Tips for Your First Trip Solo

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If you want to go somewhere and nobody wants to go with you, go alone. You’ll meet new people with similar interests. Traveling alone is one of the most enlightening experiences a person can have. You push yourself out of your comfort zone and into a new place filled with new experiences that can expand your worldview. You have plenty of time by yourself to reflect and get to know yourself in a new and different way. It’s great.
 
If you want to plan a solo trip, you’ll need to pick a place and a way to finance it. But that’s not all-- traveling solo requires smart packing and extra safety measures to protect yourself. Here are the things to never forget when planning your solo trip.
 
Consider a Capsule Wardrobe
 
What is a capsule wardrobe, you say? A capsule wardrobe is a collection of classic, basic clothing all in a similar color scheme. All the pieces go together and you can create various looks with layering, mixing and matching. Generally, people use a lot of neutral tones and maybe one or two pops of their favorite color. Each item should be of the highest quality you can afford-- you don’t want seams splitting or threads unraveling on your trip.
 
When packing for your trip, limit your shoe choices to three maximum. Which shoes you take depends on where you’re going, with the exception of comfortable walking shoes. When you travel, you’ll always want to bring along a pair of shoes that won’t kill your feet if you get lost and have to wander around a bit.
 
Also pay attention to the materials that make your clothing. Things that wrinkle easily like silk and linen aren’t the best. You’ll want something that keeps its shape and looks good right out of the suitcase. After all, you don’t want to waste your time traveling with unnecessary ironing.
 
The benefits of a capsule wardrobe are many. You have outfit diversification so you feel and look good. When everything matches, you don’t spend time picking out what to wear. Finally, a capsule wardrobe can easily fit into your carry-on luggage. No need to worry about scrambling for resources in case the airlines lose your bags.
 
Secure Yourself
 
Traveling alone can be intimidating-- some might even call it scary. But as long as you prepare properly and stay smart, there’s nothing to fear. One of the best things you can do to prepare yourself is research. Look up the place you’re going and learn as much as you can about the area. Ask your hosts or hotels which neighborhoods to avoid when you get there. Additionally, researching customs from the area will help you not look like the tourist you are. Pickpockets and thieves target those who don’t blend in-- so blend.
 
Just as pickpockets target tourists, burglars target vacant homes. Be sure your house or apartment is safe while you’re gone with a trusted house sitter. If you don’t want a house sitter or would rather not spend the money, there are a few things you can do to deter thieves. Ask one of your neighbors to park their car in your driveway. This will make it look like there’s some kind of traffic coming in and out of your home. Additionally, a capable alarm system will save you loads of worry. If a burglar tries to break in, both the authorities and yourself will be notified.
Redfin.com has more tips on how to protect your home while on vacation.
 
Since you’ll be alone, it’s important that those you love know where you are. Share your itinerary with close friends and family. It’s not enough to rely on social media check-ins for them to be informed. In fact, it can make things more dangerous as criminals are better able to track you. If you are traveling outside of the country, contact their US Embassy and let them know you’re coming. They should also be the first people you contact in case of emergency It’s also a good idea to leave a note of where you’re going, who you’re going with, and what time you plan to be back in your room while you travel. If something happens, it will be an important asset for finding you.
 
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Traveling alone is incredibly rewarding. While it has its specific challenges, with the right packing and planning you can have an amazing and safe trip. The secret to doing this is planning. If you prepare for any situation, you’ll be able to handle it. Now, get out there and bon voyage!