Let’s travel solo

So you clicked on this page because you want to see what's it like out there , And you’re probably asking yourself these daunting questions. Is it scary? Is it fun? Will I meet like-minded people like myself?

Now I am not going to romanticise the feeling of travelling alone But it can be romantic while you’re travelling alone ;)

And YES, it is scary at first, to pack up and leave everyone and everything that you know as normal and stable behind or in other words your COMFORT ZONE. And YES, it is going to be FUN, when you change your mindset to learn as you go but most importantly adapt and leave your privileges behind as well-( do not pack that with you). Finally, you will 100% meet like-minded people, after all, we left for a reason and we all want to create and experience unforgettable memories. I bet you want that too.

So I decided to travel solo for 9 months in this beautiful country the Philippines. Why the Philippines? Well, why not?. In doing so, I’ve come to learn a lot of lessons along the way and here are a few tips for you especially if you’re a rookie traveller like me.

The DOs and Don’ts

-Do it; that's right if you can think it then you can do it. My late dad always tells me ‘I can do it, you can do it ’ and that has given me the courage and the mindset that has helped me achieve crossing adventures off my bucket list. After all, life is an adventure in itself.

-Do not be afraid; in fact when you do feel scared and yet have that gut feeling of still wanting to do it then that’s when you will know it’s all going to be worth it. Never let FEAR dictate your life.

-Do prepare yourself the night before every night. This will help you stay track of your spending, activities and schedules. Always remember, if you fail to prepare then prepare to fail- I have no idea who said that but it came in handy.

-Don’t forget to earn money. This is something everyone is worried about even me, I mean that’s why I started blogging right?! the internet can help you find ways to earn money. I have had the privilege to meet content creators along the way and it is inspiring to hear their stories of how it started and how it's going and where they’re going. If you want to travel full-time, then better to start now than Never. I mean remote work is the future.

-Do be respectful and open to acceptance. The hard truth is, you will face challenges the moment you hop into the plane and say bye to everyone and everything that made your life some sort of easy. From that very moment, you have to accept things will change, from lifestyle, living expenses, currency, food, language, culture and so on. The only tip that can help you is to make challenges your best friend and overcome it concerning the country and the local people & travellers you’ve met along the way in return, you will grow as a person With better life experiences and stories to tell your children and grandchildren one day. Also, remember you’re representing your country wherever you go, please don’t tarnish the name or else it would be hard for your countrymen to visit places.

-Don’t get attached. The point of travelling is to see as many places, meet as many people, create as many memories and do as many things. Buddha once said ‘Attachment is the root of all sufferings’, so let’s keep the memories and keep moving my friend.

-Do seek and listen to pieces of advice. Always listen to the locals and follow your instinct, if they say it’s dangerous, do believe them, especially if you do not know any better. Talk to other travellers to find your bearings for your next adventure, and consider their recommendations or suggestions. Most importantly, be very careful who you associate yourself with, always be on alert or have your fight or flight mode turned on.

-Do not ignore the ratings of your stay/hostel/dormitory. It’s very important to check the ratings, reviews and locations. Keep in mind, you are paying for your safety and security.

-Do make friends with locals and other travellers and treat them how you want to be treated. Then only you will experience protection from locals and expand your understanding of local life. Also, there will come a time when you will need help so it’s important to have contacts. With that said I left my suitcase at my local friend's place and started travelling around because we establish trust and bond but remember not everyone is trustworthy, and again trust your intuition and instincts.

-Don’t forget to pray, and practice patience and gratitude. This will soothe your soul, get you less irritated and change your mentality on the outlooks of life, so you will do less screaming and more enjoying the ride of being a solo traveller.

That's it, my friends, I hope this has given you a bit of courage of booking a one-way ticket and escaping that 9-5 mundane life. And before I forget do not overpack but at the same time do not forget your drone, go pro, selfie stick and other devices that will document this time of your life.

Good luck & I hope to cross paths with you.