How do I take that first step?

Keynotes:

-       Start simple

-       Practice being alone

-       Expand your horizon slowly

Alone.

It’s a word that scares a lot of people. Because of its meaning, because of the emotion it carries and because it’s a little bit daunting. But traveling alone is actually incredibly freeing. In this article, I am going to walk you through the steps that I took to end up being on the road for months, alone.

1.     Start simple

If you are completely new to doing things by yourself, choose something small to start your solo journey. Take yourself on a coffee date for example. Pick a time you know it won’t be busy. Or do the opposite, if you want to challenge yourself. I started doing this while at university, taking my study books and laptop out for a study session by myself. You get used to it so easily. So, take a book with you, and you’ll instantly feel in good company.

Take yourself on a coffee date!

2.     Try a short trip

Book an overnight stay, for just 2 or 3 days. Perhaps pick an accommodation you have visited before, or choose a city that is not too far away. While dreaming of further destinations, I practiced traveling alone by booking my first ever solo trip close to home: 4 days in Amsterdam. A 3-hour bus ride from Antwerp, but I had never been there before and I was excited. Dinner alone felt strange at first. I brought a book as a safety net and chose a window seat. But I didn’t end up reading. I just watched people walking down the street in the evening sun, had a lovely chat with the waiter and honestly enjoyed the silence.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2022

3.     Reflect on your trip

Writing about your experience helps you to process and learn. Ask yourself and answer honestly:

-       What did you like about this first solo experience?

-       What challenged you?

-       What have you learned and would you do differently next time?

-       What are some things you did/saw/heard/noticed that you wouldn’t have if you were with someone?

Take a notebook with you and prepare some writing prompts beforehand. This helps especially in tougher moments.

4.     Push the borders 

Book something a little further away. Maybe even take a flight, alone. I went to Dublin, Ireland for 5 days. That step felt pretty big: a different language, different culture and I had no plan at all. But I met really fun people during a fun night out and made friends the first evening I spent there.

5.     Expand your horizon 

Once you’ve built up your confidence, you’re ready for that bucket list trip. If you’ve made it this far, you can handle more. So, pick that dream destination, maybe 2 or 3 weeks away, and go for it. Mine was Bali, Indonesia. Ever since watching Eat, Pray, Love, I knew I wanted to go. That one month on the island changed everything. I came back feeling unstoppable.

Tegallalang Rice Fields, Bali 2023

Take as many steps as you need.

Go on 10 coffee dates with a different book every time, book 5 city trips in your own country or take 3 flights of under 3 hours to nearby countries. Follow whatever pace and rhythm feels comfortable for you and push your limits slowly. You will get there eventually.