Many people around me have taken up the adventure, for the majority of them, Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Although New Zealand is somewhere I do want to go to some day, I wanted to go somewhere where I wasn't likely to bump in to someone that lives on the same street as me, many many miles away.
Canada. I always imagined Canada as the picture perfect place. Lakes, Mountains, Forests, Wildlife and just lots of greenery. Another factor for going there is that I don't really get on well with heat and sun, so really Australia is out, although Canada does get hot, it's the ideal heat and although some days it was really too hot for me, I dealt with it. Before going, I had planned to go with a friend, which I thought at the time it had to happen that way. I had never been travelling before, never been on a plane and before of my anxiety if someone was there with me I would feel a lot better knowing that I had someone and if I had an anxiety attack then someone to look after me. A few months before I was due out to fly, the friend backed out, now I had already booked the flight and a couple of days at a hostel for when I got there. Panic set in and I didn't know what to do.
Although I want to see the world i'm not an adventurous person, I love my home comforts and a safe surrounding in which I know. I don't know if that's to do with my anxiety or just the way that I am from being brought up in a small village and not travelling/going on holidays with my parents.
Taking the leap to go by myself really was like jumping off a cliff and not knowing where I was going to land. I finished work a week before I was due to start travelling and the weekend before my flight, mid week, I had an event so I kept busy right up until I had to go, which for me, was the best opinion as I didn't have time to really think about it and start panicking more than I was already.
To be honest the first few days are all a blur, after I got over the jet lag it was then the time where I realised I was by myself, in a other country, not having a clue where anything is or what is around. But then I realised it's Okay, I didn't need someone else, I could go at my own speed, go wherever and whenever I want. I felt free, I mean I was still scared but it wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be.
Travelling alone, is the biggest accomplishment of my life so far. I met so many different people from around the world, so many stories they had to share about places they've visited, activities they've done. No one is ever short of conversation. When your on your own it focuses you to talk to people that you probably won't talk to back home, as when you're with someone else or a group of you, you might just feel comfortable talking between yourselves.
There were however I few times when I would have been great to have someone you actually probably know with you when your experiencing some amazing things, and not someone you met yesterday. But it makes for brilliant stories for when you are back at home or next time you chat.
I did have a few panic attacks when I was out there but the majority of travellers are amazing and they will try and help you in any way that they can.
Rules/tips for travelling (just a few I found helpful);
- Write a diary, theres so many different things just happening in a day, which some could be forgotten. For me, I don't want to forget. The good and the bad made the experience.
- Take photos, where you've been, the people that you've met, adventures you find your self in, its so good to look back
- Stay in touch, for the people back home they will be worried, no matter how old you are, even if your in a group. It helped when I was feeling alone and people back home will be wondering where abouts you are and what you've been doing. For me, I liked to know what was going on back at home as well.
- Don't be scared to ask questions
- Yes, you can eat alone without people thinking you're strange. Trust me no one will really notice you are by yourself. Take a book, organise what you're doing next, think about your day.
- Be scared, for most its a horrible feeling but think about what you'll feel like after you've do it. For some people its bungee jumping for me it was just travelling
- You will be fine
Travelling alone taught me so more about myself and what am I doing with my life, I had time to reflect and sort my head out. It really is an amazing feeling.
Good luck for all those that are going travelling or doing something new. You will be brilliant.
Until next time,
Sophie
