By Lisa Thomas

When someone mentions they like to travel on their own, scenes from the movie Wild often pop up in our heads. However, not all solo trips involve self-discovery and healing. In fact, many people actually prefer to travel alone since that is the best way to relax, meet interesting people and rest without feeling guilty.

When you are out there on your own, you can do things at your own pace, without making any compromises. You can stay longer in places you like, read as many books as you want without worrying that your friend is bored, you can step out of your comfort zone and see things in a new light.

However, if you have decided to embark on a solo trip, make sure you avoid these common mistakes. Only that way will you have a completely positive experience.

Overpacking your suitcase

Since you will be traveling solo, no one will be there to help you with your luggage. That means you will be forced to drag your backpack or a suitcase all by yourself wherever you go. Therefore, make sure your luggage is not too heavy for you. Planning your outfits in advance will help you a lot with that. Only bring clothes for a couple of days, and figure out in advance where you can do laundry along the way. Also, pack items you can easily mix and match. 

Not being prepared for emergencies

Who knows what can happen on your travels and you surely don’t want to find yourself in the middle of a foreign country broke or injured.  A lot of things can go south, flights can be delayed and bones can be broken. It is always better to come up with an emergency plan than to be completely unprepared.

Before you take off, read posts about traveling experiences such as those you can find on Big Booty Fish, purchase travel insurance to make sure you’re covered if you get injured, make a stash of emergency cash you will keep somewhere safe, and share your itinerary with your loved ones.

Being too nice

We are taught not to raise our voices in public and to be polite to everyone, but if someone is really bothering you, don’t be afraid to toss those rules out the window and speak up. If someone wants to steal your purse or is harassing you in any way, yell if necessary, just do what you need to draw the attention of others. This usually resolves this type of problem very quickly.

Becoming too friendly too soon

Of course, you might meet new people along the way and stay great friends with them for the rest of your life. However, you could just as easily get scammed (or something worse) by your new acquaintance.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make any contacts with people, just make sure you stay in a public place whenever you are with your new friends. 

Falling off the radar

Roaming the world on your own is a great feeling, but if something goes wrong, it would be great if someone knew where you are. Therefore, share your itinerary with your loved ones before you go, notify them regularly about your changes of plans and stay in touch with them on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours on the phone talking to them. Just a simple message notifying them about your whereabouts will suffice. 

Wearing expensive jewelry

Maybe you love your diamond ring or you don’t go anywhere without your grandma’s expensive watch, but wearing pricy things will only attract the attention of pickpockets and thieves. Keep in mind that some people won’t hesitate to even hurt you to get to your possessions, so leave your precious things at home. 

Not being alert

Although you are on a vacation, you should control how much you drink. Drinking too much or even sleeping too little can cloud your judgment and lead to some bad decisions. Since your loved ones won’t be around to keep you safe, you need to look after yourself.

Hopefully, these tips will help you stay safe on your journeys. Have a nice trip!

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