer’s gauntlet. The staff tee was not my choice.

Quite apart from being an awesome destination that I’d always wanted to visit, it also doubled up as being the perfect explanation for my life post-internship. Whenever my colleagues broached the subject (which was immediately awkward because I knew at that point that they weren’t going to offer me a job) I was able to breezily boast about my upcoming travel plans. And, as ever, was duly faced with the interminable question,

“So, who are you going with?”

I was working at a travel company. Everyone working there had done more than their fair share of backpacking. For the most part, my answer of “I’m going by myself” was met with nods and smiles, which was a welcome change to the norm. Except for one woman who, somehow feeling the need to burrow deeper into the topic, kicked off with such gems as,

“Hang on, why aren’t you going with your friends? Why would you want to go to Iceland by yourself?”

Yeah, who’d want to go here?

Ok, so obviously it’s lovely to share a trip abroad with someone. And of course I would have loved my friends to come with me. But there was no way I was going to pass up such a strangely wonderful opportunity to go to Iceland just because I didn’t have a back up squad! And that sentiment rings just as true every time I feel like travelling. What if none of your friends have the money or time to travel when you do? And what if they’d prefer to head off on a city break to somewhere you’ve already been, while you’ve been lusting after that trip to the Amazon for the last three years?

Most importantly, being independent enough to travel by yourself is often the gateway to an even more incredible adventure.  Every trip I’ve taken solo has resulted in meeting more people and creating firmer friendships than I ever have when I’ve travelled with people I knew before I left.

There are six nationalities here. All travelling solo, and all equally drunk.

Solo travel may be a disregarded option for many people, and you may feel a tad vulnerable and scared of the idea at first. Ultimately, though, travelling by yourself gives you a huge boost of confidence,  heightens your self-awareness and makes you way more outgoing.  Which is why I looked at my work colleague slightly pityingly and replied,

“I’m going travelling alone because I want to. And why the hell not?”

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9 Comments

  • Reply
    Ceri
    March 1, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    So true. When people ask, “Won’t you be lonely?” and you reply, “Well, you meet people when travelling”, there’s always that doubtful look in their eyes. I think people who’ve never travelled solo before don’t realise how many people you genuinely do meet when you’re alone. 🙂

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  • Reply
    Milena
    December 1, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    Hello, I really love your blog, it’s very inspiring. I just wanted to know: How did you meet these people while in Iceland? My question might seem stupid :/
    Well, I’m 19, I’ll start uni in 2 years to have a paper but as you, the idea of working in an office from 9-5 everyday is terrifying ! I love traveling, and would love it to be part of my job. Until graduating from Uni, I’ll travel but I’m a little anxious with the idea of traveling solo. I’ve already done it, to some european countries but I’m not sure of my abilities in other countries.
    That’s why I would love to have a few advice from you!!
    Thank you so much,

    Milena.

    • Reply
      Flora
      December 19, 2013 at 4:03 pm

      Hi Milena! Your question doesn’t sound stupid at all 🙂 My first trip to Iceland I took part in a volunteer program (working at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival), which is why I met so many people there. If you’re worried about making new friends when travelling, or about travelling solo in general, then volunteer projects are a wonderful way to get started. In fact, the vast majority of lasting friendships I’ve made with people around the world have been through volunteering programs, so I’d highly recommend it!

      If you have any more questions then send me an email (go to the contact page on the site) and I can answer in more detail 🙂 All the best!

  • Reply
    Gary Cartzdafner
    February 1, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    I agree completely….I met so many people and was turned on to so many adventures in Thailand that it was difficult to stop and return home.

    Keep up the adventures, spirit and writings

    btw…what happens when you turn 31ish? HA! 😉

    • Reply
      Flora
      February 5, 2014 at 4:53 pm

      Oh I have NO idea what happens when I hit that milestone! We shall see…

  • Reply
    Melanie
    August 16, 2014 at 11:13 am

    Hi Flora! So happy I found your blog. I googled “travelling solo in India” and yours was the first site that popped up 🙂

    I’m curious to know how you support yourself through your travels? I hope this isn’t too personal of a question; I know that a lot of travel writers freelance. Do you also, and if so, what advice do you have on getting started?

    Happy traveling 🙂

    Melanie

    • Reply
      Flora
      August 21, 2014 at 9:18 pm

      Hi Melanie – yep, I’m a freelancer and also had a lot of savings to fund myself for the last few years of travel. I’d suggest writing as much and as often as you can, and scour the internet for freelance opportunities in copywriting etc to build up your portfolio and just work from there!

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