For many, solo backpacking is at the top of their bucket lists, but they can’t quite make the first steps into solo travel. Plunging yourself deep into adventure, trekking off beaten tracks and places that most people have never heard of, is terrifying for most people, but also one of the most rewarding experiences that you can go through.
But it’s not easy; there are many challenges and lessons involved with backpacking, from budgeting to what to pack. Going into this blind could affect the experience, making it a lot rockier and even dangerous if you do not know the basics of solo travel, what to look for and pack and how to keep safe.
So, if you want to start your adventure solo travelling, here are the lessons you should learn from and the challenges that you may face when you embark on your adventure, how to overcome and prevent form them and learn from real examples so you can have the smoothest solo travel journey and see how you can be rewarded for stepping outside of your comfort zone and truely experiencing nature without distraction.
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Common challenges
When solo backpacking, no matter how much you prepare, there will always be challenges that you face along the way, but without these, it’s impossible to learn and grow from them. However, there are some common challenges that you can try to avoid through planning and making good choices that transform your experience.
- Not packing correctly– Many solo travellers face many issues when packing for their adventures. Where some may pack too little and end up spending hundreds on items that they have forgotten or just didn’t pack, but already own at home. Not only does this take up a good chunk of he budget, but it is also wasteful as now you have duplicates of products that you do not need two of. On the other end of the spectrum, many overpack, bringing way more clothes than needed, personal possessions and unnecessary items that are not needed when travelling. This leaves many with extremely heavy bad taht are uncomfortable or even impossible to carry, as well as no room for any cool finds that you may pick up on the way, such as local artisan finds and clothing or souvenirs for friends. This is why you should do thorough research when packing and remember to pack the important things, such as maps, first aid kits, and emergency supplies of food, which can become crucial in any bad situation.
- Mental and emotional hurdles– Solo travelling is what the name entails; however, it doesn’t mean that you should always be on your own. Solitude can lead to anxiety and boredom, which are very common side effects, especially if it’s your first time solo travelling. This is where making friends and communicating with locals can help. Not only can this give you a chance to connect with people to ensure that you care, not spending several days alone, but it can also help to calm any nerves so you are not terrified every time there is a rustle outside your tent.
Core lessons learned
There are some core lessons that everyone who solo-travels benefits from, including:
- Self reliance amd problem sloving– when you only have yourself and only yours to rely on and answer to, especially when it comes to making important decisions. Through working through these issues, no matter how large or small, you can learn to trust your own judgment and keep your cool through unexpected situations. When you’re in a situation where you have to persevere, this can move into your life when you are back home, making you a more confident and rounded person overall.
- The core identity– Although it’s a cliché that many find themselves travelling on solo trips, it’s actually true. Spending so much time with only yourself, you are forced to enjoy your own company. As well as this, exploring and learning about other countries and cultures can help you to become a more rounded and informed person. Overall, many return from solo trips their more athletic self, easy-going and unburdened by social performance.
Why is it worth it?
- Ultimate freedom– The freedom that you get from travelling alone and with total control over where you go and how long you spend there makes the experience truly unique. With no compromise needed, you don’t have to suffer with doing things that your travelling partner wants, making the experience completely your own and true to you.
- Discovering the world– With just yourself to buy tickets and accommodation for. Travelling the world is easier than ever. If you really live in a place, you can stay there for extended amounts of time, or if you want to divert from the original plan, you can easily see all that the world has to offer. You can explore with the help of your British citizenship and really explore the beauty of the planet you live on.
